Hepatitis B, also known as the Hepatitis B Virus or HBV, is a disease that attacks the liver. If left untreated, Hepatitis B can become chronic and cause liver damage and liver cancer. There is no cure as of yet, but prevention is possible through Hepatitis B vaccination.
If you are pregnant, Hepatitis B can be passed to your baby through the umbilical cord, or more commonly, from through the birthing process as your baby comes into contact with blood and vaginal fluid in the birth canal.
This is why it’s important to get tested for Hepatitis B as soon as you learn you’re pregnant – because you can prevent your newborn from contracting Hepatitis B through vaccination as soon as he is born.
However, like any medical treatment, Hepatitis B vaccination in your infant is not without it’s complications. Learn about the potential risks of administering the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns, and the factors a pregnant woman should consider in order to make an informed decision about her baby’s health.
