Quick Answer: Having HPV during pregnancy is usually not dangerous to your baby. Most people carry or clear HPV without symptoms, and serious complications like transmission during birth are extremely rare. Still, it’s important to follow up with your OB-GYN and understand your options.
Why This Matters: Real Talk for Pregnant People With HPV
Maybe this is your first pregnancy. Maybe your last pap smear was years ago. Maybe you just started dating someone new and thought everything was fine. Getting an HPV diagnosis while expecting can bring up shame, confusion, and fear, not just for you, but for the life you’re carrying.
But here’s the truth: HPV is so common that up to 80% of sexually active people will have it at some point, according to the CDC. Many people never know they’re infected because most strains don’t cause symptoms. And pregnancy doesn’t make you suddenly “bad” for having it, it just means it was found now because prenatal care includes cervical screening.
This article is for anyone who’s just been told they have HPV during pregnancy and is trying to make sense of what happens next. We’ll cover how it can affect your body, your baby, and your birth plan, plus what treatment (if any) might look like and when to worry (and when not to).
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Understanding HPV: Types, Symptoms, and What Pregnancy Changes
HPV is actually a group of over 150 related viruses. Some strains can cause genital warts; others are called “high-risk” because they’re linked to cervical changes or even cancer. The kind you have determines whether you’ll need monitoring or treatment.
During pregnancy, your immune system naturally softens to avoid attacking the fetus. This can allow dormant HPV infections to reactivate or warts to grow more visibly. It doesn’t mean you’re getting worse, it means your body is changing. Many pregnant people with HPV don’t notice anything at all. But for some, hormonal shifts may trigger flare-ups of genital warts or abnormal pap results.
Here’s what you might experience:
| HPV Type | Symptoms (During Pregnancy) | Risk to Baby |
|---|---|---|
| Low-risk (e.g., types 6, 11) | Genital warts may grow faster or multiply | Very low, even during vaginal delivery |
| High-risk (e.g., types 16, 18) | May show up as abnormal cervical changes on pap smear | Extremely rare transmission; concern is long-term cervical health |
| Inactive/latent | No symptoms, no active viral shedding | None |
Figure 1: Different types of HPV and what they mean during pregnancy.
Can You Pass HPV to Your Baby? The Real Risk Breakdown
It’s one of the first fears that shows up in your browser history: “Can I give HPV to my baby?” The good news is, this is extremely rare. Vertical transmission (mother to infant) is not common, even with visible genital warts or a high-risk strain. In most cases, babies are born completely healthy even when HPV is detected during pregnancy.
According to a study in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, transmission rates of HPV to newborns are low and usually do not result in symptoms. In the rarest cases, a child may develop a condition called respiratory papillomatosis, where warts grow in the throat, but again, this is a medical outlier, not the norm.
Your provider might recommend a cesarean delivery only if you have very large genital warts that could physically obstruct the birth canal or bleed excessively during vaginal delivery. Otherwise, vaginal birth remains a safe option.
When You Might Need Monitoring or Treatment
Most HPV cases do not require treatment during pregnancy. The focus is on monitoring. If your pap shows changes to your cervix, your OB-GYN may recommend a colposcopy, a closer look at your cervix under magnification. This is safe during pregnancy and helps guide what happens next.
If you have genital warts that are growing or causing discomfort, certain treatments can be used safely. Your doctor will avoid harsh chemical removers and instead may opt for cryotherapy (freezing) or a gentle topical. But in most cases, warts are left alone until after birth.
Here's how pregnancy care might shift if you're HPV-positive:
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Abnormal pap during pregnancy | Colposcopy to assess cervical cells |
| Visible warts causing symptoms | Possibly treat with cryotherapy or defer to postpartum |
| HPV detected but no symptoms or abnormal cells | No treatment; routine monitoring |
Figure 2: What changes in your care plan after an HPV diagnosis.
Can Pregnancy Make HPV Worse?
Short answer: sometimes, but “worse” doesn’t mean dangerous. Pregnancy changes your immune system to support the baby, and that shift can unmask previously dormant infections, including HPV. You might notice new or growing warts, or your pap smear might reveal low-grade abnormalities that were invisible before.
This doesn’t mean your HPV is progressing to cancer. It means your body is temporarily less aggressive about controlling the virus. Most of these changes resolve naturally postpartum, once your immune function rebounds. According to the National Institutes of Health, HPV-related cell changes often regress within 6–12 months after delivery.
That said, it’s important to keep up with any follow-up your provider recommends. Just because treatment is deferred doesn’t mean ignored. Think of it as paused, not canceled.
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“I Thought I Was Fine, Then My Pap Came Back Abnormal”
Marisol, 28, had never had abnormal pap results before. But at her 10-week prenatal appointment, her provider called her back in: “You tested positive for high-risk HPV, and there are some mild changes on your cervix.”
“I felt dirty. Like I’d done something wrong. I started crying in the exam room, I didn’t even know what questions to ask.”
Her OB explained that the changes were minimal and common during pregnancy. Marisol underwent a colposcopy at 14 weeks, which showed low-grade lesions but no need for biopsy or treatment. She was monitored every trimester and delivered a healthy baby vaginally, with no issues. Six months after birth, her follow-up pap came back clear.
This story isn’t rare. What felt terrifying turned out to be manageable. The key was staying informed, asking questions, and trusting the follow-up process.
How to Talk to Your Partner (Without Spiraling)
HPV brings emotional baggage. Maybe you’re wondering who gave it to whom. Maybe your partner feels blindsided or ashamed. The truth is, because HPV can lie dormant for years, it’s almost impossible to know when or from whom it came. Blame doesn’t help, clarity does.
Your partner does not need treatment unless they have visible warts or other symptoms. They cannot be “tested” for high-risk HPV unless they’re assigned female at birth and get a cervical swab. That doesn’t mean they’re unaffected, it means there’s no routine screening tool available for them. Focus on openness, not accusation. Many couples choose to use condoms during pregnancy for peace of mind, but HPV is skin-to-skin, not fluid-transferred, so barriers help but don’t fully prevent transmission.
If you're unsure how to start the conversation, try: “I just got my prenatal pap results and found out I have HPV. It’s super common, and most people don’t even know they have it, but I wanted to be upfront so we can ask questions together.”
What About Breastfeeding, Vaccines, and Long-Term Care?
Here’s the breakdown for what happens after delivery:
Breastfeeding: It’s safe to breastfeed if you have HPV. The virus is not transmitted through breast milk. Even if you have active warts or cervical changes, nursing is not considered risky.
Vaccination: If you haven’t received the HPV vaccine, you can ask your provider about getting it postpartum. The vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy but is safe while breastfeeding. It won’t “cure” an existing infection, but it can protect you against additional strains moving forward.
Follow-up care: You’ll likely get a pap smear again 6–12 weeks after birth, depending on how your pregnancy played out. If you had abnormal results, that follow-up becomes even more important. HPV can linger, clear, or reactivate, so this isn’t a one-and-done scenario. It’s a process, and you’re not failing just because it takes time.
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When HPV Affects Your Pap Smear During Pregnancy
For many pregnant people, HPV is discovered during a routine pap smear as part of prenatal care. This test checks for abnormal cervical cells, not the virus itself, but if your cells show signs of HPV-related changes, your provider may order HPV typing or a colposcopy.
Important to know: Mild or low-grade changes (like ASCUS or LSIL) are common in pregnancy and don’t mean you have cancer. These changes are often caused by your immune system adjusting and do not usually require immediate treatment. Monitoring is the norm, not surgery, not panic.
According to ACOG guidelines, procedures like colposcopy and biopsy are safe in pregnancy if medically necessary, but many OB-GYNs choose to monitor rather than intervene unless there's strong suspicion of high-grade lesions. This reduces risk to the cervix and avoids unnecessary procedures that may cause bleeding or discomfort.
Will You Need to Retest After Delivery?
Yes, and it’s a good thing. Your provider will likely recommend another pap smear around 6–12 weeks postpartum. This test helps see whether any abnormalities caused by pregnancy hormones are still present or have resolved on their own. In many cases, low-grade changes go away once your immune system stabilizes after birth.
If you had a high-risk strain of HPV or more significant cervical changes, your provider may recommend a more frequent screening schedule for the next few years. This does not mean you’re in danger, it means you’re being cared for preventatively.
Here’s a general guideline for retesting after pregnancy:
| Scenario | Postpartum Retest Timeline |
|---|---|
| Normal pap but HPV-positive | 6–12 months after delivery |
| Low-grade abnormalities | 6–12 weeks postpartum, then monitor yearly |
| High-grade changes | Colposcopy or treatment may be considered postpartum |
Figure 3: What to expect for HPV follow-up after your baby arrives.
What If You Still Test Positive After Pregnancy?
If your follow-up test still shows HPV, it doesn’t mean your body failed, it means it’s still working on it. Some people clear the virus within a year. Others take longer. What matters most is that you’re being monitored, and any changes are caught early.
HPV persistence is not rare. According to the National Cancer Institute, most HPV infections go away within two years, but some stay longer, especially high-risk types. That’s why regular paps and HPV co-testing are so important in the years following childbirth.
Your provider might refer you for a colposcopy if abnormalities persist, or discuss LEEP or cryotherapy treatment options once you’ve healed postpartum. These procedures are preventive, not reactive, and they save lives.
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Privacy, Shipping, and Testing When You’re Pregnant (or Postpartum)
If you’re juggling prenatal visits, baby prep, and emotional overwhelm, going to a clinic for every test may not be realistic. That’s where at-home testing can offer peace of mind, both during and after pregnancy. It’s discreet, fast, and lets you reclaim a sense of control over your sexual health.
At-home HPV testing is not yet FDA-approved in the U.S., but you can use a Combo STD Test Kit to screen for other common infections that may complicate pregnancy or mimic HPV symptoms (like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis). These tests arrive in plain packaging, require no lab visit, and deliver results fast.
STD Test Kits offers complete privacy and quick delivery, ideal whether you’re nesting, recovering, or still figuring it all out. Because honestly? You’ve got enough on your plate already.
FAQs
1. Can I give HPV to my baby?
Almost never. Even if you have visible genital warts or high-risk HPV, it’s incredibly rare for a baby to be affected. Your body has natural barriers in place, and the birth canal isn’t exactly HPV’s dream vacation spot. In the very rare case of transmission, it might lead to a condition called respiratory papillomatosis, but we’re talking medical unicorn levels of rare. Most babies are totally fine.
2. Will I need a C-section because of HPV?
Probably not. Unless your genital warts are huge and physically in the way, like, blocking-the-exit kind of big, most people deliver vaginally without issue. Your OB might bring up a C-section if there's risk of heavy bleeding or obstruction, but simply having HPV isn’t a ticket to the OR.
3. Can I still breastfeed if I have HPV?
Yes, yes, and yes. HPV doesn’t travel through breast milk, and your nipples are not viral delivery systems. Unless you’ve got active lesions on your breasts (which is rare), you’re good to nurse, pump, or combo feed as you wish.
4. Will HPV get worse during pregnancy?
It might look that way, but it’s not necessarily more dangerous. Pregnancy hormones can cause dormant HPV to resurface, or warts to grow faster, kind of like how pregnancy can suddenly make your hair look like a shampoo commercial. It’s your immune system shifting gears, not the virus plotting revenge.
5. Does my partner need to get tested too?
Here’s the awkward bit: there’s no standard HPV test for people with penises. If your partner has a cervix, they should stay on top of regular pap smears, but otherwise, unless they’ve got visible symptoms, there’s nothing to “test.” What they do need? A calm, honest conversation that skips the blame game. HPV is a ghost, it can linger for years, and who gave it to whom often can’t be answered.
6. Can I get the HPV vaccine now that I’m pregnant?
Not right now. The vaccine isn’t approved for use during pregnancy. But bookmark it: you can get it safely after delivery, even while breastfeeding. It won’t clear what you already have, but it can protect against other high-risk strains down the line.
7. Does HPV mean I’m more likely to miscarry?
Nope. That myth needs to retire. Most studies show no link between HPV and miscarriage. Your OB might keep a closer eye on cervical changes, but HPV itself doesn’t put your pregnancy at risk. Stress about it? That’s more likely to throw you off balance than the virus is.
8. Do I need to do anything differently for labor and delivery?
Not really. Your team will know about your HPV status from your prenatal records. Unless your case is super specific (like obstructive warts), your delivery plan won’t change. And no, you don’t have to bring it up with every nurse, your chart already has your back.
9. What if I still have HPV after giving birth?
You’re not a failure. HPV can hang around for months or even years, it’s stubborn, not a reflection on your immune system. That’s why postpartum testing matters: your OB will track it, and if it’s still present, they’ll guide next steps. Most cases resolve on their own eventually.
10. Should I tell my next provider I had HPV during pregnancy?
Absolutely. It helps them track your screening schedule and keep your cervical health on their radar. No one’s judging you, they just want to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Think of it like a wellness breadcrumb, not a confession.
You Deserve Answers, Not Assumptions
Finding out you have HPV during pregnancy can feel like being handed a loaded question with no clear answer. But the truth is, most people in your shoes go on to have safe, healthy deliveries and clear the virus within a year or two. You’re not broken, and you’re not alone.
If you’re ready to get tested for other common STDs, want to confirm your results discreetly, or just need to take the next step, this at-home combo test kit can help. Because you deserve clarity, compassion, and control.
How We Sourced This Article: We combined current guidance from leading medical organizations with peer-reviewed research and lived-experience reporting to make this guide practical, compassionate, and accurate. In total, around fifteen references informed the writing; below, we’ve highlighted some of the most relevant and reader-friendly sources.
Sources
1. National Cancer Institute – HPV and Cancer
2. Planned Parenthood – What Is HPV?
3. HPV Infection and Pregnancy Guidelines (CDC)
4. HPV Vaccine Recommendations and Pregnancy Considerations (CDC)
5. HPV Vaccine Safety and Pregnancy (WHO)
About the Author
Dr. F. David, MD is a board-certified infectious disease specialist focused on STI prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. He blends clinical precision with a no-nonsense, sex-positive approach and is committed to expanding access for readers in both urban and off-grid settings.
Reviewed by: Dr. Layla Holmes, OB-GYN | Last medically reviewed: February 2026
This article is for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice.
