Hpv or human papillomavirus causes warts among the infected individuals. This condition can be transmitted through direct contact with the infected person or through sexual contact with someone who is suffering from this condition. A pregnant woman having this condition may worry about its effect on the unborn child. However with respect to hpv and pregnancy it is important to understand that the virus does not affect the development of the baby.

In a case of hpv and pregnancy the pregnant woman should let the physician know of the infection. A woman who is pregnant needs to take a Pap test in the prenatal visit and in the event of abnormalities more tests may be ordered. For additional tests cells from the cervix are collected and these are studied.

A woman having a history of hpv should bring this to the notice of the doctor. Problems like genital warts and tissues changes within the cervix should be identified. In a case of hpv and pregnancy a doctor will seek to monitor the pregnant woman closely. Research has not been able to point towards any particular link between hpv and problems like miscarriage and premature delivery along with other complications.

In cases of hpv and pregnancy a very low risk exists of the pregnant woman transmitting the virus to her child. In case the a woman is suffering from a high risk form of hpv such as that responsible for causing cervical cancer her condition will be monitored through the pregnancy term. This is to detect any possible changes in the cervical tissue.

Some pregnant women suffering from hpv tend to experience tissue changes in the pregnancy period. In such a situation the doctors may choose to postpone treatment as it may result in premature labor. A pregnant woman having genital warts may be monitored by the doctor to see if the warts grow in size. In some cases the warts may also bleed.

In case of hpv and pregnancy if the warts grow large enough so to obstruct the vagina then they may be removed before childbirth. These warts can be removed surgically or through painless electric current or chemical treatment. Even if a baby gets the hpv virus from the mother the virus is cleared on its own by the immune system,

In some cases of hpv and pregnancy the baby may develop the warts in the throat. This is a serious problem and is called respiratory papillomatosis. Such a condition may require laser surgery so as to prevent the warts from blocking the breathing passage of the baby. If the Pap test during pregnancy is abnormal then a repeat Pap test after delivery may be conducted.

In many cases the doctor may not treat the warts during pregnancy and these tend to get better or disappear on their own. In the event of an abnormal smear the doctor may conduct an examination of the cervix along with the vagina under the microscope. Such an examination is called a colposcopy. If suspicious changes in the cells are observed then a tissue biopsy may be conducted.