Re-Post What is the Definition of 'High' Viral Load During Pregnancy/Birth?

[Poppea]

I'm sorry, I reposted this b/c the 'post a comment' option was somehow disabled on the first post I had..It leads to a web page instead.
I have been trying to research information on the web re: vertical transmission of HCV & viral loads. I noticed there seems to be a correlation between the mother's viral load at the time of birth & transmission to the newborn.
I have been Hep C positive since at least 2000. I gave birth to a son on 9/30/03. My last test for viral load before I gave birth was 7 months prior in March, 2003 & it was 572,000, way up from 188,000 in Sept 2002..VL seemed to spike during my pregnancy & then afterward, dropped to down to 29,500 in March 04, then undetectable June 6 2006 & now I just got more results today, Aug 8th & VL is 5,035, up again.
My question is what is considered a dangerous high VL for a mother while pregnant or giving birth? IS Hep C transmitted intauterinely or during the birth?
Is it possible the pregnancy caused my VL to rise or is that just a coincindence? IS it normal for the ranges to fluctuate so greatly?
Thanks,
Lisa

[Poppea]

You underwent tx while caring for a toddler? I am so in awe of you.

[Poppea]

Do you know if it's typical for viral load to go up during pregnancy? Mine was definitely up higher than it ever was or has been. Maybe from all the stress on your body from being PG.
Lisa

[goldyn]

Been missing you how are you , I was reading this post earlier, and thought of you,
Hows your hair doing, has it started growing back? im plugging away on 35/48 will be done in early november, have you taken your post tx pcr? I know you were worried about it, i think that will be the longest 3months when its my turn to wait for that result....
                  Blessings to you and your family
                              angie

[strator]

Hey Lady,just noticed your reply to and to poppea and had to say what a wonderful change so many go through from our first timid or fearful queries on this forum to jumping in to correspond with others who's worries you can identify with. Thanks amommy, hope post tx is going well.
Be Well,
Don

[amommy]

I have not posted here in quite some time, but have been lurking.  I saw this post and had to respond.  I am a geno2, almost 12 weeks post tx.  My most likely mode of transmission was a blood transfusion I had at birth.  I have a 2.5 year old daughter who was infected via vertical transmission.  Let me pass on to you the little info that I have.  

First of all,

[Alady1620]

Your son needs to be 18 months old or more before he is tested.  Otherwise, he will test positive.