I'm very sorry to hear this. But the good news is, there is a VERY little chance that you will pass hep c onto your baby.
As for you, its scary finding out, but there are "treatments" for the disease. For those who are unable to clear the virus, you can learn to adapt to living with hep c. Eat healthy, no alcohol. It is not a death sentence.

There are other women here who can attest to having healthy non-hcv babies even though they were hcv positive at the time of conception and after birth.
I think the chances of your babies safety are pretty good.
You will not be able to do treatment while you are pregnant and dealing with a newborn and all it's demands is not the best time to try it either.
What is your health profile? Do you know your genotype? Your grade of liver inflammation and the stage of scarring in your liver?
If you are not too far along with hep c and it can take many MANY years, you might find this a hidden blessing as you will be forced to wait a while before attempting treatment.
I say this because what we have no for treatment is not great but there are so many new better drugs coming out every year!
You may be spared the challenges we have with the drugs they offer us right now.
Best of luck! Stay tuned in here. It's a great site :)

Ooops you just tested positive today , read that now. You will want to find out about genotype, grade and stage now.

sorry you had to learn you have HCV while you're pregnant.
We all freaked out when we got the diagnosis, but the more we learn, the less reason to get crazy. Its a slow moving disease & much slower if you eat well & don't drink alcohol.
You may wish to look into treatment post natal.

Although it is not a "death sentence", you can bet people die every day from HCV related causes. Its not to be ignored.

Sorry to hear that but like everybody says you could not do tx anyway right now. Try not to put extra stress on you and the baby...not good for you. By the time you are ready for tx, if you have to do it the new meds should be out. Wishing you and your baby all the best.

I should rephrase...I don't want to underestimate the seriousness of the disease by saying its not necessarily a death sentence. My best to you.

Thank you so much for your reassuring comments. A couple questions to whoever may be able to answer them...Does the amount of time I've been infected have anything to do with when I have to start treatment? And what exactly does having a high level of the virus mean? I'm assuming that's a bad thing?

Hi there! Many of us have had this virus a very long time..I myself have been living with it for over 20 years before they called it Hep C...Back then it was called nonA ...nonB hep. I got the actual Hep C results about 6 years ago...Gave up drinking 100% and have been going on with my life until the hep C caused me to get a rare blood disorder...now I have to do treatment...Hearing about a high or very high viral load CAN be scary but it only plays a part in this puzzle.The amount of time you have had it only plays a part, too...Don't worry about having to rush for treatment.....But Do take very good care of yourself!!You are young and that is VERY much on your side...So for now be good to yourself...you are smart, you came here way early compared to me! Take good care of your baby and we all will be glad to help you!PS. If you don't do so already, it would be a good idea for you to request copies of your medical records,and keep them in a safe place... all blood work and any other tests done now and in the future...This will help you in your journey to being and staying well!Hope this helps some!

It is a scary thing to learn. I can't imagine how you feel right now being pregnant as well. Like the others said there is a low chance you could pass it to your baby. The best thing is to get testes for your viral load next and see how much of the virus is in your blood and what genotype you have. That will determine your next plan on action. You have some time to think over possible treatments etc. since you will have to wait until you aren't preggers any more.

In regards to treatment, is that something that I would automatically start when physically possible or could the doctor decide I don't need to start it until some point in the future?

With your pregnancy it's not an option. When that is resolved and you are in a position to start, it is your choice.
There are risks to treatment and that is weighed against your chances of success and at what point you are at with Hep C.
Focus on staying healthy and having a good pregnancy and healthy baby.
In the meantime put all this on the back burner but find out your genotype, stage and grade (sorry I'm repeating myself). YOu can't make any informed decisions or even know what questions to ask until you know that.
Hang out on this site and watch the discussions. When the time comes you will know plenty! :)

Welcome to DS. I'm sorry you had to learn of your Hep C while you are pregnant and I mean that only because of the fact that it's a mental stress for you that you don't need. If you can, try not to worry about this...think about dealing with a healthy pregnancy and you will be doing all the right things for your liver at the same time.

You will can deal with the Hep C issue after your baby is born but, of course, you will want the guidance of a hepatologist in the mean time.

I gave birth to 3 children not knowing that I had Hep C and they are all adults now and none of them got Hep C from me during the birth process or during the years that I raised them. The odds of passing Hep C to your baby are very small but you will want to take all the typical blood precautions after your baby is born.

Mosrite has given you excellent advise so I won't repeat it. Just re-read what he has posted.

There are much better treatment meds coming on the market in the next year or two so you have actually found out about your Hep C at a good place in time.

What are the chances that I could've given it to the babys father through sex? Is that something he needs to be concerned about? I haven't told him yet and am terrified of doing so. What's the best way if there is one? Are condoms recommended from now on?

I have 2 children since I found out, and my Husband and I have been married for 3 years now, and so far no one in my family has it but me. He got tested a year after we were married and was just fine. I will get the babys tested later on when they are a little older, you have to wait till they are a year anyway. But my doctor told me out of all her years she has only seen one mother that transferred to her child. I am sure everything will be just fine! Welcome to DS!

Hi! I just joined today and I am also 34 and just found out I tested positive. I went to the doctor to get everything taken care of before I tried to get pregnant. I am now having a very hard time with it since I may have to wait one and a half years to get pregnant (because of the treatment). Hopefully it won't be too late. I will say my twin sister had Hep C, had treatment and she is totally healthy now. So, it may be a blessing in disguise that you found out after you were pregnant. Keep me update and congrats on the baby. Don't stress!