What should you know about hepatitis B positive in pregnancy?

A positive hepatitis B marker in pregnancy does not by itself show how active the infection is or how the liver is functioning. The maternity team may review the complete hepatitis B panel, liver tests, and other results to plan care. Many pregnant people have no symptoms; [Fatigue](/symptoms/fatigue/) can also have many pregnancy-related causes. The key issue is making sure the obstetric and newborn teams know the result early enough to coordinate protection after birth.

Tell your obstetric clinician and the facility where you plan to give birth, and bring the complete report to appointments. Ask whether a [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/) or specialist review is needed. Your care team will explain the newborn vaccination and any additional protection recommended after delivery, based on the parent’s results and local guidance. Do not stop prescribed medicines or take herbal products without checking pregnancy and liver safety. Household members and partners can ask about [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/).

Contact your maternity team promptly for worsening nausea, yellow eyes or skin, [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/), severe right-sided abdominal pain, unusual bleeding, or marked weakness. Seek emergency help for confusion, fainting, severe vomiting, or rapidly worsening illness. These warning signs need assessment and are not a way to judge the baby’s health.

Ask which hepatitis B marker was positive, whether the infection is active, how your liver tests look, and who will coordinate newborn protection. Ask what information the birth facility needs, whether medicines are recommended, and how your partner and household contacts should be assessed.