If you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant, it’s important to be screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs, formerly known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that spread through sexual contact.
STIs may make you go into labor early. A baby born early (preterm) may have trouble breathing, eating or developing as they should. STIs can cause low birth weight, which can affect your baby’s health and development. STIs can also spread to your baby.
With regular check-ups, your health care provider can screen for STIs, track the progress of your pregnancy and advise you about safe practices, ways to avoid STIs and treatment options. Managing STIs can help lower risks and complications for both you and your baby.
“The number one thing you should know is that you shouldn’t be embarrassed or ashamed if you test positive for any STIs. These things happen and, we have lots of treatment options. Your provider’s main goal is to give you the best care possible and not pass judgment,” said Samantha Zimmer, a certified nurse midwife with Banner Health.
She explained more about some common STIs and how they can affect you and your baby.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection.
- Risks: Left untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may make it harder for you to have another baby. It can cause preterm birth, low birth weight, miscarriage and stillbirth. If it’s passed to the baby during delivery, it may cause eye infections or pneumonia.
- Symptoms: Often, none. Without testing, you may not know you have it. In some cases, you may have abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination or pelvic pain.
- Diagnosis: Urine test or vaginal swab.
- Treatment: Antibiotics like azithromycin or amoxicillin, which are generally safe to use during pregnancy.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another bacterial STI.
- Risks: Untreated, gonorrhea can lead to preterm labor and PID, which can make it harder for you to have another baby. It can cause preterm birth, low birth weight, miscarriage and stillbirth. It can also cause pneumonia and gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, a severe eye infection in the baby that can cause blindness if it’s not treated quickly.
- Symptoms: Sometimes none, but you may have painful urination or abnormal discharge, pelvic pain and a sore throat if gonorrhea is transmitted through oral sex.
- Diagnosis: Urine test or vaginal swab.
- Treatment: Antibiotics, usually ceftriaxone and azithromycin, which are considered safe in pregnancy.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that goes through stages, called primary, secondary, latent and tertiary.
- Risks: If not treated, babies can be infected when they are born (congenital syphilis), which can lead to bone deformities, skin rashes, developmental delays and neurological issues. “Syphilis can cause serious and fatal infections in the baby,” Zimmer said.
- Symptoms: Sores and rashes in the genital area, rashes on the body and flu-like symptoms in early stages. Organ damage and other severe health complications in later stages.
- Diagnosis: Blood tests.
- Treatment: Antibiotics, usually penicillin, which is considered safe during pregnancy and may prevent congenital syphilis.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
HSV is a viral infection. There are two main types. HSV-1 commonly causes oral herpes and HSV-2 commonly causes genital herpes.
- Risks: If you have active genital herpes when your baby is born, it could spread to the baby and cause skin, eye or brain infections and other complications. “Babies who come in contact with the herpes virus risk getting a serious and potentially fatal infection,” Zimmer said.
- Symptoms: Sometimes none. In other cases, painful sores or blisters in the genital area, itching, discomfort or flu-like symptoms.
- Diagnosis: Blood tests or vaginal swabs.
- Treatment: Antiviral medications like acyclovir or valacyclovir used during the last trimester, which may reduce the risk of an outbreak at the time your baby is born. You may need a cesarean delivery if you have sores when you go into labor.
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if it’s not managed properly.
- Risks: Without treatment, HIV can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. It can lead to serious health issues, including developmental problems and an increased likelihood of getting infections. It can make it hard for you to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
- Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue. More severe symptoms in later stages.
- Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly reduces the risk of HIV/AIDS spreading to the baby. You need to start ART as early as possible in the pregnancy and follow the treatment plan closely. With proper ART, you can reduce the risk of the baby getting HIV to less than 1%. You may need a cesarean delivery and your baby may need preventive ART for the first few weeks after birth.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is a viral infection with many different types. Some can cause genital warts or are linked to cervical cancer. It is one of the most common STIs.
- Risks: HPV itself typically doesn’t cause complications during pregnancy. Certain strains can cause warts in the genital area. These warts may need to be managed during pregnancy to avoid complications during delivery. HPV is not known to cause birth defects, but some strains may cause problems with the cervix and impact reproductive health.
- Symptoms: Usually none. Some strains can cause genital warts or changes that show up on a Pap test.
- Diagnosis: Blood tests in some cases. Pap tests don’t check for STIs, but they can spot abnormal cervical cells that could be caused by HPV.
- Treatment: Monitoring and treating any warts to prevent any discomfort or complications during pregnancy and delivery. Warts may be treated with cryotherapy or laser therapy. Treatments could affect your cervix and impact your fertility in the future.
Preventing and managing STIs
You can lower your risk of getting an STI by using condoms during sexual activity and being in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative for STIs.
The HPV vaccine may prevent certain types of HPV. Vaccination is recommended before you become sexually active, but if you’re already sexually active it may protect against other strains of HPV. Your provider can help you decide if you need the vaccine based on your health history and other factors. The vaccine isn’t usually given during pregnancy.
Talk to your health care provider openly about your sexual history, previous STIs, concerns you have and symptoms you’ve noticed. With regular prenatal care, you can monitor the health of you and your baby throughout your pregnancy.
“Most providers recommend routinely testing for many STIs in all patients at their first OB appointment, regardless of additional risk factors,” Zimmer said. “It’s important because we never want to assume a patient’s history or risk factors. And, unfortunately, sometimes patients are exposed to STIs if they are unaware that their partner is not monogamous.”
Your provider will recommend check-ups, screenings and tests to help spot and manage any problems, including STIs. With early detection, you can start treatment quickly and reduce the risk of complications.
If your provider recommends treatment for an STI, it’s important to follow the plan. That helps clear the infection, lower the risk of infecting the baby and make complications less likely. Your provider will check how well your treatment is working in your follow-up visits.
Regular checkups and vaccinations are also important for your baby after birth.
Emotional health support
Being diagnosed with an STI during pregnancy can be overwhelming and may impact your emotional and mental health. It’s important to get support to help manage stress, anxiety or isolation.
Many hospitals and clinics offer counseling and psychological support for expectant mothers. These services can provide reassurance and guidance throughout your pregnancy. Talking to a mental health professional can also help you with supportive coping strategies.
Community organizations may also have resources and support for people dealing with STIs. They may provide educational materials, counseling and help navigating health care systems.
You may want to join an in-person or online support group to share experiences, get encouragement and advice and connect with people who understand what you’re going through.
Talk to your partner
Honest and open communication about STIs with your partner is important. You’ll need to share your STI status and any health concerns.
Communicate with empathy, understanding and a focus on health and safety rather than blame. Encourage your partner to seek testing and treatment if needed.
Your health care provider, local health departments or family planning/sexual health clinics may offer STI screenings, treatment, education and referrals to specialists and support services.
The bottom line
Understanding and managing STIs during pregnancy is important. With early detection and treatment, you reduce the risk of complications that could affect you and your baby.
Talk to your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health about any symptoms, concerns or STI history.
