If you’re pregnant and have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), you may be concerned about the possibility of passing the infection to your baby. It’s a natural and important question to ask, as the health of your child is your top priority.
Understanding the risks and protecting your baby is crucial to ensuring a healthy pregnancy. We’ll explore more about STDs, how they can be transmitted from mother to child, and what you can do to reduce the risk and safeguard both of your health.
What is an STD?
STDs are mainly transmitted through sexual contact or bodily fluids such as blood or semen. They’re caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites and are more common than many people realize. Millions of new infections occur every year in the United States.
What are the Symptoms?
STDs can be asymptomatic, meaning they don’t always show signs. It’s possible to contract a sexually transmitted infection from someone who appears healthy and may not even realize they are infected.
However, you may notice particular symptoms if you have an STD, including:
- Sores or bumps on the genitals or in the oral or rectal area.
- Painful or burning urination.
- Unusual or odorous vaginal discharge.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding.
- Pain during sex.
- Sore, swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin, but sometimes more widespread.
- Lower abdominal pain.
- Fever.
- Rash over the trunk, hands, or feet.
Can I Pass an STD to My Child?
STDs can be passed to babies during pregnancy and childbirth, posing serious risks. For infants, STDs can lead to severe complications, including premature birth.
Getting tested and seeking any necessary treatment is essential to protect your health and your child’s well-being.
Testing & Treatment
If you’re sexually active, getting regular testing is crucial. STDs can have long-term effects on pregnant women if untreated, such as:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can damage your uterus and cause infertility.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- Infertility.
- Chronic pelvic pain.
Early detection and treatment are needed to lower the risk of passing an STD to your child. Some STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be successfully treated with antibiotics. With other STDs, like herpes and HIV, the symptoms can be managed.
If You’re Unexpectedly Pregnant
Pregnancy Help Center is here to support you if you’re experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. We offer free pregnancy services, such as pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, education, support, and resources. We may also be able to refer you for STD testing.
Get the care you deserve by contacting us to make a free and confidential appointment with our team today.
