Do you think you’re pregnant and infected with an STD? If so, you’re in the right place!
It’s essential to inform yourself of the risks related to pregnancy and STDs, fully understand your condition, and learn about the treatment and services that may be available to you during this time.
Pregnancy and STDs — Can I Have a Baby without Passing My STD?
Can I have a baby without passing my STD?
The short answer is: it depends on the type of STD you have and whether or not you’re seeking the appropriate treatment.
The following STDs can be passed to your child before, during, or after birth:
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
- HPV/genital warts
- Syphilis
- Trichomonas Vaginalis
While some STDs, including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Trichomoniasis, can be treated and cured during pregnancy, others cannot.
Incurable viral STDs include genital Herpes, Hepatitis B, and HIV. While these infections are not curable, you may be able to access antiviral medication that can limit the risk of spreading the infection to your baby.
To learn about the treatment and prevention options available to you, visit Women’s Clinics Maryland today!
What are the risks and side effects if I pass an STD to my baby?
From pregnancy complications to long-term health issues after birth, passing an STD to your baby can bring about a myriad of risks and side effects.
Some of these risks include…1
- Premature birth
- Stillbirth
- Blindness
- Eye infections
- Deafness
- Blood infection
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Liver disease
- Brain damage
- Lack of coordination
- Acute hepatitis
- Abortion and STDs
If you’re considering abortion, it’s still crucial to test for STDs and seek treatment as soon as possible. Having an abortion while infected with an STD can be extremely dangerous, causing the untreated infection to spread to other parts of the body, sometimes resulting in sepsis and septic shock.
Additionally, those infected with STDs are at an increased risk for conditions such as ectopic pregnancy or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).2
I think I’m pregnant and have an STD — What do I do?
If you think you may be pregnant and infected with an STD, we recommend scheduling a free appointment at the Women’s Clinics Maryland today!
We will help you confirm your pregnancy with lab-quality pregnancy testing and an ultrasound scan and provide STD testing and treatment referrals, all at no cost to you.
We provide women with free and confidential testing for the following common STDs and infections:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDs
- Herpes (but only if there are active lesions)
- Chlamydia
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Yeast Infections
If you’re diagnosed with an STD, we will assist you in accessing the treatment (if available) that’s right for you.
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule your free appointment today!
1. Wynn, Adriane PhD, MPP∗; Bristow, Claire C. PhD, MPH, MSc∗; Cristillo, Anthony D. PhD, MS†; Murphy, Sara McCurdy BA†; van den Broek, Nynke PhD, FRCOG‡; Muzny, Christina MD, MSPH§; Kallapur, Suhas MD, FAAP¶; Cohen, Craig MD, MPH∥; Ingalls, Robin R. MD∗∗; Wiesenfeld, Harold MD††; Litch, James A. MD, DTMH‡‡; Morris, Sheldon R. MD, MPH∗; Klausner, Jeffrey D. MD, MPH¶ Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnancy and Reproductive Health: Proceedings of the STAR Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinical Trial Group Programmatic Meeting, Sexually Transmitted Diseases: January 2020 – Volume 47 – Issue 1 – p 5-11 doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001075
2. Westergaard L, Phillipsen T, Scheibel J (1982). “Significance of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection in postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease.” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 68(5): 668-90; Ovigstad E, et al. (1983). “Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection after therapeutic abortion.” Br J Vener Dis, 59: 189-92; Heisterberg L, et al. (1987). “The role of vaginal secretory immunoglobulin a, gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobes, and Chlamydia trachomatis in post abortal pelvic inflammatory disease.” Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 66(2): 99-102.