Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs can affect women at any age or stage — even during pregnancy. And since many STDs have no symptoms, plus you’re carrying a vulnerable baby on board, it’s critical that you get tested for these infections as soon as you realize you’re expecting.
Fortunately, treatment guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been in place for years now and they outline the recommended screening of pregnant women for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that may become STDs if left untreated.
For more about the STD tests you should receive at your prenatal visits, as well as how STIs are treated during pregnancy and ways to prevent infections in the first place, read on.
Can you get an STD during pregnancy?
Yes, you can get an STD during pregnancy, just as you can when you’re not expecting a baby. In fact, there were an estimated 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis alone reported in 2021, according to the CDC — and more than half of these infections were among young people ages 15 to 24 years of age.
Women at risk of sexually transmitted infections may include those who have had more than one sexual partner in their lives, those whose partner has had sex with other people, those who have shared IV drug needles, and those who have had an STI in the past.
But the good news is that a quick diagnosis is probable because STDs can be detected during pregnancy and then safely treated. And since you'll most likely be tested for STIs at your very first prenatal visit, the chance that your baby could be at risk because of an infection or disease is low.
More About Infections During Pregnancy
What STD tests are done during pregnancy?
Doctors should routinely test women who may be pregnant for STIs, but if this procedure isn’t a part of your health care visit, be sure to ask about it.
The CDC recommends that expectant women be screened for the following STDs at the first prenatal appointment:
- Syphilis
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea (for those under 25 and those who live in areas of high transmission)
Hepatitis C
Other diseases that can be transmitted through sexual contact may also have an impact on you or your baby’s health, including:
Genital herpes
Genital warts (HPV infection)
Trichomoniasis
OB/GYNs typically perform a Pap smear at one of the first prenatal appointments in order to check for any abnormal cervical changes. The initial pelvic exam may also include screening for some STIs, though certain infections require a blood draw for a definitive diagnosis in addition to a vaginal exam.
How can an STD affect your pregnancy?
Since each STD is different, the effects one has on pregnancy can vary. As for symptoms, some of the infections below cause vaginal itching or discharge, pain during sex, discomfort when urinating, sores or blisters on the genital area, swollen glands, fever and body aches.
Keep in mind that early testing and treatment of STIs can mean the risks for you and your baby are low. But some STDs can be transferred to the baby during pregnancy and may cause a variety of health problems if left untreated. Here’s a look at how each one may affect your pregnancy:
- Syphilis. An infection caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium, syphilis can cross the placenta to cause birth defects, premature birth and even stillbirth. There has been a surge in the number of newborns born with syphilis, according to the CDC, with 10 times more new babies having congenital syphilis in 2022 than a decade earlier, in 2012.
- Chlamydia. This condition is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium and is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. Risks include miscarriage, preterm labor, prelabor rupture of the membranes and newborn eye and lung infections.
- Genital herpes. Caused by the herpes simplex virus, this infection’s risks include miscarriage or preterm labor.
- Genital warts (HPV). Some strains of HPV can lead to genital warts, thanks to the human papillomavirus. Large or profuse warts that block the birth canal may mean a C-section is necessary. Rarely, a mother’s infection can cause a noncancerous growth in a baby’s larynx.
- Gonorrhea. An infection caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, if untreated this STD can lead to miscarriage, preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes and preterm birth, as well as newborn eye, joint and blood infections.
- Hepatitis B. This liver-related virus can be passed to your baby if you get it close to your due date. Infected infants may end up with a lifelong condition that may lead to liver disease or even liver cancer.
- Hepatitis C. Caused by a different virus of nearly the same name, this infection is only passed to newborns about 4 to 6 percent of the time. There’s also some risk of low birth weight and being classified as small for gestational age.
- HIV infection. The human immunodeficiency virus causes AIDS and can be transmitted during pregnancy, labor, birth and breastfeeding. But with early diagnosis and adherence to proper treatment protocols, infection rates can be 1 percent or less.
- Trichomoniasis. Early membrane rupture, premature labor and preterm delivery are all risks associated with this infection, which is caused by the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite.
How do you treat an STD during pregnancy?
If you’re wondering how a pregnant woman can get rid of an STD, it actually depends on which one you have. For some STDs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis, antibiotics can be prescribed — and they’re safe to take during pregnancy.
Other STDs, like genital herpes, hepatitis B and HIV, are essentially chronic conditions that can’t be cured. But there are antiviral medications and ways to prevent the transmission of these conditions to your unborn baby. For example, with a case of HIV, you may need a C-section.
How can I protect myself from STDs while pregnant?
Abstaining from sex is pretty much a guaranteed way to avoid an STI and subsequent STD. But since that’s unrealistic for most, here are other ways STDs can be prevented or mitigated:
Use condoms. Use them every time you have sex if you’re not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship.
Know your partners. Before engaging in any sexual activity, learn your potential partner’s sexual history. And if he or she won’t share it, don’t risk it.
Get symptoms checked out. Don’t ignore itching, pain or other nagging signs that’s something’s amiss. The sooner you’re tested and diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin.
Be honest with your doctor about your sex life. Your early prenatal appointments aren’t the time to hide past sexual behaviors. Don’t be embarrassed (your doctor has heard it all before) since sharing your history is critical for your baby’s health — and yours too!
Discuss delivery options. In some cases, as with genital herpes, you may need a scheduled C-section to prevent the transmission of the disease to your baby during birth.
Take the medications. For some STDS, there are drugs you can take to either cure yourself or keep the infection from doing much harm to your baby. But don’t worry — your doctor will be certain the medication prescribed is safe to take while pregnant.
Having an STI or an STD while you’re pregnant can be stressful, but with early action and treatment, your pregnancy can continue apace and, much of the time, a healthy baby will be your reward.
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