About this topic
Sexually-transmitted diseases are often called STDs. STDs are diseases you get from having sex with an infected person. You may get STDs if you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex without proper protection. ‚
Women can get STDs even when pregnant. Being pregnant does not protect you or your baby from STDs. You may not know you have an STD until you are pregnant. ‚
Some STDs that you can get even when pregnant are: ‚
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Genital herpes
- Genital warts or human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Hepatitis B or C
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Trichomoniasis
General
You and your baby may have problems from an STD. Your baby may have problems like: ‚
- Low-birth weight and a weak immune system
- Blindness
- Death before being born. This is a stillbirth.
- Growth and development problems
- Hepatitis B carrier for life
- Infections in the lungs, blood, brain, or liver
- Brain and nerve damage
- Hepatitis, cirrhosis, or chronic liver disease
- Warts in the throat
- Mental or physical problems
An STD while you are pregnant may cause problems for you like: ‚
- Failed pregnancy or miscarriage
- Premature labor or your water may break early
- Cervical cancer
- Fetus can embed outside the womb. This is an ectopic pregnancy.
- Long-term liver problems like chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis
- The need for a C-section because of warts in your vaginal area
- Not being able to have children again
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What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Your doctor will test you for STDs during your first prenatal visit. If the test shows you have an STD, your doctor will give you drugs to treat the STD.
- Your doctor will test you again 3 weeks after treatment.
- During your third trimester, your doctor may test you again. This often happens if you are younger than 25 years old or at high risk for Chlamydia.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Kill the germs
- Keep you and your baby healthy
- Help with itchiness
Will there be any other care needed?
- Tell your sex partner or anyone you have had sex with in the past 3 to 6 months to get tested. Your sex partners may need treatment as well.
- Go to your prenatal check-ups. Try not to miss your doctor visits.
- Tell your other doctors and dentist that you have an STD.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- The only sure way to keep from getting or passing on a sexually-transmitted infection is to not have sexual contact with any person. This infection may be spread even if you do not have any signs of illness.
- Avoid contact with any sex partner known to have an infection.
- If you have sex, use latex condoms each time to lower spread of infection.
- Avoid multiple sex partners. Be in a long-term relationship with only one person who has been tested and is known to have no infection.
- Get a regular check-up for STDs.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Feeling of wetness in your genital area
- Bloody or smelly vaginal discharge
- Very bad belly pain or cramps
- Fast heartbeat
- Very bad vaginal itching
- Upset stomach and throwing up
Where can I learn more?
American Pregnancy Association ‚
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/stdstiduringpregnancy.html ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/std/pregnancy/STDFact-Pregnancy.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚