STDs While Pregnant

Sexually transmitted infections are also known as sexually transmitted diseases, and they are quite common among sexually active people, affecting one out of every five. While a good majority can be treated, it is essential for treatment to be done as soon as possible. When they are treated in good time, a person can avoid transmitting the infection, as well, they can prevent complications that could affect their reproductive organs. 

When a person is pregnant and contracts an STI, it puts their unborn child at risk, and therefore seeking immediate medical attention is also very crucial. As well, if a person has an STI, whether they are pregnant or not, they should make their partner aware of it, so that they can both get treated. So let’s look into STIs, their symptoms, how they are transmitted, how there are treated, and how they can be prevented.

What Are STIs?

STIs are passed on from one person to another through sexual contact. They are categorized into four; bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections. Gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia are the most common ones, and are typically treated with antibiotics. Viral STIs like HPV (human papillomavirus) and HIV (human immunodeficiency syndrome) have longer courses of treatment. When a person is pregnant, their unborn child could contract the disease while in the womb, or as they are being born. We shall discuss how, later in this article. 

How Are STIs Diagnosed While Pregnant?

STIs are typically diagnosed using blood tests and urine tests. When a pregnancy is confirmed, the usual practice is to conduct tests for STIs right after. Whereas most STI tests are typically done separately, when a person is pregnant, a particular test that covers multiple STIs is done. It is efficient and covers the more common STIs. In this way, early detection and treatment are possible. As well, if one or more STIs are detected during this time, a person can expect to be retested during the pregnancy to ensure that the infection is under control. This is crucial particularly as a person gets closer to their due date as some infections may require special preparations in order to ensure that the infection does not spread during delivery.   

What Are the Symptoms of STIs?

Typically, each STI has specific symptoms, however, they present differently from one individual to another. With this in mind, let us touch on the general symptoms of each STI:

Chlamydia

• Fever
• Pain in the vagina, anus, or testicles
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis
• Lower back or abdominal pain

Syphilis

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sudden baldness
• Weight loss
• A non-irritating rash on the body

Gonorrhea

• Burning sensation or pain when urinating
• Itchy sensation around the anus
• Pain when making bowel movement
• A discharge from the vagina, penis, or anus that is cloudy or bloody
• Heavy periods
• Bleeding between periods

Trichomoniasis

• Soreness, itching or burning sensation on the vagina or penis
• An unpleasant pungent (“fishy”) odor coming from the vagina
• Pain when having sex or urinating
• A discharge that is clear white or greenish-yellow coming from the penis or vagina

HIV

• Ulcers or rashes on the mouth
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Headaches
• Chills and night sweats
• Fatigue

Genital Herpes

• Pain and itching around the genitalia and rectum
• Small, open sores on the genitals or anus
• An abnormal vaginal discharge

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• Discomfort and itching around the genitals
• Small warts that could be around or on the genitals - sometimes with a cauliflower-like appearance
• Bleeding during sexual intercourse

Hepatitis

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Pain under the ribs on the right side of the body
• Dark urine or clay-colored stool
• Nausea, vomiting and upset stomach
• Yellow, jaundiced skin

STI Treatment While Pregnant

Treatment for STIs is fairly standard, however when a person is pregnant, the antibiotics are formulated so as to be safe enough not to harm the baby. As well, depending on how far along a person’s pregnancy is, the prescription is adjusted in order to still be effective without harming the baby.  

Risk of STIs to the Baby, While Pregnant

When it comes to STIs, the risk involved is that without proper treatment, it could result in the STI being passed from the mother to the child. Chlamydia or gonorrhoea can easily be passed to the child during childbirth, while syphilis can pass through the placenta, affecting the child while still in the womb. 

Herpes can also be passed on to the child during natural childbirth, and so the alternative would be delivery by caesarean section (c-section). Whereas herpes is treated using suppressive antiviral therapy, at times a person can present with active sores by the time they go into labor. This is what would necessitate a c-section. HIV is treated using antiretroviral medications throughout a person’s life. When they are pregnant, these medications have been observed to reduce the risk of infection significantly, to below one percent. As a result, a large majority of children are born clear of infection.

Preventing STIs While Pregnant

The most effective way of preventing STIs is by abstaining from sex. That being said, it is not always the most practical solution. Most STIs can be prevented by using condoms during sexual activity. HPV can be challenging to manage with condoms because the areas of skin that are not covered by the condom are vulnerable to infection. When a person has an STI, they and their partner need to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, and the probability of reinfection. Monogamous couples have a lower chance of reinfection, but retesting is vital to prevent the spread of the infection to the unborn child.   

In Summary

STIs are easily spread from one person to another. Having open communication about these infections is crucial to ensuring treatment, and preventing their spread. Even with an STI it is possible to carry a pregnancy to term and give birth to a healthy baby. However it is vital that the STI is treated early. While being pregnant with an STI can make you and your child vulnerable, it is possible to get assistance from professional healthcare providers, such as those at  Virginia Fertility & IVF. We offer expert services with compassion toward each individual circumstance.