Prenatal and obstetric care are essential cornerstones of a healthy pregnancy. All women who plan to become mothers should attend these medical sessions to learn about the fundamental processes of a healthy pregnancy and receive the necessary testing and screening to assess their overall health and the health of their potential pregnancy.
Typically, the best practices specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in South Miami, Florida, offer comprehensive screening and testing for pregnant or soon-to-be women. A vital aspect of these tests is the various screenings that providers perform for sexually transmitted infections, as they can potentially endanger the health of a pregnancy and may cause complications to fetal development and delivery.
In this article, we discuss the relationships between STD and pregnancy.
About Sexually Transmitted Infections
STIs, STDs, or sexually transmitted infections are diseases that spread through sexual contact with someone who has already contracted the infection. They spread through sexual contact involving the vagina, mouth, or anus. These diseases may include the following:
- Genital herpes
- Chlamydia
- Hepatitis B.
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Trichonomas Vaginalis
- Genital warts
- HPV
- HIV/AIDS
STD and Pregnancy: How Does It Affect the Baby?
When dealing with an STD while pregnant, the infection may pass on to the developing fetus and infect the baby during pregnancy or even after birth. Because of this, women must receive regular screenings for sexually transmitted diseases, especially during their first prenatal counseling session. And if you have intercourse with someone who is affected after your initial testing, you will need to undergo another series of tests. On that end, the best method to protect the baby from the adverse effects of STIs is treating them and avoiding unprotected sex altogether.
Most Common STI Symptoms
Unfortunately, in some cases, sexually transmitted diseases have no apparent symptoms. Still, if they appear, they will typically include the following:
- Skin rashes
- Swelling or redness near the vagina
- Pain when urinating
- Warts, bumps, or sores, near the anus, mouth, or vagina
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Loose stools
- Jaundice or skin-yellowing
- Fever, chills, aches, and pains
- Vaginal bleeding, even when not on your monthly period
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Itching and burning in the vaginal area
Having an STD While Pregnant: The Effects
As mentioned before, having an unaddressed STD while pregnant can affect your pregnancy, delivery, and developing fetus in several ways, depending on the infection.
Chlamydia
For the most part, this STI seems not to affect pregnancy. Still, those infants who are exposed to the disease at birth may develop pneumonia or severe eye infections. To avoid this, mothers are typically prescribed antibiotics, while babies are given antibiotic eye ointment solutions after delivery to prevent infections.
Syphilis
Having syphilis while pregnant can be defined as a high-risk pregnancy as it can lead to fatal infections in the developing fetus. This infection can be passed quickly from the mother to the fetus. More precisely, if left untreated, the fetus may be born prematurely or face several organ problems that may affect the ears, heart, eyes, bones, and skin, among others.
Treatment will most often involve taking antibiotics during pregnancy to reduce the likelihood of transmitting the disease to the fetus.
Genital Herpes
Typically, a herpes infection isn’t considered something that should make for a high-risk pregnancy up until delivery. More precisely, active herpes lesions located in the genital area can be contagious, and the infant may get infected during delivery. Because of this, most women who have this STD while pregnant will undergo a C-section during delivery.
On the other hand, the infection is mostly treated with prescribed antiviral medication.
Genital Warts/HPV
This is a common infection that often does not produce any symptoms. Conversely, when apparent, the only signs are visible lesions.
For the most part, the pregnant mother won’t be treated for genital warts until after delivery. Also, the latter is typically only affected if the warts are large. In these cases, your provider will discuss your options with you.
Gonorrhea
If you contract this STI during pregnancy, the infection may cause bloodstream infections, fever, and sores, but it typically won’t affect the fetus. Still, if the baby is delivered while the infection is still active, the newborn may develop joint problems, blood infections, infections of the eyes, or even blindness.
As in most other cases of sexually transmitted infections, the mother will receive a round of antibiotics, and babies may also be given antibiotic eye ointment to prevent eye infections.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver infection that’s caused by a virus of the same name. If it infects a pregnant woman, they can pass the infection to the developing fetus through the placenta. Additionally, women with this liver infection are more likely to deliver their baby early, i.e., prematurely. Still, the worst outcomes can be prevented with proper and early screening and adequate vaccination. As such, mothers and newborn babies will receive vaccines and injections of antibodies to prevent further infections and problems.
Trichomonas Vaginalis
This parasitic infection may lead to vaginal discharge, and if left untreated during pregnancy, it may lead to premature deliveries and low birth weights.
Thankfully, this infection may also be treated easily with antibiotics.
HIV/AIDS
Fortunately, thanks to potent medication combinations, the transmission of HIV to the infant can be almost completely prevented. And even though HIV/AIDS is an uncurable disease, with the help of various medications, mothers can avoid passing it on to their babies. They, too, can live near-normal lives if they manage their medication correctly.
Remember, you must take your prescribed antibiotics as instructed, even if you see your symptoms subside. Also, avoid taking someone else’s prescription to treat your own illness. This might lead to adverse effects, making it even more difficult to treat your STI. That said, you should also avoid giving your medication to others for the same reasons.
Protection from STIs
Fortunately, some basic steps can help you protect yourself from these infections:
- Abstaining from sex is the only surefire way to prevent STIs
- Using condoms and dental dams
- Limiting the number of partners you have sex with
- Monogamy
- Regular STD testing
- Avoid using drugs or alcohol before sex, as you may become less likely to care for the risks of unprotected sex when high or drunk.
- Educate yourself about the symptoms of STDs and look for them in your partners and yourself. The more you know about sexually transmitted diseases, the better.
How to Prevent Spreading These Infections
- Refrain from having intercourse until you receive a clean bill of health.
- Follow your treatment instructions.
- Always use a condom.
- Consider getting rechecked after some time has passed.
- Ensure that your partner’s also healthy.
Don’t Be Embarrassed
A lot of people might feel ashamed because they have an STI. The worst thing people can do is avoid getting professional help and treatment. If you suspect that you are dealing with an infection, don’t hesitate to reach out to our caring team of compassionate experts who can help you restore your reproductive health.