Pregnancy is a time when regular medical care becomes especially important. Among the health conditions that deserve attention are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These infections can affect both a pregnant woman or pass from mother to child.
STIs in pregnancy include infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, genital herpes, hepatitis B, HPV, and trichomoniasis. Some are curable, while others can be managed with medicines that reduce complications and the chance of transmission. Early testing and appropriate treatment are therefore important parts of prenatal care.
Begin Health Life presents this health guide to help understanding how sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect pregnancy, maternal health, and the health of an unborn or newborn child.
What Are STIs in Pregnancy?
STIs are infections mainly transmitted through sexual contact. Pregnancy does not protect a person from acquiring an STI, and many infections may have no symptoms or symptoms that are easy to overlook. This means a pregnant woman may have an infection without knowing it.
Some STIs can affect the mother's reproductive health, while others can reach the developing baby during pregnancy or be transmitted during childbirth. The effects depend on the particular infection, how early it is detected, and whether appropriate treatment is provided.
How STIs Affect the Mother During Pregnancy
An STI can cause many of the same health problems during pregnancy that it can cause at other times. However, pregnancy adds another concern because the infection may also affect the developing baby.
Untreated STIs can contribute to pregnancy complications, including premature birth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Certain infections can cause inflammation or infection in the reproductive tract. Chlamydia and gonorrhea, for example, can cause reproductive complications when untreated.
Some infections can also become more serious if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. This is one reason healthcare professionals recommend appropriate STI screening as part of prenatal care.
Importantly, having an STI does not mean that a pregnancy will necessarily have a poor outcome. Many infections can be treated or carefully managed when identified early.
How STIs Affect the Unborn Baby
One of the most important concerns with STIs during pregnancy is transmission from mother to child.
Some infections can cross the placenta and infect the baby before birth. Syphilis is a particularly important example because the bacteria can pass from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Untreated syphilis can lead to serious outcomes, including stillbirth, neonatal death, premature birth, low birth weight, and congenital infection.
Other infections may be transmitted around the time of delivery. The baby can be exposed to an infection while passing through the birth canal, depending on the infection and circumstances.
The possible effects on a child vary considerably. They may include newborn infection, eye disease, respiratory problems, low birth weight, premature birth, or other serious complications.
How STIs Can Affect a Baby During Delivery
Some STIs are particularly concerning during childbirth because of direct contact between the newborn and infected genital tissues or secretions.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia, for example, can be transmitted to a newborn during delivery and may cause eye infections. Genital herpes can also be transmitted to a newborn, particularly when genital infection is present around the time of delivery.
Because the risk differs between infections, healthcare professionals may change the management of labor or recommend specific preventive measures when necessary.
Syphilis and Pregnancy
Syphilis deserves special attention because it can cross the placenta and affect the fetus during pregnancy. The infection may be present without noticeable symptoms, making screening particularly important.
WHO estimates that 1.1 million pregnant women were infected with syphilis in 2022, associated with more than 390,000 adverse birth outcomes.
The important point is that syphilis is curable. Appropriate treatment during pregnancy can substantially reduce the risk of congenital syphilis and other pregnancy complications. Penicillin is the recommended treatment for syphilis during pregnancy.
HIV and Pregnancy
HIV can also pass from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Without appropriate antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV transmission is possible around more than in 15-30% cases.
However, modern HIV treatment can greatly reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission with an exception of 1%. For this reason, HIV testing and prompt medical care are important components of prenatal health when appropriate.
A pregnant woman who has HIV should work closely with her healthcare team to determine the safest treatment and delivery plan and to receive appropriate guidance about infant feeding.
STI Testing During Pregnancy
Because many STIs do not cause noticeable symptoms, STI testing during pregnancy can identify infections that might otherwise remain undetected.
Screening recommendations vary according to the infection, age, medical history, risk factors, location, and stage of pregnancy. For example, CDC guidance recommends syphilis screening at the first prenatal visit and additional testing in certain higher-risk situations. Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea is also recommended for pregnant women in specific age or risk groups.
Testing may involve blood, urine, or a swab depending on the infection being investigated.
Can STI Treatment Protect Mother and Child?
Yes, treatment can make an important difference. Several bacterial STIs can be cured with appropriate antibiotics, including syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. However, treatment during pregnancy must be selected by a healthcare professional because some medicines are not appropriate during pregnancy.
Viral STI infections such as HIV and genital herpes cannot currently be cured, but medical treatment can help control infection and reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.
If an STI is diagnosed, the sexual partner may also need testing and treatment. This can help prevent reinfection and further transmission.
How Can STIs Be Prevented During Pregnancy?
Reducing the chance of acquiring an STI is an important part of protecting maternal and child health. Helpful measures include:
- Using condoms correctly and consistently.
- Having partners tested when appropriate.
- Avoiding sexual contact with a partner who has an untreated STI.
- Attending recommended prenatal appointments.
- Completing prescribed treatment.
- Following healthcare advice about partner testing and treatment.
- Receiving recommended vaccinations, such as hepatitis B vaccination when indicated.
Prevention is particularly important when there is a new sexual partner or another factor that increases the possibility of STI exposure.
What Should You Do If You Think You Have an STI?
If you are pregnant and think you may have been exposed to an STI, contact your doctor, midwife, or other qualified healthcare professional. Do not wait for symptoms to appear because many infections can be silent.
Do not take antibiotics or other STI medicines on your own choice. The correct treatment depends on the infection and pregnancy stage. Early diagnosis gives healthcare professionals more opportunities to treat the infection, monitor the pregnancy, and reduce the possibility of transmission to the baby.
Final Takeaways
STIs in pregnancy can affect both mother and child, but many complications can be prevented or reduced through timely prenatal care. Some infections can cause pregnancy complications, while others can pass to the baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
Begin Health Life informs that regular prenatal care, recommended STI screening, appropriate treatment, safer sexual practices, and partner management can all help protect maternal and newborn health. If you are pregnant and concerned about an STI, discussing the concern with a healthcare professional is an important step, even if you have no symptoms.