Can Ureaplasma Harm My Baby?
Ureaplasma normally coexists with other bacteria found in your body, and many people are unaware they have it. Treatment is rarely suggested due to its typical harmless nature. But what happens if ureaplasma is passed on to a baby during pregnancy? In this blog, we will discuss ureaplasma infections during pregnancy and the treatment options available.
So, can ureaplasma cause harm to a baby? Unfortunately, ureaplasma infection can cause birthing complications and harm to newborns. The sooner a pregnant woman receives treatment, the less likely the virus will be passed on.
Continue reading to learn more about ureaplasma and its effects on pregnant women.
Can Ureaplasma harm my baby?
During pregnancy, the list of health concerns rises as women want to protect their newborns’ health. Unfortunately, if the bacterial illness ureaplasma is passed on to the foetus during pregnancy, the unborn baby can be at risk.
Although the infection is likely to resolve on its own for a pregnant woman, following ureaplasma transmission through the womb, the following complications may emerge during pregnancy and birth.
- Rupture of the membranes prematurely
- Risk of miscarriage
- The risk of premature birth
- Risk of stillbirth
If a pregnant woman tests positive with ureaplasma during her pregnancy, it is critical that the mother receives adequate treatment to limit the risk of passing the infection on to her unborn child. However, if the infection is passed on, the following are some of the issues that a newborn baby may have as a result of ureaplasma transmission.
- Congenital Pneumonia
- Brain injury and Meningitis
- Breathing issues and injury to the lungs
We have discussed in further detail treatment options for pregnant women who have Ureaplasma below.
Treatment for Ureaplasma during Pregnancy
When treating a pregnant woman for any infection, extra caution should be exercised, especially when it comes to administering antibiotics. According to research (source) women who are at risk of premature prelabour rupture of the membranes due to infections such as ureaplasma have demonstrated some short-term benefits after taking a course of antibiotics.
If a pregnant woman suspects she has ureaplasma, she should consult her doctor immediately. The quicker you treat the infection, the more effective your treatment will be, and the chance of passing the virus on to their baby will be lower.
How do you get Ureaplasma infection?
Ureaplasma can be a sexually transmitted bacteria that affects the genital or urinary tract. Unfortunately, due to the lack of symptoms, many people are unaware they are afflicted with ureaplasma.
The majority of STIs can be avoided by practising safe sex, and the same is true for ureaplasma. Because of the lack of symptoms, regular sexual health examinations are recommended to limit the risk of infection. This is especially important for women wanting to conceive, as you can be treated for a ureaplasma infection beforehand.
Symptoms of Ureaplasma
We have listed the symptoms that you may experience if you have ureaplasma below.
- Pain during urination
- Burning sensation
- Watery vaginal discharge
- Foul-smelling vaginal odour
Can Ureaplasma be cured?
Doctors often recommend antibiotics to treat ureaplasma which does cure the infection. It should be noted, ureaplasma, like Chlamydia and other STDs, can produce stubborn infections that are not always treatable with medications. If this is the case you will be provided with additional guidance from your doctor.
Ureaplasma tests at Your Sexual Health
If you are trying to conceive, there are tests available that screen for ureaplasma and other STDs prior to pregnancy, which will lower the likelihood of a ureaplasma infection being passed on.
We are happy to conduct testing at Your Sexual Health for those who want a comprehensive sexual health exam prior to conceiving.
If you have any concerns regarding any of the above information, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you want to book a pre-pregnancy sexual health screening, you can do so by browsing our selection of tests here.