How Should You Prepare for STDs in Pregnancy?
If you’re wanting to start a family, you must mitigate risks of complications caused by STDs in pregnancy. In this blog, we outline the STDs that could potentially harm your baby, and the steps you can take to ensure a safe pregnancy.
Should you get an STD test to prepare for pregnancy? Yes, you should get an STD test before pregnancy. Some STDs, such as HIV, can be passed to the baby during pregnancy or birth, and can cause health problems for a newborn. STDs can be diagnosed and treated, where possible, to lower the risk of transmission and further complications.
Read on to find out more about STD testing and management during pregnancy.
Should I Get Tested for STDs Before Pregnancy?
Yes, you should get checked for STDs before pregnancy. Some STIs can cause complications during pregnancy, especially if the correct precautions aren’t taken to minimise transmission. Such complications include:
- Low birth weight
- Preterm labor
- Transmission of infection
- Miscarriage
By taking a test before conceiving, you rule out any hidden infections and can receive the necessary treatment for any infections found. By being aware of what STDs you may carry, your doctor can advise on the safest steps to take to encourage a low-risk pregnancy and delivery.
Why is it Important to Have an STD Test Before Pregnancy?
Not only does STD screening before pregnancy protect the health of you, your partner, and your baby, but there are a number of other benefits, including:
- Peace of mind during pregnancy
- Treatment being more effective when taken early
- Protection of your fertility and general health
- Increased trust between you and your partner
You and your partner could go for a full screening, to reduce the chance of symptomless STDs being transmitted later down the line. Read more about the dangers of STDs to newborns below.
Do I Need an STD Screening Before Starting IVF Treatment?
In order to protect you and your baby from complications, many IVF clinics will ask you to take an STD test before your journey starts. STD tests also ensure there is nothing in the way which could prevent the IVF treatment being a success. The IVF clinic may require you and your partner to test for common STIs including HIV, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia, and gonorrhea before undergoing treatment.
At Your Sexual Health, we offer IVF-specific STD testing packages to ensure your peace of mind during what can be a very stressful time. These can be done within the comfort of your own home, or at one of over 100+ private sexual health clinics.
Could I Struggle to Get Pregnant with an STD?
If left untreated, some STDs can cause fertility issues. For example, Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID affects the reproductive organs including the cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, making it much harder to get pregnant.
Meanwhile, Gonorrhea is another STD that is easily treated, but can cause harm if left for a long time. The disease causes scar tissue in the fallopian tubes and uterus, making it difficult for sperm to fertilise the egg.
Which STDs During Pregnancy are Dangerous?
Read our list below to find out which STDs in pregnancy could potentially negatively impact you and your developing baby.
Syphilis
If not treated early on in pregnancy, syphilis can be dangerous to a fetus. The infection can be linked to miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, and even neonatal death in some cases. Syphilis is usually passed on during pregnancy, but can also be passed on during birth if the baby comes into contact with an open sore.
HIV
During pregnancy, HIV can be passed onto the baby via the placenta. The virus can also be passed on during birth and while breastfeeding. HIV can cause many symptoms in infants including failure to thrive, serious infections, and meningitis.,
Herpes
If you have genital herpes during pregnancy, there is a risk that this could be passed on to your child, which could lead to neonatal herpes. Neonatal herpes can be fatal in the worst cases, but generally, it just affects the eyes, nose, and mouth. Neonatal herpes It affects about 1 in 5,000 live births.
Chlamydia
Untreated chlamydial infections can cause several complications during and after pregnancy. Chlamydia could cause preterm labor and low birth weight. If you have untreated chlamydia during childbirth, you could cause the baby to develop an eye infection (conjunctivitis) or pneumonia.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can be passed from mother to baby during birth. Without vaccination, babies can develop a chronic Hepatitis B infection. This can cause serious damage to the liver later on in life, and also risk passing on the virus to others. Women with Hepatitis B also risk premature delivery.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can be passed from mother to child during vaginal delivery. Babies can develop several infections including vaginitis, scalp infections, urethritis, and serious eye infections. In serious cases, eye infections can cause permanent blindness.
What If I Have an STD While Pregnant?
As explained above, having an STDs while pregnant can cause health issues, especially if the infection goes untreated. If you test positive for an STD you should contact your healthcare provider or GP for information on the next steps.
If the STD is suitable to treat while pregnant, your doctor will give you the correct course of medication to take. All being well, the STD should be cleared once your course of medication is finished.
If it isn’t possible to treat the STI while pregnant, or the STI is incurable, your healthcare provider will take all the necessary steps to encourage a safe pregnancy and birth. This could include alternative birth methods, such as a cesarean section, or it could include taking medication to minimise the risk of transmission to your baby, such as antiviral medication.
Can I Have a Baby With an STD?
If you have an incurable STI, such as herpes or HIV, you can still have a baby if the necessary precautions are taken to protect the baby from infection. The risk of passing on your STD to your baby won’t be zero, but medication and alternative birth methods can be implemented to reduce the risk of transmission.
For STIs that can be treated, we’d recommend getting advice from your healthcare provider on the best steps to take to clear the STD. Some infections, such as chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea can all be treated and cured with antibiotics that are safe to take while pregnant.
Where Can I Get a Full STD Test before Conceiving?
To conclude, getting a full STD profile is a great way to encourage a healthy pregnancy. Not only does it give you peace of mind, but it can also minimise the risk of your baby catching a potentially life-threatening illness.
You can get a comprehensive STD screening with our sexual health services. We offer at-home testing kits and click & collect services for more privacy. We also have over 100 private sexual health clinics across the UK that offer full STD screenings in a relaxed setting. Answer the sexual health questions on our website if you need help finding the most suitable test option for your specific needs.
Diagnose multiple STDs with the same sample using our profile tests, which also include screenings for infections that the standard NHS kits don’t test for. In the unfortunate event that your results come back positive, these can be discussed and actioned by your own GP. We can also recommend an independent private GP service if you prefer who can discuss your circumstances and manage further as required. This service will be free of charge to you. We’re the only online private STD testing provider to offer this level of service.
