WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Pregnancy and STDs

Pregnancy and STDs
During pregnancy, you are susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), just like any other time in your life.
Key Facts
  • It's vital to understand that many STDs do not show obvious symptoms. Consequently, undergoing testing as soon as you know you're pregnant is crucial, especially because you're nurturing a vulnerable baby.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides clear guidelines for pregnant women, emphasizing the importance of screening for these infections to avoid their escalation into more serious STDs if left untreated.
What's That?
  • You can contract STDs during pregnancy in the same manner as when not pregnant.
  • Notably, the CDC reported approximately 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in 2021, predominantly among individuals aged 15 to 24.
  • Women at higher risk for STDs include those with multiple sexual partners, partners who are not monogamous, past IV drug users, and those who have had an STD before. However, the likelihood of early diagnosis and safe treatment during pregnancy is high, given routine prenatal testing.
Diagnosis
  • Your healthcare provider should conduct routine STD tests during your prenatal visits. If not, it's crucial to inquire about these tests.
  • The CDC recommends that pregnant women be screened for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C at their initial prenatal appointment.
  • Additional screenings may be required for other sexually transmitted infections like genital herpes, genital warts (HPV infection), and trichomoniasis. These typically involve a Pap smear, a pelvic exam, and sometimes a blood test.
Management and Treatment
  • STDs' impact on pregnancy varies, with some leading to symptoms like vaginal itching or discharge, painful intercourse, discomfort during urination, sores, fever, and body aches.
  • The effects of untreated STDs on your baby can be severe, including birth defects, premature birth, and stillbirth. Each STD has specific implications for your pregnancy.
  • Treatment depends on the specific STD. Antibiotics are effective for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis and are safe during pregnancy. For chronic infections like genital herpes, hepatitis B, and HIV, antiviral medications and specific birth plans, such as a C-section, are required to prevent baby transmission.
Q&A
Can you get an STD during pregnancy?
What STD tests are done during pregnancy?
How can an STD affect your pregnancy?
How do you treat an STD during pregnancy?
How can I protect myself from STDs while pregnant?
By staying informed and proactive, you can manage and treat STDs effectively during pregnancy, ensuring the health and well-being of both you and your baby.
All you need to know
Juliette
Midwife for 8+ years
R
Ramona
17 Dec 2023

How many moms have had the chickenpox as a kid or the shingles virus outbreak? Me yes as a baby chickenpox and later it caused me a shingles outbreak on my arm with bad nerve pain! If you had it before how do you feel knowing the herpes virus is permanent in your blood? Me: I’m not worried at all! I’m having a great healthy pregnancy with no stds (no offense to those who been exposed to anything) but I’m not afraid of anything or it bothering me because it’s been dormant! What’s your thoughts on this!? 🥰 PSA NO JUDGEMENTS ALLOWED ON MY POST IF ANYONE SHARES SENSITIVE EMOTION INFO! No one is perfect! If you have herpes from sexual contact your STILL LOVED AND YOUR BABY WILL STILL MAKE IT AND GROW TO BE HEALTHY!🙏🥰

3 comments
A
Anna
I had the singles at 3 never chicken pox how weird
27 Mar 2024

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Pearl
I had chickenpox in elementary school but never had shingles. I don’t even think about it honestly cause it is dormant and doesn’t affect me in anyway now. My mom got it as a child as well and all of us are fine, I kinda look at it as another annoying version of the flu 🤷🏼‍♀️ I feel like most people experience it being exposed in school. The ones that never ever do are lucky lol my dad had never got chicken pox up until all of us kids got it and he got it really bad since I guess it’s worse for adults 😖
27 Mar 2024

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D
Dee
16 Nov 2023

Has anyone had a yeast infection while pregnant?? If so how was it treated currently I'm not having any discharge at all just itching and irritated I've been tested for everything I don't have any stds or any other infections not even a uti !!

4 comments
S
S&S Mommy🎀
Yes these antibiotics they gave me to treat my uti gave me yeast my doctor send me a cream to use with an applicator but I haven’t been itching no smell nor discharge I just been very uncomfortable after sex . So she gave me this cream to use and I been ok for these past couple of days
27 Mar 2024

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Dee
I was prescribed cream also for outer vagina use not inside and same here no odor just irritated itching 😑
27 Mar 2024

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Myllie
9 Nov 2023

no judgement zone please lol. but ever since i’ve been pregnant, both me and my man have been negative for STDs. the last time i was checked was 9/22 and his on 10/11. we both know for a fact we’ve only been with each other and there’s no way we could have been messing around. i got a swab on 11/01 and it came back positive for chlamydia! like wtf. both of us are super confused. we’re hoping it’s a false positive because we don’t know how this could be possible. and it sucks bc it’s making our relationship crumble. we both are getting retested so hopefully they come back negative. i’ve also read that false positives on STD tests are common during pregnancy which is crazy. has anybody heard or been through anything like this????? #help

11 comments
M
Myllie
and i’ve been checked 3 whole times before this since pregnancy and it’s always been negative. it just doesn’t make any sense
27 Mar 2024

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Danielle 🦦🪷
Have you ever had that before? Ever
27 Mar 2024

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a
alexis
5 Oct 2023

i know this might be a little tmi but i’m not trying to be lol a girl just needs some help lol. so my discharge kinda has a smell to it but i’ve been checked and i have nothing and no stds so i was just wondering if it has something to do with just being pregnant or what but i need some help lol.this is my first pregnancy and i’m a paranoid mom already lol someone plz help.🙏🏻

4 comments
D
Daphne
Yeast infection maybe? It’s normal during pregnancy
27 Mar 2024

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alexis
see that’s what i’m thinking but i’m not sure i’m gonna go get rechecked tmr to make sure it’s not but i just got over one like a month ago so i’m just like ughhhh lol i just wanna make sure im alright so my baby is alright
27 Mar 2024

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Y
Yamille
28 Jun 2023

I’m 9 weeks and I went to my first appointment and they didn’t even touch me did not get any ultrasound they just took a pee test and took several vials of blood to make sure I have no stds and such but that was it. I wanted a ultrasound Idek my baby’s heartbeat nothing and I don’t think I’ll be getting an ultrasound for like 2 months anyone else?

7 comments
J
Jessica
Same with me, I went in at 9 weeks and only did a urine sample I’m 12 weeks and still no ultrasound. She said they usually call for an ultrasound between 11-14weeks which sucks
27 Mar 2024

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Yamille
It just makes me upset that other ppl get to see theirs and we don’t
27 Mar 2024

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K
Kylee
21 Oct 2022

Is it supposed to hurt after you have sex (no it wasn't rough)my baby father is not average size penis he has a lot of penis 🤦🏾‍♀️ last time he sent me to the ER 🙄 AFTER SEX I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT it's been months since we last had sex and I finally get some and I'm in pain and back at the ER mind you I have no STDs he just keeps giving me a UTI why is that and plus I'm a diabetic

10 comments
J
Jenna
Your more sentive while pregnant
27 Mar 2024

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Jenna
That’s normal pregnancy will do that you can b the cleanest person and still get uti just make sides your peeing after sex even if it’s a drop
27 Mar 2024

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Jaquaila
8 Oct 2022

Out my whole pregnancy I haven’t took not 1 pill for headaches or body aches or any other stuff just my prenatals haven’t had no yeast infections or stds 🤮or nothing 🤷🏽‍♀️ vaginal area very healthy 🫶🏾

5 comments
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Sharnell
Vaginal area very healthy is how it’s suppose to b 🥰🫶🏽
27 Mar 2024

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Jaquaila
*Didn’t meant to put heath 😭 don’t know wtf tht mean
27 Mar 2024

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B
Bink
11 Jan 2022

Have you ever had an STD? I am about to go to my first OB appt and never been tested for STDs but have only been with one person who was also a virgin. Personally Id be shocked if I had one but you never know.

6 comments
B
Blocked user
So did you test positive? How will it affect the baby
27 Mar 2024

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B
Bink
I havent been tested, but naturally I am anxious about every little test and if it by some chance it becomes positive. Idk why I think of these scenarios but i am sure others may have some good stories!
27 Mar 2024

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E
Ebony
9 Jan 2022

Question. Did y’all parents talk about sex with you or y’all had to learn it the hard way on your own? I’m not sure what I’m having but I definitely hope my child is comfortable enough to talk to me about it before doing it or even after they lose they V cause from what I learned It’s definitely more than just STDs and pregnancy to be taught about it. Sex is way deeper than that

0 comments
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Rachael
I had classes in school about it. Health class, take a fake baby home, how to put a condom on, talk about your period, all that.
27 Mar 2024

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Ebony
that’s good! How old were you when yall had that conversation if you remember
27 Mar 2024

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Sierra
7 Jan 2022

My ultrasound went well.. now I'm at the Dr office with my BD Getting checked for STDS

0 comments
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DeeDee
The doc will tell you if you had std when u go that’s why they take your pee
27 Mar 2024

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