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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy
What are sexually transmitted diseases?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that
are passed from one person to another by sexual contact,
mainly sexual intercourse. They usually affect the male or
female genital area; for example, the penis or vagina.
If you are pregnant and have an STD, your unborn child or
newborn may get the infection and be harmed by it. Herpes,
syphilis, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), and
chlamydia are the most common STDs that might be harmful to
a baby. HIV infection, which causes AIDS, is another, very
serious sexually transmitted disease.
How do they occur?
Bacteria and viruses cause STDs. They are usually passed
between partners during sexual intercourse. It is possible
to have one of these infections without knowing it. You
could infect your partner before you know you have an STD.
An unborn baby or newborn can get an STD in the following
ways:
- The bacteria or viruses go into the placenta during the
pregnancy and infect the baby before birth.
- After the amniotic sac breaks during labor, the bacteria
or viruses move up the birth canal and infect the baby.
- During delivery the baby comes in contact with bacteria
or viruses in the mother's genital area, for example,
from infected blisters in and near the vagina.
- The baby gets the infection from an infected baby in the
nursery.
What are the symptoms?
Your symptoms depend on the cause of the infection. The
most common symptoms are:
- painful bumps, blisters, or sores in the genital area
that may stay and get worse or may come and go
- a rash in the genital area or on the palms of the hands
and soles of the feet
- warty growths in the genital area
- itching in the genital area
- painful joints
- pain in the pelvic area or abdomen
- sore throat
- a yellow discharge from the vagina that may smell bad
- frequent or painful urination.
You may have an infection but not have any symptoms.
An infected baby may have mild or very serious problems,
depending on what is causing the infection and how far it
has spread. The baby may have any of the following
symptoms:
- sores on the eyes, skin, mouth, or scalp
- central nervous system problems, such as convulsions,
mental retardation
- tiredness
- no appetite
- vomiting, fever, and irritability
- jaundice (skin that looks too yellow)
- breathing problems
- blood-clotting problems
- shock
- rash
- enlarged spleen and liver
- edema (swelling)
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- red eyes with pus within a few days after birth
- pain in the joints
- growths on the vocal cords.
Babies may also have an infection without any symptoms.
How are they diagnosed?
Your health care provider will ask you if you or the child's
father has had any symptoms of these diseases. At your
first prenatal visit, you will be tested for viral and
bacterial infections with:
- lab tests of a sample of cells from the genital area,
cervix, or other areas that are commonly infected
- blood tests.
These tests may be repeated later during the pregnancy if
necessary.
The health care provider will use one or more of the
following tests and procedures to diagnose infection in a
newborn:
- lab tests of samples of the blood, urine, spinal fluid,
or discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth
- exam with a microscope of cells from areas that may be
infected
- blood tests
- x-rays of the chest, bones, joints, or skull.
How are they treated?
If you have syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia, you will be
treated with antibiotics. The child's father or any of
your sex partners should also get treatment.
If you have a herpes infection during your pregnancy, you
may be given medicine to treat the infection and to prevent
the infection from returning. If you have a herpes sore or
a positive test for herpes when you go into labor, you will
probably have a cesarean section. This will help prevent
the baby from being infected with the virus during birth.
If you have an HIV infection, medicine will be given to you
before the baby is born to help prevent the baby from having
AIDS.
An infected baby must receive treatment because the
infection could result in very serious problems or death.
Treatment may include medication and frequent checkups after
the baby goes home. In some cases the baby may need to stay
in the hospital for treatment.
How can I help prevent my baby from having an STD?
With careful and regular checkups during pregnancy, and
proper medicine when necessary, a baby can be born without a
sexually transmitted infection. You should be tested for
STDs at your first prenatal visit. Be sure to report any
suspicious symptoms immediately to your health care
provider.
Have one sexual partner who you know does not have an
infection and does not have any other sexual partners. If
you are not sure of this, use latex condoms during foreplay
and sexual intercourse to help prevent yourself from
becoming infected.
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