Yes, it is possible to pass a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI) to your child. 

Additionally, some STDs are asymptomatic, meaning you may not even know that you have an STD and are at risk of passing it to your child during pregnancy and delivery. 

If you suspect that you are pregnant, have an STD, or both, Salem Pregnancy Care Center is here to help you. 

Continue reading to learn more about the risks of passing an STD to your child, the benefits of frequent testing, and what options are available if you are pregnant and have an STD.

STDs and Pregnancy

Many STDs and STIs can be passed to your baby, either during pregnancy or during birth. 

For example, syphilis can pass through your placenta to your baby during your pregnancy. On the other hand, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and genital herpes can be transmitted to your baby during vaginal birth.

An untreated STD/STI can lead to health complications for your pregnancy as well as your baby, including:

  • Miscarriage
  • Preterm birth
  • Premature rupture of membranes (your water breaks before being full-term)
  • Low birth weight 
  • Eye infections (i.e., pink eye)
  • Heart, skin, and joint issues

Treatment During Pregnancy

While the impact of an STD/STI on your pregnancy and baby can be something you don’t want to think about, early testing and detection are a valuable part of treatment and management.

Treatment or management usually involves the use of antibiotics (which can cure a bacterial STD/STI) or antiviral medications, depending on the type of STD/STI present.

Get the Facts You Need

Whether you are pregnant or not, annual and as-needed testing is important if you are sexually active or have a new partner.

Salem Pregnancy Care Center provides free, on-site testing for STDs and STIs. We can also provide immediate treatment for common bacterial STDs or refer you to a trusted medical provider when the treatment is outside of our scope.

Our trained staff can also answer all your questions and provide information on ways to protect your health from STDs and STIs.Contact us today to schedule your free and confidential appointment or find the nearest location to you that our Mobile Clinic will be visiting soon.