Can I Pass My STD to My Child?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Both are very common today. There are dozens of different types, and millions of new infections occur every year in the United States.

According to the CDC, pregnant women should get tested and treated for STIs. Even though many of these infections don’t have symptoms, an STD or STI can harm you and your baby. Often, the only way you’ll know if you have one is through testing.

Keep reading to learn about how you can pass an STD to your child and where you can get free testing and treatment.

What Specific STDs Can I Pass to My Baby?

STDs pass from one person to their partner through oral, anal, and vaginal sex. The CDC recommends that every pregnant woman be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C early in pregnancy.

All sexually active women under the age of 25 should also be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every year. Women 25 and older who have new partners, multiple partners, or a partner with an existing STI should also be tested annually.

Gonorrhea

This STI often has either no symptoms or symptoms that resemble a bladder or vaginal infection. A pregnant woman with gonorrhea can give the infection to her baby during childbirth. It’s important to get tested and treated early in pregnancy to avoid health problems for you and your baby.

Syphilis

Syphilis develops in four stages. It can pass to babies during pregnancy, which is referred to as congenital syphilis. If left untreated, this infection can cause a miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, or the death of the baby shortly after birth.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. It also has the potential to cause a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia is another infection that a woman can give to her baby during delivery.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B usually affects the liver and often occurs without immediate symptoms. CDC

recommends everyone get tested for hepatitis B at least once in their life. Still, they specifically encourage pregnant women to be tested because the disease can be passed to a baby during childbirth.

HIV

The CDC recommends that every pregnant woman get tested for HIV.

Where Can I Get Free Testing and Treatment?

The team at Lakes Lifecare Center knows the importance of being tested for STDs/STIs, whether you’re pregnant or not. We offer free testing and treatment for the two most common STDs: chlamydia and gonorrhea.

We also know how difficult and embarrassing it can be to request testing. But receiving regular testing keeps you, your partner, and your baby healthy and safe.

Conveniently schedule an appointment online, call us at 651-464-4340, or text us at 651-998-9066. You are our priority.