Hesperian Health Guides
Pregnancy and STIs
If you have a STI while you are pregnant, your baby can be exposed to the infection through your blood during pregnancy, during birth when the baby passes through the vagina, or in breast milk.
An untreated or uncontrolled STI can harm both you and your baby. Babies can be born too early or too small, and they can be born sick or get sick later on. Testing for a STI can either let you know that you do not have it and don’t need to worry about it, or can help you get the right treatment during pregnancy or birth. Treatment can cure you and the baby, and treatment will cure your partner too.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia
Gonorrhea or chlamydia can pass to the baby during birth and can cause eye infections, blindness, or serious lung problems. To prevent eye infections and blindness, put erythromycin ointment in the baby’s eyes right after birth (see Newborns Babies and Breastfeeding).
Syphilis
Syphilis can pass to the baby in the womb, causing it to be born too early, deformed, or dead. Get tested and treatment during pregnancy.
Herpes
Herpes can pass to a baby during birth if you have sores on the genitals. If you are newly diagnosed with herpes or have sores, it is best to give birth in a hospital. They might deliver the baby through an operation (C-section) and treat the baby after birth.
Warts
Warts will not usually pass to a baby, but they can bother you during pregnancy. Treat warts or wait until after birth to treat them. Because warts may bleed during birth, consult a health worker about your options for giving birth in a hospital.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can pass to a baby during pregnancy. The baby will need the HepB vaccine right after birth and other treatment to prevent hepatitis B infection.
HIV
Testing for HIV when pregnant means you can get medicines to prevent passing it to the baby. HIV medicines will protect you and the baby.