• Home

  • Read

  • Listen

  • Watch

  • Workshops

  • More

    STD's and Pregnancy- What You Need to Know.


    The rate of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and diseases (STD) are at record high levels. Considering one in four Americans or 110 million total Americans has an STD it is a topic that should be discussed; especially when there is risk of transfer in utero. Screening for STDs is the best means to avoiding passage to the baby. During your initial prenatal visit your doctor or midwife will likely screen you for Chlamydia, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunosuppressive Virus(HIV). All other STDs are not routinely screened as they do not pose a great threat unless an outbreak is active at birth. If you think you have an STD tell your doctor or midwife immediately; the faster the disease is discovered and treated the less risk it can pose to the growing fetus. These screenings are routine and may take place at various times throughout the pregnancy, especially during the third trimester to ensure the baby will not be exposed at birth.

    If an expecting mother does display symptoms or tests positive for an STD, there are ways to prevent the STD from spreading to the baby. The treatment depends on the type of STD. For a bacterial STD like Gonorrhea or Syphilis, an antibiotic is generally prescribed and unless re-exposed to the disease it should not return. For a viral STD like HIV or Herpes the virus will never fully go away, however, antiviral medication can potentially terminate the outbreak and prevent further outbreaks. Because viral STDs can never completely be abolished, it is important to ensure the integrity of your immune system so that if you are at risk of an outbreak your body is better able to fight it off.

    If an outbreak does occur near the estimated due date, a cesarean birth may be recommended to diminish the risk of the baby being exposed to active lesions as they pass through the birth canal. Avoiding contact with the region may reduce the risk of the baby having eye infections (which can lead to blindness), pneumonia, blood disorders, genital warts and other serious conditions. The best means to avoiding an STD is through refraining from oral, vaginal, and anal sex, or to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and proven to be uninfected. Be sure to have a candid conversation with your provider as each case is different and other safe options may be available to you.

    Tags:

    • pregnancy
    • labor & delivery
    • Pregnancy
    • •
    • Labor & Delivery
    • •
    • STD
    Featured Posts
    Post Partum Healing: How to Support Emotional Healing after Pregnancy and Birth

    Post Partum Healing: How to Support Emotional Healing after Pregnancy and Birth

    Prenatal Fitness | By Lindsey Mathews, DC

    Prenatal Fitness | By Lindsey Mathews, DC

    Selecting Your Birth Team | By Ana Paula Markel CCE, CD

    Selecting Your Birth Team | By Ana Paula Markel CCE, CD

    Don’t Get Stung by the Buzzwords! | By Melinda Olson, RN/BS

    Don’t Get Stung by the Buzzwords! | By Melinda Olson, RN/BS

    Group B-Strep | By Davi K Khalsa, CNM

    Group B-Strep | By Davi K Khalsa, CNM

    Understanding Stretch Marks | By Kim Walls, MS

    Understanding Stretch Marks | By Kim Walls, MS

    13 Myths About Vaginal Birth After Cesarean | By Jennifer Kamel of VBACFacts.com

    13 Myths About Vaginal Birth After Cesarean | By Jennifer Kamel of VBACFacts.com

    How to Restore Your Core Postpartum | By Lara Catone

    How to Restore Your Core Postpartum | By Lara Catone

    Invest in a Good Quality Nursing Bra | By Lisa Goodman 'The Bra Lady'

    Invest in a Good Quality Nursing Bra | By Lisa Goodman 'The Bra Lady'

    Roadside Delivery: Part 3 | By Marisa Callahan

    Roadside Delivery: Part 3 | By Marisa Callahan

    {"items":["5fb5866da9932400173ed66c","5fb5866c47709f00171fe210","5fb5866c47709f00171fe20f","5fb5866c47709f00171fe20e","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f4","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f3","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f2","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f1","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f0","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0ef"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Strips","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"fill","cubeRatio":"100%/100%","isVertical":false,"gallerySize":30,"collageDensity":0.8,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":true,"imageMargin":0,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"rotatingScatter":"","chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":false,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":true,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":1,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":120,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCropRatios":"","columnWidths":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":false,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":true,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":3,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":"SHOW_ON_HOVER","galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":true,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":1,"scrollDuration":400,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":18,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":160,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":0,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":50,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"jsonStyleParams":"","gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":220,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":5,"targetItemSize":220,"selectedLayout":"5|bottom|1|fill|false|1|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":5,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":0,"externalInfoWidth":0},"container":{"width":220,"height":284,"galleryWidth":220,"galleryHeight":123,"scrollBase":0}}
    Recent Posts
    Cholestasis of Pregnancy

    Cholestasis of Pregnancy

    Take Two

    Take Two

    STD's and Pregnancy- What You Need to Know.

    STD's and Pregnancy- What You Need to Know.

    When 'Morning Sickness' Lasts All Day

    When 'Morning Sickness' Lasts All Day

    Momnesia

    Momnesia

    Hemorrhoids can be a real pain

    Hemorrhoids can be a real pain

    Does what I eat really affect my milk?

    Does what I eat really affect my milk?

    Nitrous Oxide in Labor

    Nitrous Oxide in Labor

    Project Bumpway

    Project Bumpway

    The Epidural Cocktail

    The Epidural Cocktail

    {"items":["5fb5866c3f69fb0017e016c4","5fb5866c3f69fb0017e016c3","5fb5866afae0240017599fa4","5fb5866afae0240017599fa3","5fb5866afae0240017599fa2","5fb5866afae0240017599fa1","5fb5866afae0240017599fa0","5fb5866afae0240017599f9f","5fb5866afae0240017599f9e","5fb5866afae0240017599f9d"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Columns","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"max","cubeRatio":1.7777777777777777,"isVertical":true,"gallerySize":30,"collageAmount":0,"collageDensity":0,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":false,"imageMargin":22,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"rotatingScatter":"","chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":true,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":false,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":0,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":50,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCropRatios":"","columnWidths":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":true,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":false,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":4,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":["SHOW_ON_THE_RIGHT","SHOW_BELOW"],"galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":false,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":0,"scrollDuration":400,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":23,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":200,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":60,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":75,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"jsonStyleParams":"","gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":1000,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"itemBorderColor":{"themeName":"color_12","value":"rgba(0,105,144,0)"},"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":2,"calculateTextBoxHeightMode":"MANUAL","targetItemSize":1000,"selectedLayout":"2|bottom|1|max|true|0|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":2,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":60,"externalInfoWidth":0.75},"container":{"width":220,"galleryWidth":242,"galleryHeight":0,"scrollBase":0,"height":null}}
    Archive
    • December 2018 (1) 1 post
    • October 2018 (1) 1 post
    • May 2018 (1) 1 post
    • February 2018 (1) 1 post
    • January 2018 (1) 1 post
    • December 2017 (1) 1 post
    • November 2017 (1) 1 post
    • September 2017 (1) 1 post
    • August 2017 (1) 1 post
    • July 2017 (2) 2 posts
    • June 2017 (1) 1 post
    • May 2017 (3) 3 posts
    • April 2017 (3) 3 posts
    • March 2017 (4) 4 posts
    • February 2017 (6) 6 posts
    • January 2017 (1) 1 post
    • January 2016 (13) 13 posts
    Search By Tags
    • Anesthesia
    • baby care
    • birth
    • Breast Milk
    • Breastfeeding
    • cholestasis
    • Chorioamnionitis
    • Epidural
    • feeding
    • fitness
    • forgetfulness
    • gender
    • Gray Matter
    • Hemorrhoid
    • Hormones
    • Itching
    • Itching during pregnancy
    • labor & delivery
    • Meconium
    • Momnesia
    • Morning Sickness
    • multiples
    • Nutrition
    • Pain
    • Pelvic Floor
    • Placenta Accreta
    • postpartum
    • pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Brain
    • relief
    • Supplements
    • Twin Birth
    • twins
    • Vitamins
    • yoga
    Follow Us
    • Facebook Basic Square
    • Twitter Basic Square
    • Home

    • Read

    • Listen

    • Watch

    • Workshops

    • More

      • Grey Facebook Icon
      • Grey Twitter Icon
      • Grey YouTube Icon
      • Grey Instagram Icon

      © 2021 Informed Pregnancy®