STDs and pregnancy
THE FACTS

Protect Yourself + Protect Your Partner

Photo of pregnant woman

THE FACTS
• If you’re pregnant and you have a sexually transmitted
disease (STD), you may pass the infection to your baby.
• Every woman who is pregnant should be checked for
some STDs during her fi rst prenatal visit.
• You can have an STD without knowing it. Many STDs do
not have symptoms.
• If you don’t get treatment for an STD, it can lead to
serious health problems for both you and your baby.
• Many STDs are easily treated and cured.

Photo of couple

HOW CAN PREGNANT WOMEN LOWER
THEIR RISK FOR STDs?
• The surest way to reduce your risk of STDs during
pregnancy is not to have sex or to have sex only
with someone who’s not infected and who has sex
only with you.
• Condoms can reduce your risk of getting some STDs
if used the right way every single time you have sex.
A condom protects only the area it covers. Areas the
condom doesn’t cover can be infected.
• Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex
will not prevent any STD.

Photo of couple

Can I get an STD while I’m pregnant?
Yes, you can get an STD while you’re
pregnant if you have sex with someone who
has an STD. Being pregnant does not protect
you or your baby against STDs. You may also
get pregnant while you have an STD. If you
are pregnant and have an STD, it may be
important to get treatment.

How can an STD affect me and my baby?

• You may pass the infection to your baby before, during, or after
the baby’s birth.
• You could go into labor too early. This makes it more likely that
your baby will be born weighing less than 5 pounds, which is less
than a healthy newborn baby should weigh.
• A doctor might decide to do a cesarean delivery (“C-section”) to
protect your baby from infection.
• The infection may cause serious health problems in your baby.

When should I be tested?
• You should be tested the fi rst time you see a
doctor after you fi nd out you’re pregnant.
• Even if you’ve been tested for STDs in the past,
you should be tested again when you become
pregnant.
• It may be helpful for some of the tests to be done
again when you get closer to your due date.

How can I fi nd out if I have an STD?
Most STDs can be found with a simple test. Not all doctors will
routinely test pregnant women for STDs, so it’s best to ask a doctor
to check you for STDs.
It’s a good idea to get tested for these STDs:
• Chlamydia (cla MI dee a)
• Hepatitis B
• HIV
• Syphilis (SI fi lis)
A doctor may also suggest that you be tested for gonorrhea
(gon a REE a) and Hepatitis C.

If I have an STD, what does that mean for my partner?
• Your partner may have an STD too.
• Be sure to tell your recent sex partners, so they can get tested
and treated if necessary.
• Avoid having sex until you’ve both fi nished your treatment,
so you don’t re-infect each other.

How are STDs treated?
• Many STDs can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
• Your doctor can recommend medicines to treat an STD that are
safe to take while you’re pregnant.
• Finish all of the medicine to be sure you are cured.
• Do not share your medicine with anyone. You need all of it.
What happens if I don’t get treated?
If you don’t treat an STD, the infection stays in your body. It may
spread and cause serious health problems. You might also pass
the STD to your baby. Many STDs can cause serious health
problems for babies.

A message for everyone
Protect yourself and your pa rtner.
Always see a doctor if your partner is being treated for an STD. Also see
the doctor if you or your sex partner notice any symptoms, such as an
unusual sore.
If you have an STD, you should be tested for others. Be sure to tell your
recent sex partners, so they can get tested and treated if necessary. Talk
openly and honestly with your partner about STDs.
For more information
• Talk to your doctor.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
• Visit www.cdc.gov/std/STDFact-STDs&Pregnancy.htm.

CDC Publication No. 99-8826