Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

As the list of diseases known to be sexually transmitted continues to grow, it is important that you be aware of the harmful effects of these diseases and know how to protect yourself and your children against infection.

As a pregnant woman, you can become infected with the same sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as a woman who is not pregnant. Pregnancy does not provide women or their babies any protection against STDs. In fact, the effect of an STD can be much more serious — even life threatening — for you and your baby if the you become infected with an STD while you are pregnant. STDs can be passed from a pregnant woman to the baby before, during, or after the baby's birth.

Some STDs can lead to miscarriage, premature birth and other problems during childbirth. Some of these problems can be prevented if you receive routine prenatal care, which includes getting tested for STDs starting early in pregnancy and continuing throughout your pregnancy. Early treatment is important in the prevention of birth defects and passing diseases on to your baby. You should ask your doctor about getting tested for STDs, since some doctors do not routinely check for these diseases.

You can protect yourself against STDs by:

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 2004. http://www.cdc.gov/std/STDFact-STDs&Pregnancy.htm#affect