Your Guide to STD Check during Pregnancy: Insights Explained!
Are you planning to conceive and start a family? If yes, then it is crucial to avert the risks of potential STDs during pregnancy so you and your future baby’s health is not compromised. Thus, delay not – read this blog to learn steps for preventing fatal STDs and embark on a safe pregnancy journey from now on!
Why should you get an STD test before pregnancy?
Certain STDs like HIV are capable of passing to the foetus during pregnancy or at the time of birth. This can cause severe long-term health problems for the baby, and in extreme cases, the child may die. However, with early detection of STDs, the doctor can timely diagnose and treat the suspected, thus lowering the chances of transmission and similar risks. Here’s a list of complications you may expect from an untreated case.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Tissue scarring of reproductive organs
- Infected sperms with reduced motility
- Oligospermia
- Reduced birth weight
- Preterm labour and premature baby
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirths
When you take a test before conceiving, it helps to cancel the presence of underlying infections. Moreover, the doctor can guide you on the safest procedures for ensuring a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Benefits of having an STD Test before Pregnancy
Besides protecting the health of you and your family, an STD screening provides a wide range of advantages. They are as follows:
- Minimises unwanted frustration due to fear of germ transmission
- Enhanced efficiency of medications and treatment
- Protects the reproductive health of parents
- Promotes trust between partners and strengthens relationship
Many STDs remain asymptomatic for a long time until the infection has spread to a great extent, for example – herpes, syphilis, gonorrhoea, etc. When left unchecked, these infections increase the risk of transmission down the lineage and give rise to congenital disabilities.
Do I need an STD screening before opting for IVF treatment?
Yes, for sure! If you are unable to get pregnant naturally, an IVF treatment comes to help. But, before embarking on the journey, it is essential to check the presence of STDs that may hamper your and your unborn’s health in the long run. Several IVF clinics in London ask individuals to get tested for sexually transmitted infections to ensure 100% success of the artificially induced conception. This helps to relieve the want-to-be mother’s stress and promotes treatment outcomes.
Which STDs are dangerous for pregnancy?
Following is a list of potential STDs that can negatively affect pregnancy and impact the developing foetus.
Syphilis
Untreated syphilis cases may result in unwanted abortion, preterm births, stillbirths and child death. The germ is passed from the mother to the child during birth if the baby comes into direct contact with an open blister.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, can pass through the placental wall and reach the foetus. It can also infect the child while the mother gives birth or breastfeeds. Fatal symptoms in infants include inability to thrive, weakened immunity, prone to frequent infections, inflamed meninges, etc.
Herpes
Suppose you happen to be infected with genital herpes during pregnancy. In that case, there is a high risk of transmission to the child. Such a case is known as neonatal herpes, which may worsen with time and cause fatalities to the infant. Vital organs such as the eyes, nose, and mouth are affected. However, the infection rate is very low, about 1 out of 5,000 live births.
Chlamydia
Untreated chlamydia infections are responsible for causing birth complications during and post-pregnancy. It results in preterm labour and low weight of the child during birth. In some instances, the child may develop eye infections such as conjunctivitis.
Hepatitis B
Individuals not vaccinated against Hepatitis B may pass on the infection to their offspring during birth. This can severely affect the baby’s liver and cause subsequent complications in later life. Females with Hepatitis B also have an increased risk of premature delivery.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea germ is generally passed during vaginal delivery. Babies may develop potential life-threatening infections such as vaginitis, scalp inflammations, urethral and eye infections. In extreme cases, the baby may turn permanently blind.
What to do if I am detected with an STD while pregnant?
There is no need to fear if you are detected with the presence of STDs. Simply make sure that after getting test results, you consult the doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible. He will suggest suitable medications and follow-up plans for quick recovery and clearance of the germ.
However, suppose your infection is not curable, or you have already become pregnant with the STD germ in your body. In that case, the doctor will ensure safe delivery methods to bring out the baby. Some alternative methods are a cesarean section, high-dose antiviral medicines, etc.
Can I Have a Baby With an STD?
Yes, you can! However, you must take precautions to protect the baby from contracting infections. The transmission risks do not fall short, and additional medications are needed to reduce danger in such cases. Doctors may also employ sophisticated delivery methods for the unborn child.
Conclusion:
A complete STD testing guide is a great way to encourage a healthy pregnancy. Not only does it relieve your mind from unnecessary stress and tension, but it also cuts down the chances of your baby contracting a potentially fatal illness.
Several healthcare institutions are available in London that facilitate affordable screening services for couples. Thus, if you want to become a parent, quickly schedule your appointment at a private sexual health clinic in London. And the best part? These screening facilities are rapid and ensure the confidentiality of patients!
