If I have an STI, what are the risks to my developing baby’s health?
Some STIs can harm a developing baby, like miscarriage, preterm birth, blindness or brain damage.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can be passed to the baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Treatment greatly reduces the chance the baby will get HIV.
Syphilis can be passed to a baby during pregnancy. If the developing baby becomes infected, it can lead to preterm birth, stillbirth, or death soon after birth. I can also cause deafness, blindness or brain damage in a newborn baby.
Gonorrhea can be passed to the baby during pregnancy or during birth. It can cause problems with the pregnancy including miscarriage and preterm birth as well as eye infections in a newborn. Gonorrhea may also lead to an inflammation of the uterus (endometritis) which can harm the pregnancy.
Trichomoniasis, also known as ‘trich’ can be passed on to a baby. This happens rarely but can lead to pregnancy problems including preterm birth.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) can be passed on to a baby during vaginal birth if there is an active outbreak during this time. This can cause a serious infection in the baby.
