Can I Pass My STD to My Child?
When a pregnancy is confirmed, attention often turns to ensuring the best possible health outcomes for the baby.
One common concern is whether a sexually transmitted disease (STD) could affect a developing child. Some infections can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth and may lead to health complications if left untreated. Understanding these risks and the available medical steps for prevention is an important part of prenatal care.
Women’s Care Medical Center is here to serve as a trusted resource for accurate information and care. In addition to free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, we host medical doctors on-site once a month to provide free comprehensive STD testing and physical exams.
Knowing your health status is a vital part of protecting yourself, your future, and your developing pregnancy. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your wellness in a private setting.
How STDs Can Affect Pregnancy
Certain STDs can pose serious risks to a pregnancy if they are not identified and treated:
- Syphilis: Can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborns. According to recent CDC data, nearly 4,000 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in the U.S. in 2024, with rates continuing to rise.
- HIV: Can be transmitted during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Early and consistent antiretroviral treatment significantly reduces the risk of transmission.
- Hepatitis B: Without intervention, up to 90% of infants born to an infected parent may become infected. Timely precautions and medical management greatly reduce this risk.
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): Rarely transmitted during pregnancy but may be passed to the baby during vaginal delivery if active lesions are present. In some cases, a cesarean delivery may be recommended to reduce risk.
Other STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea (30-47% risk of transmitting to newborns) can also be transmitted during childbirth. These infections may cause complications, including eye infections, pneumonia, or, in rare cases, sepsis in newborns.
Routine prenatal screening ensures these infections are treated promptly.
Prevention and Care
Many STDs can be safely treated or effectively managed during pregnancy. Early testing, appropriate antibiotics or antiviral medications, and delivery planning all play a role in reducing transmission risk and protecting your baby’s health. Accurate medical information allows providers to create an individualized care plan and helps minimize potential complications.
Take Action
If you are pregnant, or think you may be, and have concerns about STDs, getting tested is one of the most important steps you can take. Women’s Care Medical Center offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing in a confidential, supportive setting.
Contact us today to schedule a free appointment and receive clear, reliable information for a safer, healthier pregnancy.
Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken a home pregnancy test, you should verify the results. We provide confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing to help you receive the answers you need.
Ultrasounds
A positive pregnancy test isn’t enough information to make an informed decision. An ultrasound scan can determine how far along you are, the pregnancy’s location, and if it’s viable.
STD Testing
Before making a decision about your unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to know if you have an STD. Take control of your health, get tested today, and receive the peace of mind you deserve!
Pregnancy Testing
Even if you’ve taken a home pregnancy test, you should verify the results. We provide confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing to help you receive the answers you need.
Ultrasounds
A positive pregnancy test isn’t enough information to make an informed decision. An ultrasound scan can determine how far along you are, the pregnancy’s location, and if it’s viable.
STD Testing
Before making a decision about your unplanned pregnancy, it’s important to know if you have an STD. Take control of your health, get tested today, and receive the peace of mind you deserve!
