Will I Pass My STD to My Child?
It is possible to transmit a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) to your baby during pregnancy or delivery. But with proper testing and treatment, you can protect yourself, your child, and your partner.
It’s also possible to have a sexually transmitted disease without showing any symptoms. This fact means that even if you don’t have any symptoms, you could still pass on the STD to others.
At Women’s Care Medical Center, our medical staff offers limited, no-cost STD testing for qualifying patients with a positive pregnancy test and STD treatment if your test is positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea.
Proper prenatal care is essential for your health and your child.
What Are the Risks of Untreated STDs?
Complications of STDs for Women
Mayo Clinic lists the following complications for women if STDs are left untreated:
- Pain
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Infection in the womb after birth
If you’re sexually active, getting tested is highly recommended, even if you’re not showing any symptoms.
Complications of STD to a Child
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), babies are also at risk if their mother has an untreated STD:
- Low birth weight (less than 5 pounds)
- Eye infection
- Pneumonia
- Infection in the baby’s blood
- Brain damage
- Lack of coordination in body movements
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Acute hepatitis
- Meningitis
- Chronic liver disease, which can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
- Stillbirth
Do I Still Need STD Testing if I Want an Abortion?
Whether or not you terminate your pregnancy, you should still get tested for an STD because if you leave it untreated, there is a risk for a uterine infection, also called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Damage from PID can result in chronic pelvic pain, an increased chance of ectopic pregnancies in subsequent pregnancies, or infertility.
Free STD Testing & Treatment
Once a month, we offer STD testing on-site with our medical doctors, who can provide a more comprehensive STD test and physical exam.
Receive no-cost STD testing if you qualify with a positive pregnancy test. We can also provide treatment at no cost if your test is positive for chlamydia and/or gonorrhea.
Book your free appointment today. Your health matters.
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!
