Chlamydia During Pregnancy
How chlamydia affects you and baby during pregnancy and how to safely treat it.
What is chlamydia during pregnancy?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by bacteria. If you’ve got chlamydia, you’re probably wondering how it will affect your pregnancy.
What are the signs of chlamydia during pregnancy?
You might notice some vaginal discharge (which can be tricky to recognize during pregnancy) or pain when you pee. Often, though, women with chlamydia don’t experience any signs or symptoms.
Are there any tests for chlamydia during pregnancy?
All pregnant women should be screened for chlamydia in the first trimester.
How common is chlamydia during pregnancy?
Chlamydia is the most common STD in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 100,000 pregnant women have chlamydia.
How did I get chlamydia?
Chlamydia can be transmitted by oral, vaginal and anal sex, so it was likely from your partner or a past sexual partner.
How will my chlamydia affect my baby?
Untreated chlamydia can cause preterm labor. It can also be passed on to your baby at birth and cause an eye infection or pneumonia. It can also be really harmful to you: Untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Successfully treating chlamydia now increases your chances of another healthy pregnancy in the future (see next page for pregnancy-safe treatments).
-- Sharon Phelan, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico - Albuquerque