How can an STI during pregnancy affect your baby?

STIs during pregnancy can cause many complications. For example:

• HIV. Pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, labor and vaginal delivery, or breast-feeding. However, if HIV is diagnosed before or early in pregnancy, steps can be taken to reduce the risk of transmission.
• Hepatitis B. The greatest risk of transmission occurs when pregnant women become infected close to delivery. Transmission can be prevented if at-risk infants are treated shortly after birth.
• Chlamydia. Chlamydia during pregnancy has been linked to preterm labor, premature rupture of the membranes and low birth weight. Chlamydia can be passed from women to their babies during a vaginal delivery. If diagnosed during pregnancy, chlamydia can be successfully treated with an antibiotic.
• Syphilis. Syphilis during pregnancy has been linked to premature birth, stillbirth and, in some cases, death after birth. Untreated infants have a high risk of complications involving multiple organs.
• Gonorrhea. Untreated gonorrhea during pregnancy has been linked to premature birth, premature rupture of the membranes and low birth weight. Gonorrhea can be passed to the baby during vaginal delivery.
• Hepatitis C. Some research suggests that hepatitis C during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, small size for gestational age and low birth weight. This type of liver infection can be passed to the baby during pregnancy.

Other effects of an STI on your baby can include:

• Eye infection
• Pneumonia
• Blood infection
• Brain damage
• Blindness
• Deafness
• Chronic liver disease