Pregnancy and
Sexually Transmitted
Infections
Did you know?
Anyone can get a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), and many STIs don’t have any signs.
Having an STI puts you at more risk for getting HIV.
What causes STIs?
STIs are caused by viruses and bacteria
• These “germs” can be on the skin, in vaginal fluids, semen
or blood
•
How are STIs passed (transmitted)?
STIs are passed by unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex
• Some STIs are also passed by sharing equipment to inject,
smoke or snort drugs
• A pregnant mom can pass an STI to her baby during
pregnancy, childbirth or, with HIV and Hepatitis infections,
when breastfeeding
•
Retest
• Get STI testing again if you or your partner(s) have:
–– unprotected sex before finishing treatment
–– STI signs or symptoms that did not go away after
treatment
–– any new sexual partner(s)
–– shared equipment to inject, smoke or snort drugs
Get immunized
• If you have not had Hepatitis B infection or been
immunized, get Hepatitis B immunization
How can I protect myself and my baby
from STIs?
Get tested
• Ask your doctor, midwife or nurse for information on STIs
• Get STI testing before trying to get pregnant or early in
your pregnancy ­– this is part of having a healthy pregnancy
• Encourage your partner(s) to be tested too
• Testing may involve a visual check, swab or blood test
Get STI treatment
• Get treated if you or your partner(s) have an STI
• Many bacterial STIs are easy to treat and cure
• Do not have sex until you and your partner(s) finish your
treatments and are cured
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What can STIs do to my baby?
Bacterial Infections
• Increases risk of premature birth and
Bacterial
Vaginosis and
low birth weight
Trichomoniasis
• Increases risk of premature birth
Chlamydia
• Can cause eye and lung infections
• Increases risk of premature birth and
Gonorrhea
miscarriage
• Can cause eye, ear, nose, joint and
serious blood infections
• Increases risk of low birth weight,
Syphilis
stillbirth and miscarriage
• Can cause blindness, deafness, bone
and teeth deformities, heart, lung
and brain damage
Viral Infections
Genital Warts
Hepatitis B
Herpes
HIV
If birth canal is blocked, may need a
C-section
• Warts rarely grow in a baby’s throat
• Can cause long term liver problems
• Increases risk of premature birth and
miscarriage
• If mother has open sores, may need a
C-section
• Can cause infections on the skin, in
the eye(s), body openings or nervous
system
• Can lead to AIDS
• Fewer than two babies in 100 acquire
HIV if mother has HIV treatment
•
What else can I do to reduce my risk?
Choose
• Choose a relationship where you and your partner are each
other’s only sexual partner
• Both of you should get STI testing to check for past STI
infection
Use
• Use a latex barrier (male or female condom, dental dam)
every time you have oral, vaginal or anal sex if you and/or
your partner(s) have:
–– not had STI testing
–– had new sexual partner(s)
–– have a viral STI, which can be treated to reduce
symptoms, but can’t be cured
–– ever shared equipment to use drugs
Don’t share
• Don’t share equipment to inject, smoke or snort drugs
• Ask for help to stop using
For information on STIs and for times and locations for
STI testing (including HIV) contact:
Region of Waterloo Public Health
Sexual Health and Harm Reduction
519-883-2267
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/ph 519-575-4400 TTY 519-575-4608 Fax 519-883-2241