Protecting Your Little One with STI Screening During Pregnancy

Why STI Screening Matters

Even if you feel perfectly healthy, some infections slip under the radar—no symptoms in adults, but serious risks for babies:

• Chlamydia & Gonorrhea: Can cause newborn eye infections or pneumonia during vaginal delivery.
• Syphilis: Can cross the placenta and lead to developmental delays, bone problems, or even stillbirth if untreated.
• Herpes (HSV): Active outbreaks at delivery can trigger neonatal herpes; a C-section may be advised.
• Hepatitis B: Babies born to infected parents get medication and a vaccine right after birth to prevent chronic liver disease.
• HIV: Modern antiretrovirals can cut the risk of passing HIV to your baby to under 1%.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Baby

1. Routine Screening is Standard
   Most prenatal checkups include blood tests or swabs for these infections. If you haven’t seen it on your schedule yet, set up check-ins with our Prenatal Appointment Scheduler.
2. Treatments Are Safe and Effective
3. Bacterial infections (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis): antibiotics you can take while pregnant
4. Viral infections (HSV, HIV, HBV): medications to suppress outbreaks or block transmission
5. Plan Your Birth
   Your care team may recommend a C-section if there’s an active herpes outbreak—or special newborn treatments right after delivery.

More Tools to Support You

• Track Your Weight Gain: See our Weight Gain Tracker.
• Meet Your Nutrition Goals: Use the Nutritional Requirement Calculator.
• Monitor Baby’s Kicks: Stay connected with every little wiggle via our Kick Count Tracker.
• Explore All Prenatal Tools: Browse more under Prenatal Wellness Tools

Talk Openly with Your Provider

Your midwife or doctor is there to support you—no question is off limits. At your next visit, ask:

• “Which STIs am I being tested for?”
• “When will I get the results?”
• “If something comes up, what’s the action plan for me and my baby?”

Bottom Line

Routine STI screening and early treatment are simple, powerful ways to protect your baby’s health. By staying informed and using helpful tools, you’re already giving your little one a safer, stronger start!