Pregnancy is a very special and hopeful time in every woman's life. But during this time, we need to think twice about the health of our own and the little one in our womb. Today we are going to talk about a topic that many people hesitate to talk about, but it is definitely worth being aware of. That is, sexually transmitted diseases that can be contracted during pregnancy, or STDs as we all know them. Before we get scared about this, let's get the facts straight.
Simply put, what are these sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They can be spread through sexual activity involving the genitals, mouth, or rectum.
Whether you are pregnant or not, these conditions are very serious and require treatment. But if you are pregnant, you are not the only one at risk. These diseases can also cause serious harm to your unborn baby.
Usually, during your first prenatal visit, your doctor will test you for several of these conditions. But if you have even the slightest suspicion that you have one, don't hesitate to tell your doctor. Starting treatment early is the best way to protect yourself and your baby.
What are the symptoms of an STD?
Sometimes these diseases don't show any symptoms. That's the scariest thing. But if symptoms do appear, they can look like this.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Skin changes | Lumps, sores, or warts in the mouth, anus, vagina, or penis. |
| Swelling and redness | Swelling or redness around the genitals. |
| Difficulty urinating | Burning or pain when urinating. |
| Discharge | Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis (possibly with a foul odor). |
| Abnormal bleeding | Vaginal bleeding when it is not a monthly period. |
| Severe itching | Unbearable itching in the genital area. |
| Other common features | Body aches, fever, chills, weight loss, diarrhea, yellowing of the skin (jaundice). |
How do these diseases affect pregnancy and the baby?
This is the most important part. Each STD affects pregnancy and the baby differently. Let's look at it clearly.
| Name of the disease | Impact and treatment |
|---|---|
| HIV/AIDS | Impact: With today's advanced medications, mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be largely prevented. However, if transmission occurs, the child can also become infected with HIV . Treatment: Seeking medical advice before pregnancy and taking appropriate medications during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to the child. |
| Herpes | Impact: If the mother has active genital herpes lesions at the time of birth, there is a high chance that the baby will be infected. This can cause damage to the baby's eyes and nervous system. It can even be life-threatening. Treatment: If herpes sores are active at the time of delivery , doctors often recommend a cesarean section (C-section) to prevent infection of the baby. Antiviral pills are given. |
| Gonorrhea | Impact: If left untreated, it increases the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. If the infection is transmitted during birth, the baby can become blind, develop joint infections, or develop life-threatening blood infections. Treatment: Can be completely cured with antibiotics. Since it can be present even without symptoms, all babies are given an eye drop at birth to prevent infection. |
| HPV (Genital Warts) | Effects: Genital warts can enlarge during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. If they become large enough to interfere with delivery, a C-section may be necessary. Treatment: Treatment is often done after the baby is born. Surgery or other methods are used to remove the warts. |
| Chlamydia | Impact: Increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. If the baby is infected, it can cause severe eye infections and pneumonia. Treatment: The mother is treated with antibiotics . After treatment, she should be re-examined in 3 months to see if the disease has completely cleared up. |
| Syphilis | Impact: This is very dangerous. This disease can easily be transmitted to the baby through the placenta. It can even cause the death of the baby. Children who survive can have serious problems with the brain, eyes, ears, heart, skin, teeth, and bones. Treatment: Giving antibiotics during pregnancy can prevent the baby from contracting the disease and cure the mother's illness. |
| Hepatitis B | Impact: If the mother has this infection, there is about a 40% risk that the baby will also be infected. If that happens, the baby will be a carrier of the disease for the rest of his life and may suffer from liver disease. Treatment: Fortunately, this can be prevented with early detection and the hepatitis B vaccine. A vaccine (antibodies) given to the baby at birth prevents the infection from passing from mother to baby. |
| Trichomoniasis | Effects: Yellow-green vaginal discharge. Increases the risk of premature birth. Rarely, the baby can also be infected. Treatment: Can be cured with medication. It is essential that your partner is treated at the same time. This is important to prevent reinfection. |
The most important thing is that if you are given antibiotics to treat an STD, you should take the full course of medication, even if you no longer have symptoms. Never use someone else's medication or share your medication with someone else.
How can you protect yourself from such diseases?
There are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself from these diseases.
- Safe sex: Always use a latex condom, especially if you have more than one sexual partner.
- Limiting partners: The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of contracting a disease.
- Monogamy: If, like you, your partner only has sex with you, the risk is very low.
- Taking care of your partner: Avoid having sex with someone who seems to have symptoms or has multiple partners.
- Avoiding alcohol and drugs: When you are using alcohol or drugs, you are more likely to not follow safe practices. These are also very harmful to the baby in the womb.
- Get tested: If you have a disease, don't pass it on to your partner or baby. Getting tested early in pregnancy doesn't mean you won't develop a disease later. So if you've been engaging in risky behavior, get tested again.
Take-Home Message
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a serious health concern, especially during pregnancy.
- If you have any symptoms or concerns, don't be shy or afraid to talk openly with your doctor about it.
- Early detection and prompt treatment are the best ways to protect yourself and your baby.
- If you are confirmed to have an illness, it is essential that your partner is also tested and treated if necessary. Otherwise, you could be infected again.
- Many of these diseases can be avoided by practicing safe sex.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න