With pregnancy comes feelings of hope, excitement, and sometimes anxiety. Your thoughts may jump from “Is baby growing okay?” to “What do I need to do to protect my health and the health of my baby?” One area that often doesn’t get as much attention as it should is sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during pregnancy. But truthfully? Knowing your STI status during pregnancy is a key piece of keeping both you and your baby safe.
In this article, we’ll walk with you through:
- The most common STIs in pregnancy
- Why it matters to know your status
- What STI testing and treatment looks like during pregnancy
- How Heartline can support you through this process
1. What’s the Deal with STIs & Pregnancy?
First off: pregnancy doesn’t protect you from having or getting an STI. STIs can happen anytime. Some STIs can also behave differently when you’re pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that “pregnancy does not provide women or their babies protection against STIs” and urges that testing be a part of routine prenatal care.
So what should you be aware of when it comes to the most common STIs and pregnancy?
a) Chlamydia & Pregnancy
- Chlamydia is one of the most common reportable STIs in the U.S.
- Many people with chlamydia don’t know it—they may have no symptoms.
- In pregnancy, untreated chlamydia can lead to complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, infection in the newborn’s eyes or respiratory tract, and increased risk of postpartum infections.
b) Gonorrhea & Pregnancy
- Gonorrhea is also often asymptomatic in pregnant women.
- If untreated, it can increase risks of miscarriage, premature rupture of membranes (water breaking early), preterm birth, and can be passed to the newborn during delivery (e.g. eye infections).
- The newborn’s eyes are especially vulnerable—many states require prophylactic treatment (e.g. eye ointment) right after birth to prevent neonatal eye infections.
c) Syphilis & Pregnancy
- Syphilis can cross the placenta and infect the developing baby, possibly leading to stillbirth, neonatal death, prematurity, congenital syphilis (which can affect multiple organs), or lifelong health problems.
- Because of those risks, syphilis testing is standard in pregnancy.
- Treatment in pregnancy usually involves penicillin, as it’s the only reliably effective antibiotic for preventing fetal infection.
d) Herpes simplex virus (HSV) & Pregnancy
- HSV-1 or HSV-2 can lead to neonatal herpes if a mother has active genital lesions or viral shedding at delivery.
- In many women, herpes is dormant or asymptomatic, so knowing your history and HSV status helps guide delivery decisions.
2. Why Should I Get Tested for STIs During Pregnancy?
You might wonder: Isn’t the baby protected behind the placenta? Or—if I feel fine—does it really matter if I have an STI? The simple answer is: yes, it matters a lot. Here’s why:
a) Many STIs are silent, even during pregnancy.
You may have no symptoms—no pain, no discharge, no obvious sign that something is off. But the infection may still be harming your pregnancy or putting your baby at risk.
b) There are STI risks to both mother and baby.
If untreated:
- Preterm birth and low birth weight become more likely (especially with chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis).
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, or fetal death (in syphilis).
- Neonatal infection: The baby may develop eye infections, pneumonia, sepsis, or herpes.
- Long-term damage, especially with congenital syphilis, which can affect bones, hearing, teeth, neurological development.
- Increased chance of postpartum infections or complications in the mother.
c) STI treatment is often safer when given earlier in pregnancy.
The earlier an STI is detected and treated in pregnancy, the lower the chance of complications. Waiting until delivery or later can limit options or raise risk.
d) Preventing reinfection or transmission
If your partner has an untreated infection, you could be reinfected after treatment. Also, treating partners reduces the chance of passing the infection to the baby at birth.
e) Planning safer delivery strategies
In cases like genital herpes, knowing whether active lesions or viral shedding are present helps the OB team decide whether a cesarean delivery is safer than a vaginal one.
3. STI Testing & Treatment During Pregnancy: What Should I Expect?
Let’s walk through how STI screening is typically done during pregnancy, what treatments look like, and what to expect along the way.
A) When and what to test
At the first prenatal visit
This is a key moment. The standard panel often includes:
- Chlamydia (via nucleic acid amplification test, or NAAT)
- Gonorrhea (NAAT)
- Syphilis (serologic screening)
- HIV and hepatitis B (in many prenatal protocols)
- Some providers may also include or recommend HSV, trichomoniasis, or other tests depending on risk factors.
For most women under 25, the CDC recommends universal screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea early. Women older than 25 may be screened if they are at higher risk (e.g. new/multiple partners, prior STI).
Repeat testing later in pregnancy
If you’re at continuing risk (for example, a new partner or other STI risk factors), retesting during the third trimester may be recommended, especially for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Also, for syphilis, many guidelines recommend a second serologic test late in pregnancy in high-prevalence communities or for people at higher risk.
If someone wasn’t tested earlier, some places even test at delivery if risk is present.
B) What the tests feel like
- Urine sample (first-void urine) is common, especially for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- Vaginal or cervical swabs may be collected via speculum exam for NAATs.
- Blood draw for serologic tests like syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B.
These tests are generally quick and not overly uncomfortable. The benefit of knowing your result far outweighs momentary discomfort.
C) When the test is positive: what happens next?
The doctor will discuss treatment options with you and schedule any follow up appointments if they are needed.
D) What to expect emotionally & practically
- Receiving an STI diagnosis during pregnancy can come with shame, fear, guilt, or worry. But it’s important to remember: STIs are common, and many people don’t even realize they have one.
- You’re not alone. Part of your care should include counseling, education, and emotional support.
- Communication with your partner(s) can be hard, but treating them helps protect your baby and yourself from reinfection.
- Adhering strictly to your antibiotic regimen, attending follow-up appointments, and doing re-testing are vital steps in safeguarding health.
- If you change care providers (e.g., go from Heartline’s referral to an OB), make sure your STI history is transferred and known.
4. How Can Heartline Help with STIs During Pregnancy?
So how can Heartline Pregnancy Center (Warsaw, Indiana) help support you if you have concerns about STIs during your pregnancy?
Free & Confidential Medical Services
- Heartline offers free medical-grade pregnancy testing, and a verification by a nurse (no insurance needed).
- If your test is positive, Heartline can schedule a free ultrasound (beginning ~8 weeks gestation) to check viability and dating.
- For STI concerns: Heartline provides vouchers for free STI testing at MedStat (just across the street). Just call 574-267-5110 or text 574-635-1272 for info or to schedule an appointment. You can also learn more here:
So, if you walk into Heartline with questions like “Could I be pregnant?” or “I think I should get an STI test,” you can receive these services at no cost—and you’ll be connected to further medical care as needed.
Pregnancy & STIs: Key Takeaways
Earlier is better
The sooner you’re screened and (if needed) treated, the better. Catching an STI in the first trimester gives your body time to heal, reduces the chance of complications, and allows your care team to monitor your baby more closely if needed. Even in later pregnancy, it’s never too late to get tested—it can still protect your baby at birth.
You don’t need symptoms to have an STI
Many people assume they’d “just know” if they had an infection—but that’s not usually true. STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis often don’t cause obvious signs, especially in women. That’s why regular testing in pregnancy is recommended even if you feel fine.
Testing is simple and often free
If the idea of expensive labs or long wait times makes you nervous, you should know that many STI tests are quick, painless, and covered by insurance or available free through community programs. At Heartline, for instance, you can receive free STI testing vouchers for use at MedStat (across the street from our center).
Treatment is usually quick and safe during pregnancy
Most common STIs can be treated safely with medications that won’t harm your baby. In fact, the real risk comes from not treating an infection—especially when it could lead to miscarriage, preterm labor, or passing an infection to your newborn.
Partner treatment matters
If you test positive, it’s essential that your partner(s) also get tested and treated. Otherwise, you could be reinfected—even after successful treatment. This is sometimes called the “ping-pong effect,” and it’s surprisingly common. At Heartline, the team can help guide you through how to talk with your partner and where they can go for care.
You’re not alone
It can feel overwhelming to receive an STI diagnosis while pregnant, especially if it was unexpected or comes with emotional weight. You may feel embarrassed, scared, or unsure of what to do next. Please know: you’re not alone in this. STIs are far more common than most people realize, and what matters now is that you’re taking steps to protect yourself and your baby.
At Heartline, we’re here to walk with you—no judgment, just support. Whether you just need someone to talk to, help understanding your test results, or support figuring out what comes next, we’re here for you.
Contact us today to schedule your free appointment (no insurance needed):
📞 Call us at: 574-267-5110
📱 Text us at: 574-635-1272
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