Chlamydia during pregnancy

Surviving a pregnancy can be hard enough, but a sexually transmitted infection or the suspicion that you might have one can add to the stress. If you think you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection during pregnancy, it is important to tell your doctor and get tested immediately. If you think you have it, you probably have a lot of questions about how the infection might affect your baby and your prenatal care.

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection and is the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection. It is often asymptomatic, making it difficult to diagnose without testing. All pregnant women should be screened at their first antenatal visit and additionally if they develop symptoms or have risk factors.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia?

In most cases, there are no symptoms. Some women may experience vaginal discharge and/or pain in the pelvis or abdomen.

Men usually experience pain when urinating and may have discharge from the penis. If you are pregnant and notice that your partner has these symptoms, both of you should be tested for sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia.

Is there a risk of contracting chlamydia during pregnancy?

Any sexually active person (outside of a monogamous relationship where you have no previous sexual partners) is at risk of contracting chlamydia through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

You are at highest risk of contracting chlamydia during pregnancy if you are sexually active and:

Have multiple sexual partners,
Have sex without a condom,
Have had a previous or current sexually transmitted infection, and/or
Have a partner with a sexually transmitted infection.

How will chlamydia affect my pregnancy?

The greatest risk to the fetus occurs if the infection is left untreated. All pregnant women are tested at their first prenatal appointment.

If you are at increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy (i.e. if you have a new sexual partner or multiple partners), additional testing should be done in the third trimester so that treatment can begin before delivery.

If you have an active or untreated chlamydial infection at the time of delivery, the baby is at risk of contracting the infection, which will affect the baby in one of two ways: chlamydial conjunctivitis (18–44% of cases) or chlamydial pneumonia (3–16% of cases).

Active chlamydial infection during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth.

Can my child get chlamydia from me?

Yes, chlamydia can be passed from mother to child during childbirth (perinatal transmission).

The best way to avoid passing chlamydia to your baby during labor is to clear the infection before delivery. This is why first and third trimester screenings are so important, as well as telling your doctor about any new symptoms.

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose chlamydia with a lab test to evaluate discharge from an infected area, which may include the cervix, urethra, anus, or throat. The lab may also use a urine sample for testing.

How is chlamydia treated during pregnancy?

Chlamydia can be treated and cured with antibiotics taken by mouth. This may be a single dose or a 7-day treatment. The antibiotics used are generally safe during pregnancy.

If you continue to see symptoms after a few days of antibiotic treatment, you should return to your doctor for a re-evaluation. Pregnant women being treated for chlamydial infection should be retested 3 weeks and 3 months after treatment, as reinfection is quite common.

How to avoid chlamydia infection during pregnancy?

There are only two 100% effective ways to prevent chlamydia. First, refrain from sexual contact of any kind. Second, you are in a long-term monogamous relationship, such as a marriage in which you both test negative for sexually transmitted infections.