When planning for conception, there are many factors that are to be kept in mind for ensuring good health of the baby. Sexually transmitted diseases like Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis are very fatal during pregnancy both for the pregnant woman and the unborn child. Tests for sexually transmitted diseases should be done before planning conception. Read on to know about effects of sexually transmitted diseases on pregnancy.

Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and syphilis are caused by bacterial infections and are perhaps the most common sexually transmitted diseases. If these diseases are found in pregnant women, the unborn baby can get affected even before he is born in this world and cause the termination of the pregnancy as well. It is thus important to check whether you already are suffering from these diseases or are likely to develop in near future.

Why are Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Syphilis Dangerous?

Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis can give rise to serious and fatal health threats in the fetus. The probable problems are like loss of vision, respiratory problems, and infections of the blood, joints and even the eyes. These diseases also affect the well-being of the mother. It is therefore important that the diseases, if present are first treated with antibiotics much prior to the conception. They help to clear the bacterial infection and prepare the body for pregnancy.

Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis can be passed on from the mother to the baby during delivery and result in complications like.

• Birth of a premature baby, in most cases the delivery takes place before completing 37 weeks

• The membranes of the sac that the baby is enclosed within the womb gets ruptured before the commencement of the labour pain

• The pregnancy can get terminated

• The baby can develop an eye infection, conjunctivitis and in some cases it becomes so acute that it might lead to partial or complete loss of vision

• A wide variety of birth defects

• Pneumonia

• Death of the fetus or baby soon after birth

These are the reasons why Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis must be checked. Women with risk factors must all the more make it a point to ensure the good health of the baby. The positive point is that the woman can be effectively treated even if she is diagnosed during her pregnancy term.

Cause of Concern

With Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, it can be a serious concern as they are often found to display no symptoms at all. Often the symptoms are so mild that they are mistaken for urinary or vaginal tract infection. In women, these are the usual symptoms.

1. Yellowish vaginal discharge

2. Feeling of pain during urination and the visits to the toilet is too frequent

3. Vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles

4. Painful rectal bleeding with or without discharge

These diseases must also be tested for the male partner before planning conception. In men, the usual symptoms are as follows.

1. Painful or painless discharge from the penis

2. Burning and painful sensation during urination

3. Painful rectal bleeding with or without discharge

These diseases can in turn enhance the complications like result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) when the bacteria from the vagina reach the uterus, ovary and fallopian tubes. If the woman is untreated after contacting Gonorrhea or Chlamydia, PID is sure to follow which can lead to a series of complications like infertility.

Ectopic pregnancy can also result, which often follows PID. The fallopian tubes get scarred and eventually rupture. This can lead to heavy bleeding and excruciating pain.

These diseases are usually contacted sexually. It is advisable to limit the sexual partners and always use condoms when you are not with your regular partner. It also helps to learn about your partner’s sexual history as often no symptoms are displayed in infected people.

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are tested for the presence of bacteria in urine or cervical swab sample. Syphilis test is done through blood test for the presence of antibodies that the body naturally produces in case of an infection.