Infections passed between a pregnant woman and her partner during sex can cause serious and potentially life‑threatening health issues for you and your baby during pregnancy and at birth. It’s important that you tell your doctor if you suspect you or your partner may have a sexually transmitted disease.
- Ask your doctor to test you for syphilis, HIV, and other infections that can be passed on to your baby.
- Get treatment. If tests show you have an infection, get treatment right away. Syphilis, for example, can cause a baby to be born with an enlarged spleen, rashes, or, in the worst cases, stillbirth or death shortly after birth. These complications are preventable with treatment.
- Make sure your partner gets tested and treated, too.
- Don’t be embarrassed. Doctors want to know if you think you might be infected so that they can provide quick treatment and keep you and your baby safe.
