STD Risks During Pregnancy

Yes, you can get an STD during pregnancy—and some infections can seriously affect both you and your baby. That’s why routine STD screening is a critical part of prenatal care. Whether you’re newly pregnant or planning a family, knowing your status is one of the best steps you can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

At Miami Beach Urgent Care, we provide fast, confidential STD testing for pregnant patients and anyone trying to conceive—no judgment, just care.

How STDs Affect Pregnancy

STDs don’t just affect your health—they can also impact your developing baby. Some infections can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding, and may lead to:

Premature birth
Low birth weight
Stillbirth
Eye or lung infections in newborns
Neurological problems
Long-term developmental delays

Even if you feel completely fine, many STDs—including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HIV, and HPV—can be present without symptoms.

Common STDs to Watch For During Pregnancy

1. Chlamydia & Gonorrhea

These bacterial infections can lead to preterm labor, miscarriage, or serious eye and lung infections in your newborn if left untreated. They’re easily cured with antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy.

2. Syphilis

Syphilis is especially dangerous during pregnancy. If untreated, it can cause stillbirth, neonatal death, or severe birth defects. The good news: it’s curable with early antibiotic treatment.

3. Genital Herpes

If you have an active herpes outbreak during delivery, your baby could be exposed to the virus, leading to life-threatening infections. A doctor may recommend antiviral medication or a C-section to reduce risk.

4. HIV

If HIV is diagnosed early and managed with antiretroviral treatment, the risk of transmitting it to your baby drops to less than 1%. Without treatment, the transmission rate can be much higher.

5. HPV

Most HPV strains don’t directly harm pregnancy, but certain types can lead to genital warts or complications during delivery. Rarely, newborns can develop recurrent respiratory papillomatosis if exposed during birth.

When Should Pregnant People Be Tested?

According to the CDC, STD screening should be part of your first prenatal visit, and again during the third trimester if you are at higher risk.

You should get tested for:

HIV
Syphilis
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis B & C

If you’re already pregnant and haven’t been tested, it’s not too late. At Miami Beach Urgent Care, we offer quick, confidential testing without long wait times.

What If I Test Positive?

If your test comes back positive:

Don’t panic. Many STDs are curable or manageable with pregnancy-safe medications.
Start treatment immediately. Early care lowers the risk of passing infections to your baby.
Make sure your partner gets tested too. Reinfection is common if both partners aren’t treated.

Our providers will create a safe treatment plan tailored to your pregnancy needs and timeline.