Pregnancy comes with a long list of checkups, lab tests, and important conversations. What might surprise you is that some of those tests look for STDs (also known as sexually transmitted infections or STIs). This STD Awareness Month, we’re explaining why testing matters so much and what it involves.
The rates of STDs among women of childbearing age have increased in the United States in recent years, presenting a significant risk to fetal health. At Desert Hills Care Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, we know that prenatal STD screenings can be uncomfortable to think about, but they play a vital role in protecting you and your baby.
Many STDs don’t cause obvious symptoms right away, which means you can feel completely fine and still have an infection. That’s why screening matters so much during pregnancy and why Dr. Herald Ballon-Hennings and our team ensure that, if you do have an STD, we catch it early. Testing gives us the chance to do this, treat the infection when possible, and lower the risk of complications before delivery.
STD screenings help us find serious infections that can pass from parent to baby during pregnancy or birth, including those that raise the risk of:
The good news is that early testing gives us time to act. Even when an infection needs ongoing management because there isn’t a cure, knowing about it early helps us build the safest plan for your pregnancy and delivery.
Screening also helps protect your long-term health. Some untreated STDs can lead to pelvic pain, fertility problems, or other serious complications. When we identify an issue early, we can guide you toward the right care.
Your prenatal lab work may include screening for several infections, depending on your health history, risk factors, and stage of pregnancy. Common tests often include:
HIV screening helps us identify infection early so treatment can begin as soon as possible. Good management during pregnancy can greatly lower the chance of passing HIV to your baby.
Syphilis can cause serious problems in pregnancy if untreated. In the United States, more than 5% of pregnancies affected by syphilis result in stillbirths, but early screening and treatment make a considerable difference for parent and baby.
Hepatitis B can pass to a baby during birth. If we know you carry hepatitis B, we can help plan newborn care right away to lower that risk.
These two common bacterial infections may not cause symptoms, but they can still affect pregnancy and delivery. They can also lead to complications for a newborn if they remain untreated.
Some patients may need hepatitis C screening based on current recommendations, medical history, or other factors.
In some cases, we may also discuss testing for other infections, such as trichomoniasis, an STD caused by a parasite.
Many STD screenings take place early in pregnancy, often at your first prenatal visit. That first round of testing gives us a starting point and helps us address concerns as soon as possible.
Some patients need repeat testing later in pregnancy. We may recommend that if you have:
Some infections can develop after your first appointment, so one early screen doesn’t always tell the whole story. If we think follow-up testing makes sense, we’ll explain why and talk through the next steps with you.
Most prenatal STD screenings are simple and routine. In many cases, we use a blood or urine sample; sometimes we may collect a vaginal or cervical swab, depending on your symptoms, if any, and the infection for which we’re testing.
These tests usually don’t take long. If you already have prenatal bloodwork scheduled, we can often include STD screening as part of that visit. We’ll let you know what we’re testing for and answer any questions before we begin.
A positive result might feel scary, but it doesn’t mean your pregnancy can’t continue safely. It just means we have important information that helps us care for you and your baby.
Your next steps depend on the infection. Some STDs respond well to antibiotics. Others need monitoring, medication, or a delivery plan that lowers the chance of passing the infection to your baby.
It’s normal to feel nervous when talking about sexual health, but open communication helps us care for you more effectively. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to Desert
Hills Care Center about prenatal STD screening. To schedule a consultation, call our office or use our online form.
