Pregnancy offers no protection for you or your baby from sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, the consequences can be a lot more serious and life-threatening if an expecting mother is infected with gonorrhea.

HIV and Syphilis are transmitted to the fetus by crossing the placenta. While gonorrhea isn’t able to do that, the bacteria can cause significant problems in a pregnancy.

Before and after pregnancy, gonorrhea can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This happens in about 10 to 40% of cases, but PID very rarely occurs during pregnancy.

PID can result in permanent damage to the fallopian tubes. The condition can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility as well as an increased risk for future pregnancies.If a woman is infected in the first trimester, she is more likely to have a miscarriage, pre-mature delivery, pre-term labour, pre-mature rupture of the membranes or endometritis. Her risks for an ectopic pregnancy, where the baby grows in the fallopian tube and not in the uterus, increases by 12 to 15%. This condition is very dangerous and possibly fatal.

If the bacteria is present when the baby is born, the disease will be passed to the baby when it moves through the birth canal. The most common form of gonorrhea in infants is conjunctivitis – an infection of the eye. To prevent the baby from being infected, their eyes are treated with medicated eye drops after birth. If left untreated, the child will eventually go blind.

The gonorrhea bacteria will also increase the mother’s risk of contracting other STDs and HIV, and passing these to the child. If the doctor or caregivers are aware of a mother’s gonorrheal infection, they will automatically treat the newborn with systemic antibiotics to clear the infection.

In 1% of cases, gonorrhea enters the bloodstream leading to a disseminated gonococcal infection. This infection causes fever and chills, sores on the skin, infection and pain in joints. Disseminated gonococcal infection can occur in anyone with untreated gonorrhea, but it occurs more often in women than men. The chances of this happening are also higher during pregnancy.

Prompt and effective treatment of gonorrhea is highly recommended to reduce the risks to mother and baby. While 50% of women have a 'silent' infection without any symptoms, some may experience a cloudy or yellow discharge, burning or pain during urination, spotting or pain during intercourse.

To ensure the absence of the bacteria during pregnancy, it is recommended to get tested before a planned pregnancy. During the pregnancy, it’s recommended to get tested at the first prenatal visit and again during the third trimester.

Gonorrhea is completely curable with the use of prescribed medicine. Even if you aren’t displaying symptoms, STD testing is highly recommended during any pregnancy to ensure the health of mother and baby.

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