STIs
You can infect the foetus if an STI is not treated. It can be dangerous for the foetus if the STI is not treated. If you know you have an STI, talk to a doctor or a midwife. She/he can help you to take the right steps to protect the foetus.
Almost all STIs can be treated during pregnancy without any danger to the foetus.
Herpes in the vagina in the last 3 months of pregnancy can be dangerous for the foetus. Contact a doctor or a midwife immediately if you believe that you are infected.
If you are pregnant you will be offered to test yourself for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis. If you are younger than 25 you are also offered to test yourself for chlamydia. If you want a test for a specific STI, you should ask your doctor or midwife.
HIV
If you have HIV, you can still have healthy children:
- A pregnant woman with hiv has to take medicines during pregnancy and delivery. Then the risk of the baby getting infected with hiv will be very low.
- The baby is usually delivered naturally. If the doctor thinks this is safest, the baby is delivered by caesarean section.
- The baby needs to take medicines for a period after birth.
- The mother should not breast-feed her child. The breast-milk might contain HIV. There are other ways to bond with your baby.
