Let’s Talk About STIs and Pregnancy

I am Dr. Leandro Mena, and I am here to talk all things STIs.

It’s always good to talk to your healthcare provider, let them know that you’re planning to become pregnant, that should prompt your healthcare provider to do a number of tests. It is important to screen for STIs during pregnancy because STIs can really affect the outcome of the pregnancy.

They will test you for gonorrhea and chlamydia and syphilis. Once you become pregnant, they should repeat those tests again. And, very often, especially syphilis testing, will be repeated again in the third trimester and at delivery, depending if you may live in an area where there is a high incidence of syphilis and congenital syphilis.

This video is a joint production of KFF’s GREATER THAN and CDC’s LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER. This information is shared for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at the time of filming.

Always consult a healthcare provider for any personal health decisions. The marks “CDC” and “Let’s Stop HIV Together” are owned by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services and are used with permission. Use of these logos is not an endorsement by HHS or CDC of any particular product, service, or enterprise.