• Chlamydia
• STDs
• Sexual Health

What You Need to Know About Chlamydia and Pregnancy

Medically reviewed and edited by Jarrod Nero, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

How Do You Get Chlamydia When You’re Pregnant?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection that is transmitted through genital fluids — usually during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Although it’s not typically a life-threatening condition, chlamydia can cause complications for expectant mothers and babies if left untreated.

Pregnant women can contract chlamydia the same way as non-pregnant women — through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.

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Who is Most at Risk of Developing Chlamydia During Pregnancy?

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting chlamydia, including pregnant women. You may be at a higher risk if you:

• Have multiple sex partners

• Have unprotected sex

• Have a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• Have a partner with an active STI

• Neglect to take proper prenatal care

• Abuse substances like drugs and alcohol

Women under the age of 30 may also be at an increased risk of contracting chlamydia because the condition tends to be most prevalent among young adults.

What are the Symptoms of Chlamydial Infections?

Chlamydia often has no symptoms, which means that you may have an active infection without knowing about it.

If symptoms do develop, they usually show up within two weeks and may include:

• Painful urination

• Unusual or foul-smelling vaginal discharge

• Abnormal genital bleeding

• Pain during sex

• Chronic pelvic pain

It’s important to get tested for chlamydia and other STIs early on in your pregnancy to ensure that you don’t have any infections.

You should also get tested right away if you suspect you’ve been exposed to chlamydia.

Is it Dangerous to Have Chlamydia While Pregnant?

If pregnant women get chlamydia, it can lead to a condition called chorioamnionitis — this is when the amniotic fluid and membranes surrounding the fetus become infected.

Chorioamnionitis can cause pregnancy complications like preterm labor and delivery, and also increases the risk of stillbirth.

Newborn babies may get chlamydia if they come into contact with infected genital fluids during childbirth. This can cause an eye infection called neonatal conjunctivitis.

If left untreated, neonatal conjunctivitis can cause severe medical issues like blindness and pneumonia.

Having chlamydia while pregnant increases the risk of the following complications for the baby:

• Rupturing of the protective membranes

• Low birth weight

• Higher susceptibility to lung infections like pneumonia

Can Chlamydia Be Treated if You’re Pregnant?

Being proactive when treating a chlamydia infection while pregnant is essential for avoiding severe complications.

Chlamydia is usually treated with prescription-strength antibiotics that may not be safe to use if pregnant.

However, there are better options that won’t harm your unborn baby. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for chlamydia during pregnancy are azithromycin and erythromycin.

These options have generally been accepted as safe to use during pregnancy while effectively treating chlamydia.

Research supports the use of some antibiotics to treat chlamydia during pregnancy, but there may still be risks involved.

That’s why it’s important to work closely with your doctor to ensure the safety of your baby and your long-term health.

If you’ve been diagnosed with chlamydia while pregnant, it’s important that your partner is tested for the condition as well.

This can help prevent reinfection and — if your partner receives treatment immediately — it can reduce the risk of further complications for the mother and baby.

How Do You Prevent a Chlamydia Infection During Pregnancy?

There is no way to completely prevent a chlamydia infection during pregnancy unless you choose to abstain from all sexual activities.

The best way to ensure a safe pregnancy is to have proper prenatal care. This often includes screenings for diseases like chlamydia and other STIs.

During your prenatal appointments, you’ll also be able to ask any questions or discuss the concerns you have about your pregnancy.

This may help with the early detection of potentially severe conditions — like chlamydia — and it can ensure that you start treatment promptly.

You should also try to limit your number of sexual partners while pregnant. Similarly, it’s recommended to avoid using substances that can impair your judgment or encourage risky sexual behavior.

When Should I See a Doctor About Chlamydia and Pregnancy?

If you suspect that you may have contracted chlamydia during your pregnancy, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away.

You should also seek professional medical attention if you develop any chlamydia symptoms.

Early detection and treatment of chlamydia are essential for ensuring a safe pregnancy — and the doctors at LifeMD can help.

Reach out to any of our licensed health care providers for a consultation from the comfort of your own home.

Visit LifeMD to make your appointment today.

Jarrod Nero, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Jarrod, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, earned his B.S. in Nursing from William Carey University and an M. S. in Family Health Nursing from the Southern University of Baton Rouge. He lives in New Orleans with his partner and son.

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