Chlamydia Infection during pregnancy

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection which is caused by the bacterium called chlamydia trachomatis. It is an infection that falls under the category of sexually transmitted infection as it is transmitted or contracted through any form of unprotected sexual contact, such as vaginal, oral or anal sexual intercourse. However, apart from being contracted through sexual activity, this infection can also be passed on from an infected mother to her baby during child birth, whereby there is almost a 40% risk of the unborn baby to catch the infection during child birth. Hence, it is important that you take the Chlamydia Test to rule out the possibility of passing on the infection.

However, if you do have the infection, the test results will help you to take the required measures for chlamydia treatment. Being a bacterial infection, chlamydia is generally asymptomatic but some may experience symptoms of the infection. This infection, if contracted by pregnant women and left untreated can cause several complications.Some women may experience a condition called dyspareunia, which is characterised by painful sexual intercourse. Other women may experience a burning or painful sensation while urinating or also experience an increase in the urgency or frequency to urinate. There can also occur abnormal, pale yellow discharge from the vagina after or during intercourse. At times you may experience bleeding during intercourse which may not be related to your periods. Read below to learn about the symptoms and treatment for chlamydia.

One of the most commonly experienced symptoms of the chlamydia infection is abdominal pain. If the chlamydia infection travels to your cervix and cause inflammation, it can also lead to the pelvic inflammatory disease. There are studies which show that nearly 40% of women, who are pregnant and infected with chlamydia, if left untreated, the pelvic inflammatory disease developed during pregnancy. In order to prevent these symptoms from affecting you or your baby, it is vital that you treat the infection timely. There are several methods through which you can ensure effective treatment of this sexually transmitted infection.

You should bear in mind that effective test screening should be taken to avoid the transmission of chlamydia on to your baby. It is not only the mother who should be screened for the infection but also the father. Antibiotic medications such as Doxycycline capsules have proven to be an effective method of treating chlamydia effectively. Sexual abstinence is one method that is recommended by the doctors while you are being treated for the infection. It is also advisable to abstain from sexual activity to prevent your partner from contracting the infection.

If pregnant, and the infection is not treated, the consequences can be more complicated. Some of these complications include ectopic pregnancy, postpartum endometriosis and infertility. However, due to human nature, sexual abstinence may prove difficult for couples. It is therefore safe and easier to resort to treatment methods such as the antibiotic medications. Although these medications are quite effective in treating chlamydia, pregnant women should not take these medications without consultation with a certified doctor.