Chlamydia in pregnancy: what to know

Chlamydia is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection that can affect the cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat. It may cause no noticeable symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include unusual vaginal discharge, burning when urinating, bleeding after sex, or bleeding between periods. Untreated infection can move upward into the reproductive organs and may cause pelvic inflammatory disease. During pregnancy, infection can be passed to the baby around delivery, so telling the maternity or primary-care team helps them choose suitable treatment and follow-up.

Arrange a confidential STI screening appointment if you have a positive partner diagnosis, a new exposure, or symptoms. Testing may use a urine sample or a swab from the affected area. Take the prescribed antibiotic exactly as directed; pregnancy changes which medicines are appropriate, so do not self-treat with leftover tablets. Your clinician may advise testing again after treatment. Avoid sexual contact until the clinician says it is safe, and make sure current partners are assessed and treated when needed so infection is not passed back and forth.

Contact your maternity or medical team promptly for lower abdominal pain, fever, pain during sex, worsening discharge, or bleeding in pregnancy. Seek urgent help for severe pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, trouble breathing, or feeling suddenly very unwell. These warning signs need assessment because they can have causes beyond chlamydia.

Ask which test is planned, which treatment is suitable at your stage of pregnancy, whether your partner needs assessment, and when follow-up testing should happen. Also ask what symptoms should prompt contact with the maternity team.