Sexually transmitted diseases in pregnancy

In summary, there are a number of STDs in our society that present a significant increased risk of morbidity and mortality when encountered by the pregnant woman and her fetus. It behooves us as practitioners to be alert to the possibility of STDs when any increased risk factors are present upon the initial sexual history. Also, we need to remain alert and vigilant throughout the woman's pregnancy to pick up and to elucidate any factors that might suggest the presence of an STD. In dealing with the pregnant woman during the intrapartal period, we need to be constantly aware of any factors that might contribute to an increased incidence of infection during delivery and postpartum. We cannot be too cautious in scrupulously ruling out any possible perinatal STDs that might adversely influence the neonate. Sexually transmitted diseases are not new to us; however, they present as an ever changing array of entities with ever changing protocols of treatment. The best we can do is to remain attentive and to question minute changes that might indicate a pathologic condition in the pregnant woman or her neonate.