Dangers of Gonorrhea in Pregnancy and Newborns

Sexually transmitted gonorrhea can affect pregnancy and newborns. But not to worry, because gonorrhea can be treated. Gonorrhea is an infectious disease that is most often transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact with an infected person. This condition is caused by a bacterial infection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. N. gonorrhoeae bacteria can live and develop in the warm and moist reproductive tract, such as the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes (oviducts) in women. These bacteria can also develop in the urethra (the channel that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) in women and men, mouth, throat, and anus.

Dangers of Gonorrhea in Pregnancy

A pregnant mother may not know if she has been infected with gonorrhea. This is because the symptoms of gonorrhea in most pregnant women are not specific. Even if there are, the symptoms can be similar to complaints that can occur in a normal pregnancy, such as vaginal discharge, bleeding, or blood spots appearing in the vagina. If gonorrhea in pregnant women is not treated immediately, various pregnancy complications will arise. For example, the possibility of miscarriage, premature labor, premature rupture of amniotic fluid, infection of the inner lining of the uterus (endometritis), and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). In addition, gonorrhea infection also makes pregnant women more vulnerable to HIV and some other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and increases the risk of uterine infection after giving birth.

Dangers of Gonorrhea in Newborns

Women who are pregnant and suffering from gonorrhea can transmit the infection to their baby during labor. This happens when the baby comes in contact with the mother's genital fluid. Symptoms of gonorrhea in an infected baby usually appear 2-5 days after delivery. Infants infected with gonorrhea can experience conditions such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), severe infections (sepsis), arthritis (arthritis), skin infections, infections of the fluid and tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). These conditions can cause disability or blindness in infants.

Treatment of Gonorrhea

Pregnant women who are infected with gonorrhea or other sexually transmitted diseases during pregnancy should have a test. This test is performed during the first pregnancy check-up visit and is repeated during the last trimester of pregnancy. Examination needs to be done both for pregnant women and their partners. Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics that are safe for consumption during pregnancy. Treatment must be given to pregnant women and their partners. In addition, husband and wife who are undergoing treatment are not allowed to have sexual relations until treatment is completely completed and declared cured. Babies born to mothers with gonorrhea need to be treated immediately after birth to prevent infection. If an eye infection occurs, the baby can be treated with antibiotics. If you are pregnant, do not hesitate or be ashamed to consult a doctor about gonorrhea that you might suffer, in order to get the necessary examinations and treatment. Treating gonorrhea as soon as possible will reduce health complications in infants.