The Facts

• Although chlamydia is one of the most common sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) in the United States, for some women, noticing signs of chlamydia during pregnancy is their first exposure to this infection. Transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person, chlamydia is a bacterial infection that could cause damage to your reproductive organs, as well as complications and possible infection for your unborn baby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year approximately 100,000 pregnant women in the United States get infected with this STD.
  
  

Signs

• Unfortunately, many women who contract chlamydia during pregnancy are asymptomatic and never show signs of this sexually-transmitted infection. In fact, according to BabyCenter.Com, as many as 75 percent of women infected with chlamydia do not show symptoms. Some signs of chlamydia that you might exhibit during pregnancy include pain or burning discomfort when urinating, cervical inflammation and possibly spotting or additional vaginal discharge. If you do develop signs of chlamydia, they typically will not show up until one to three weeks following the time you were exposed.
  
  

Risk Factors

• Certain risk factors increase your likelihood of developing signs of chlamydia during pregnancy. If you are under the age of 25 years, have multiple sex partners or have a partner who has had multiple sex partners, you are more likely to develop a chlamydia infection and the signs that accompany it. In order to minimize your chances of contracting chlamydia during pregnancy, the March of Dimes suggests that you either avoid having sex during pregnancy, use a latex condom or have sex with a partner who has only has sexual relations with you and has tested negative for chlamydia.
  
  

Complications

• A variety of complications that could affect your baby may arise as a result of signs of chlamydia during pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, untreated Chlamydia increases your chances of giving birth prematurely. A premature baby is more likely to develop other more serious developmental issues, including brain problems, breathing problems, digestive problems and learning problems. Your baby could get infected during delivery as well, which can cause him to develop lung infections, breathing problems and eye infections, such as conjunctivitis and pinkeye.
  
  

Testing and Treatment

• If you develop signs of chlamydia during pregnancy then your obstetrician or midwife will use a lab test to check for this sexually-transmitted infection. Your doctor may use a urine sample or take a sample from your cervix using a swab. If your test comes back with positive results, your doctor will typically prescribe a round of antibiotics that should cure your chlamydia infection. According to BabyCenter.Com, you should ensure that your partner receives treatment as well, in order to reduce your chances of getting a repeated infection during pregnancy.