Sexual health

Looking after your sexual health helps you and your baby stay healthy and enjoy your pregnancy. Contact your GP as soon as you find out you’re pregnant; starting your antenatal care early helps you feel supported, reassured, and ready for the months ahead.

You'll be offered a series of appointments with a Midwife, or sometimes a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and birth (known as an Obstetrician). Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll be able to ask them any questions you have – this is encouraged, completely normal and can help ease any worries you might have.

Myth-Busting: Pregnancy, Birth & Sexual Health

Myth

Fact

Having sex during pregnancy will harm the baby.

You can have sex safely during pregnancy unless your doctor or midwife advises otherwise. A penis or sex toy can’t go beyond your vagina or reach the baby.

You can’t get pregnant when breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is not a reliable form of contraception. You can get pregnant as soon as 3 weeks after birth, even if your periods haven’t returned.

STIs always have symptoms

Many STIs have no symptoms at all. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.

STI tests aren’t safe in pregnancy

It’s completely safe to test for STIs during pregnancy, including with a vaginal swab, it won’t harm your baby.

If you have an STI in pregnancy, your baby will definitely get it.

With early testing and the right care, most people with an STI have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.

If you think you or your partner could have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it’s important to get tested. Testing is a normal part of keeping you and your baby healthy.

Some STIs can affect your baby's health during pregnancy and after birth, but with the right care and treatment most people go on to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child. Even for infections that can't be fully cured, such as herpes or HIV, safe and effective steps can greatly reduce the chances of passing the infection to your child.

As STIs can often have no symptoms, it’s worth getting tested even if you feel well or have been with the same partner for a long time. Encourage your partner to get tested too; it’s a team effort!

It's safe to use a vaginal swab to test for STIs during pregnancy. This will not harm your baby. Services and further information can be found in the section at the bottom of this page.

Catching an STI During Pregnancy

It’s safe to have sex during pregnancy unless your doctor or midwife advises otherwise. A penis or sex toy can't reach beyond your vagina or harm the baby. Using condoms during sex, even while pregnant, helps protect you and your baby from STIs.

STI symptoms can vary and some may appear quickly, while others take longer. Signs can include:

·         unusual discharge from your vagina, penis or bottom (anus)

·         pain when peeing

·         lumps, rashes, sores or skin growths around your genitals or bottom

·         unusual vaginal bleeding

·         itching in the genital or anal area

·         blisters or warts around your genitals or anus, or (rarely) in your mouth or throat

If you notice any of these changes during pregnancy, speak to your midwife straight away or contact your local Sexual & Reproductive Health Hub. Early testing and treatment can help you stay healthy and reduce the risk to your baby during pregnancy, birth & beyond.

For more information on STIs visit: Welcome to Sexual Health Wales | Advice & Testing STIs Infections

 

Testing for STIs

There are two ways you can access testing for STIs. The quickest and most convenient way to test is to access the Test & Post service via: Wales STI Testing Kit - Sexual Health Wales

This service provides a discreet way for you to test for a variety of STIs including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The service is free and involves a test kit being sent directly to your chosen address for you to complete in the comfort of your own home. Following testing, return your kit to the laboratory using the pre-paid envelope and await your results. Your results will always be provided through Sexual Health Wales. However, if you do not hear within 3 weeks, contact phw.sexualhealth@wales.nhs.uk

You can also receive an STI test at your local sexual health clinic. To make an appointment at your nearest clinic, call 01495 765065 (lines open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:00pm). To find out more about local sexual health services visit: Sexual and Reproductive Health - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Wales STI Testing Kit | Test and Post

You can order free and discreet postal test kits

Sexual and Reproductive Health - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Details of the Sexual & Reproductive Health Clinics across Gwent

01495 765065 (Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:00pm)

Contact details for the ABUHB Sexual & Reproductive Health – this phoneline can be used to discuss contraception and sexual health issues and to make an appointment at an appropriate clinic

Home | Contraception Choices

Find out more about the contraception options available to you, including finding the right option

NHS 111 Wales - Pregnancy Guide

Sex & Contraception guide

NHS 111 Wales - Search Results

Find a local Pharmacy near you. Use the ‘sort & filter’ tool and select ‘provides Emergency Contraception (EC)’

NHS 111 Wales – Health A-Z : Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Information on STIs, symptoms and treatment options

Improving the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of expectant mothers, infants, children and young people throughout Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Area.

(N.B: The Family and Therapies team at ABUHB is NOT responsible for the content on the webpage links that we refer to in our resource sections and linked information to external sites. All information was accurate and appropriate at the time the webpage was created.)

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