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How Is Chlamydia Tested And Treated During Pregnancy

ByDr. Sannia Dadasaheb Sanadi
Updated: 27 Sept 2026, 5:00 pm
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Astha Gupta, Director – Reproductive Medicine & IVF, Cloudnine Hospital

If your obstetrician has detected the presence of chlamydia during routine pregnancy testing, your first follow-up question might be: what's going to happen next? The process of chlamydia testing and subsequent treatment is simpler than many women think it to be. Below, we describe the entire testing process, treatment process, and steps that need to be taken by the woman and her partner for proper treatment.

Pregatips
Once the presence of a chlamydia infection is detected, it becomes much more important to take proper care of the next steps rather than worry about the diagnosis itself. The testing process is simple, treatment is effective, and taking both of them will help you and your baby stay healthy.
In this article:
To find out all details concerning the chlamydia testing and treatment process, we interviewed Dr Astha Gupta, Senior IVF Consultant and Infertility Expert, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Delhi IVF, New Delhi.


Detection of Chlamydia Infection During Pregnancy

Dr Gupta highlights that Chlamydia is a very common type of bacterial infection. Detection and treatment of this infection during pregnancy is essential because of possible health problems for both the pregnant woman and her baby. Women may not experience any symptoms at all, while other symptoms include the following:

  • Discharge
  • Burning sensation during urination
  • Pelvic pain
  • Vaginal bleeding
The testing process itself, as explained by Dr Gupta, is easy and usually done together with other tests in pregnancy. Therefore, many women are able to get the diagnosis without experiencing any symptoms previously.

What Are the Complications in Case of Untreated Infection?

If chlamydia is not treated, Dr Gupta points out the possibility of getting a pelvic infection and related problems during pregnancy.

In the case of your baby, untreated chlamydia infection may cause the following risks:

  • Preterm birth
  • Infection obtained from the mother during delivery because of contact with the bacteria while passing through the birth canal
The newborn baby may suffer from eye infection or lung infection after birth, which is why treatment before delivery is so crucial.

What Treatment Actually Involves

However, as Dr Gupta notes, chlamydia is treated safely during pregnancy with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.

Here are some guidelines to ensure your treatment is effective:

  • Take the full course of the medicine as prescribed, despite feeling better in the middle of the course of treatment
  • Test and treat your partner to avoid a situation where the infection is transmitted back to you from your partner who was not treated
  • Avoid any sort of intimacy until you both complete the treatment
  • Have a follow-up test if recommended by your doctor, to make sure that the infection is gone
Omitting any of these measures, especially testing and treating your partner, is the most frequent cause of the reoccurrence of the infection.

Why Should Your Partner Be Treated as Well?

It is natural to think that if you take your antibiotics, you will be cured. However, according to Dr Gupta, this is not the case if your partner is left untreated. Having just one partner treated and continuing intimacy increases the chances of reinfection, which means repeating the whole process all over again. Discussing the problem with your partner and urging them to go for testing is essential.

When to Contact Your Doctor

You should contact your doctor if:

  • You experience symptoms such as discharge, burning when urinating, or pain in the pelvis
  • You have completed the entire course of antibiotics, yet the symptoms are still present
  • Your partner has not taken the test or the treatment yet
  • You are not certain if you need further testing in your specific case
Your doctor will be able to determine if you were successfully treated and provide instructions for further treatment if required before giving birth.

Treatment of chlamydia in pregnant women is not a complex task if you understand the procedure. Getting the treatment course finished and ensuring that your partner has undergone the treatment is what guarantees the complete elimination of the infection before delivery.

Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.

FAQs on How Is Chlamydia Tested And Treated During Pregnancy?

  1. Is testing for chlamydia during pregnancy painful or difficult?
    No, this is a simple procedure that is included in the list of tests conducted during pregnancy.
  2. Can I take antibiotics for chlamydia during pregnancy?
    Yes, your doctor will prescribe certain antibiotics which are believed to be safe during pregnancy. Always consult your doctor before taking any medications.
  3. How will I know that the treatment worked?
    Your doctor will prescribe you another test after the completion of the antibiotic treatment.
How we reviewed this article
Our team continuously monitors the health and wellness space to create relevant content for you. Every article is reviewed by medical experts to ensure accuracy.

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