Many of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the country, including chlamydia and gonorrhoea, are known as "silent" infections as they rarely present any symptoms and can be carried by their host for many years.
This means that people who become pregnant might be unaware that they have an STI, or even unaware that they can pass that infection onto their unborn child.
Thankfully many of these STIs, if caught and treated, will pose no impediment to giving birth to a happy and healthy child. However, as these common infections can go unnoticed, it can be important to have a check-up if you are thinking of having a child.
