It's well known that sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy can sometimes be linked to miscarriage, but the risk is different for each type of infection. What's the risk of gonorrhea?
There's conflicting information out there about gonorrhea during pregnancy being linked to miscarriage. Many sources claim that an untreated infection can be linked to risk of miscarriage, and at least one study has found that having untreated gonorrhea can be linked to increased risk of a preterm birth. Having an untreated infection while giving birth can cause life threatening complications for the baby, and untreated gonorrhea before pregnancy can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy.
All in all, gonorrhea and pregnancy aren't a good combination, and the disease is easily treated, so it makes sense to seek advice from a physician if you have symptoms of gonorrhea or if you feel you may be at risk. Note that a significant number of women do not experience any symptoms when they have a gonorrhea infection.
Sources
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "Gonorrhea Chlamydia and Syphilis." ACOG Education Pamphlet AP071 Jul 2000. Accessed 9 Oct 2008.
Centers for Disease Control, "STD Facts - Gonorrhea." 28 Feb 2008. Accessed 9 Oct 2008.
Donders, G.G., J. Desmyter, D.H. De Wet, and F. A. Van Assche, "The association of gonorrhoea and syphilis with premature birth and low birthweight." Genitourinary Medicine Apr 1993. Accessed 9 Oct 2008.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Gonorrhea." Womenshealth.gov May 2005. Accessed 9 Oct 2008.
