Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
It is suggested that yeast infection during pregnancy is more prevalent then at any other time in a woman’s life. In fact women in their second trimester are more likely to develop a yeast infection then at any other time in their life.
Why is that the case? The human body naturally has yeast known as Candida located in mucus membranes, the intestine and the vagina. Normally the body produces enough bacteria to keep this naturally occurring yeast at an acceptable level. But, the elevated level of estrogen during pregnancy causes the vagina to produce more glycogen which makes it easier for yeast to grow. Eventually the yeast become too numerous for the bacteria to control, overgrowth occurs resulting in a yeast infection.
The good news is that yeast infections during pregnancy have no lasting negative effects. The bad news, they are very uncomfortable and the medical treatment available for a yeast infection during pregnancy is limited. If it goes untreated through delivery it is possible to pass this yeast infection on to the new born child in the form of thrush.
So how do you know if you have a yeast infection? What can you do to treat a yeast infection during pregnancy? What can you do to try and prevent a yeast infection from reoccurring?
The symptoms of yeast infection are pretty basic. They generally consist of at least one of the following:
♦An unusual white discharge
♦Redness, itching or irritation of the vagina
♦Burning during urination
♦Painful sex
If you experience any of these symptoms a trip to the doctor would be the first recommended action. Even though there are many over the counter solutions available for yeast infections, pregnancy will limit which are available to safely use. Your doctor will most likely run a simple test to determine if the symptoms are a sign of yeast infect and not some other issue, then can recommend a safe treatment.
♦Here are a few common suggestions that can help to keep yeast infections from reoccurring:
♦Wear loose, cotton, breathable clothing, and cotton underwear.
♦After regular, thorough washing, use your blow dryer on a low, cool setting to help dry your genital area.
♦Always wipe from front to back after using the restroom.
♦Shower immediately after you swim. Change out of swimsuit, workout clothes or other damp clothes as soon as possible.
♦Don’t douche
♦Don’t use feminine hygiene sprays or sanitary pads that contain deodorant,
♦No matter how much you want to, refrain from using bubble bath, colored or perfumed toilet paper
♦Limit sugar intake, as sugar promotes the growth of yeast
♦Get plenty of rest to make it easier for your body to fight infections
♦Some suggest including yogurt with “lactobacillus acidophilus” in your diet
Women who develop a yeast infection during pregnancy can also use holistic methods for prevention, treatment and to eliminate their yeast infections symptoms. These methods are all natural and address the fundamental issues involved in curing yeast infection. Rather then treating the symptoms alone, they use a combination of diet and lifestyle changes to safely alleviate symptoms and prevent constant flare ups. As with all changes in diet or lifestyle, especially during pregnancy, always discuss your plans with a qualified medical doctor.