Complications For The Baby
When someone with a yeast infection gives birth, it is possible for them to pass the Candida fungus along to their baby during delivery. This typically happens in the form of oral thrush, consisting of thick, white patches in their mouth. Fortunately, oral thrush can be easily treated with antifungal medication and doesn’t cause any permanent harm to the baby.
At this point, there is preliminary data that suggests a yeast infection during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of complications, like:
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Congenital cutaneous candidiasis
Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
3 min read By Karen McEwen, Registered Midwife
What is thrush?
Pregnancy hormones, a course of antibiotics and diabetes can all be a trigger for women to develop a bout of vaginal thrush, as these can all disturb the bodys pH balance. Once you have developed thrush, it can disappear naturally or there are treatments available which target the yeast growth and ease the symptoms.
Developing thrush during pregnancy will not harm your unborn baby. However, if you have thrush during the birth, it can be passed to your baby. A paediatrician will advise on how to treat your baby if this happens.
What are the symptoms of vaginal thrush?
How can I ease and help to prevent thrush?
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Treatments for thrush and recurrent thrush
Yeasts thrive on sugary foods, processed foods and refined carbohydrates and will also overgrow when good bacteria are killed, for example, by antibiotics. Research into this complex subject will allow you to become informed and able to make the choices that are right for you and your family.
Summary
Developing thrush during pregnancy can be extremely irritating, but there are effective self-help remedies available to help you take control of this itchy situation.
Does A Yeast Infection Cause Infertility
Women trying to conceive with a yeast infection are likely to wonder whether or not they can get pregnant with a yeast infection. There is no need to panic as you can conceive even if you have a yeast infection because there is no conclusive evidence that indicates yeast infections cause infertility in women. However, the symptoms associated with yeast infections, which include soreness, swelling, irritation, and burning sensations can make sex uncomfortable and painful. So, a woman suffering from a yeast infection may not be inclined to engage in intercourse. Therefore, a yeast infection does not directly impact fertility, but it can certainly contribute to the problems of becoming pregnant by interfering with the persons sex life. Also, recurrent yeast infections can create a hostile environment for the sperm, making conception difficult.
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How Is Candidiasis Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will use a cotton swab to take a sample of the vaginal discharge. The sample will be checked under a microscope for signs of the yeasts that cause infections.
In certain cases, your doctor may want to culture or grow in a lab a sample of your vaginal discharge. Cultures help them rule out other types of yeast, such as C. glabrata and C. tropicalis.
Yeast Infection During Early Pregnancy
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kitchensk over a year ago
Guest over a year ago
Hey Kichensk, you sound pregnant to me. I, too experienced constipation among many of the other symptoms you described. These symptoms hit me 3 weeks after I got pregnant of course I didnt know it then. If you havent already seen an ob/gyn, you should get checked out.By the way, according my calendar, I got pregnant at a time when I wasnt even ovulating. I must have screwed up somewhere, because Ive been charting my cycle for years.If youre not pregnant, I cant imagine what is ailing you. Whatever the outcome, I hope you are happy.
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How To Prevent Yeast Infections
Consistently practicing good genital hygiene is the key to preventing vaginal yeast infections. Here are some ways to avoid yeast infection pregnancy symptoms:
- Avoid wearing tight bottoms and undergarments made of synthetic materials, especially overnight.
- Wear loose, cotton underwear to keep things dry and airy in the vaginal area
- Change out of workout garments, sweaty clothing, and wet swimsuits immediately.
- Avoid scented soaps and body washes, especially in the vaginal area
- Refrain from using scented toilet paper and scented sanitary napkins and tampons
- Always wipe from front to back
- Avoid added sugars in your diet
- Eat probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt
- Maintain a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole-grains
These methods of yeast infection pregnancy symptoms are avoidable when you take the proper precautions. But remember, there is usually no cause for concern because yeast infections during pregnancy are common and treatable overall.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection
Its normal to experience an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy. In fact, the thin, milky, mild-smelling discharge you may notice when youre pregnant is so common it has a name: leukorrhea.
The discharge you notice when you have a yeast infection is different, however. If you have a yeast infection, you may experience:
- White, lumpy, odorless discharge
Yeast infections can look and feel like other conditions, including a variety of sexually transmitted diseases or bacterial vaginosis, so its important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms even if you have had a yeast infection in the past and believe you may have developed one again.
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Other Infections During Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes many changes in the body, making people more susceptible to complications from many infections.
For example, hormone-related skin changes during pregnancy can cause conditions such as eczema or severely dry skin. If the skin cracks open and bleeds, a serious skin infection, such as cellulitis, can develop. A rare skin disorder called Sweetâs syndrome is also more common during pregnancy than at other times.
Some other infections that may be more serious during pregnancy
The increased risk of these infections during pregnancy is not well understood but may be due to hormone and other changes that alter the number of blood cells in the body. For example, late in pregnancy, T cells that help fight infection .
Pregnancy also causes increased blood circulation and demands on the heart. These demands can also worsen complications. For example, if a pregnant person develops pneumonia from the flu, they may have more difficulty breathing because of the increased demands the fetus places on the heart and lungs.
Some medications that can effectively treat common infections may be less safe during pregnancy. So it is essential that pregnant people who have an infection talk to their doctor or midwife to weigh up the benefits and risks of various treatment options.
Numerous infections can affect the developing baby. However, it is difficult for doctors to tell whether and to what extent a fetus will be affected.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Yeast Infections
The symptoms of a yeast infection may include one or more of the following:
- Discharge that is usually white/tan in color, similar to cottage cheese and may smell like yeast/bread
- Other discharge may be greenish or yellowish, also similar to cottage cheese and may smell like yeast/bread
- An increase in discharge
- Burning sensation during urination or intercourse
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When To Call Your Doctor
If you are experiencing a vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy and any of the following symptoms occur, we recommend advising your doctor for a more comprehensive treatment plan.
- If you are experiencing pain in the lower abdomen coupled with vaginal discharge and fever, this may be a sign of PID, and treatment will be necessary.
- If you are pregnant and begin to experience signs and symptoms of a UTI, or urinary tract infection, or other vaginal infection
- Unusual vaginal itching
- Unusual vaginal discharge, especially if a foul odor accompanies it
- Pain occurring with urination or penetration
- Symptoms persist after initial treatment and medication
- If symptoms recur within a couple of months from the first infection
How Are Recurring Yeast Infections Treated
Because of the shift in hormones during pregnancy, you may be more susceptible to recurring yeast infections. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis is when four or more yeast infections occur in a year. If you are experiencing recurrent candidiasis, we recommend consulting your physician to rule out any health conditions.
The pregnancy itself may simply be the root of infection, and after delivery, they should cease. Oral azole drugs effectively reduce recurrent infections, but this option is only available after delivery, as oral antifungals are not safe or advised methods of treatment while pregnant.
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Causes Of A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body produces more glycogen due to the rising levels of estrogen. Higher levels of glycogen create a good environment for the fungus to multiply abnormally, which leads to a yeast infection. Other factors that may encourage a yeast infection include:
- An impaired immune system
- Poor hygiene practices
What Can I Do If I Get A Yeast Infection While Trying To Get Pregnant
If you get a yeast infection while youre trying to conceive, you can rest easy. This very common condition is simple to treat when symptoms are mild to moderate with over-the-counter vaginal antifungal medications or the oral prescription drug Diflucan . Most medications work quickly too, in three to seven days.
Severe symptoms, however, may require a different approach with long-course vaginal therapy, like an antifungal that you take daily for up to two weeks and then continue weekly for several months. There’s no danger in having sex while you’re taking antifungal medications, but intercourse may further irritate the soreness and irritation you feel and delay healing.
If your symptoms don’t go away after you finish taking the medication, see your provider, who can test for other infections with similar symptoms. Its best to rule out and treat any other illnesses so you can clear the way for lots of healthy intercourse and maybe even a baby on the way.
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Uterine Infections During Pregnancy
An infection in the uterus can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. The infection may affect the placenta, harm the developing baby, cause premature labor, or lead to birth abnormalities.
Uterine infections can also make labor more dangerous and difficult. Some individuals experience organ failure and other life-threatening complications.
Treatment includes antibiotics and may require hospitalization. If a fever develops during labor, a doctor or midwife will monitor the fetus. If the symptoms are severe, the doctor may recommend a cesarean delivery.
Symptoms In Moms And Babies
Though caused by the same fungal overgrowth, the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection vary depending on the location of the infection. Vaginal yeast infection symptoms in moms may include:
- Discharge that is white or creamy, including a cottage cheese-like appearance
Whereas yeast infection symptoms in babies may appear as:
- White patches in their mouth that do not wipe off
- Bright red diaper rash that doesnât go away
If you have never had a yeast infection before, you should have your doctor or midwife look at a sample of your vaginal secretions or discharge under a microscope to ensure you receive a proper diagnosis. You shouldnât assume it is a yeast infection and attempt to treat it without consulting your provider.
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Treatment Of A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
Outside of pregnancy, you’d usually be prescribed a single-dose oral medication called fluconazole. It clears up the infection within a few days. However, this type of medication has not been proven safe to take during pregnancy and lactation because it may affect your baby.
As a result, your doctor will recommend vaginal creams and suppositories. These antifungal medications will fight off the overgrown yeast and restore your vaginal balance without causing any harm to your baby. Nevertheless, not all antifungal vaginal creams are safe to use during pregnancy. Ask your doctor for guidance on which one works best for you.
Getting rid of a yeast infection during pregnancy may take 1014 days. The severe symptoms might become less intense within the first few days of treatment. After complete recovery from the infection, you can use starch-free drying powder or nystatin powder to avoid getting infected again.
- Feminine hygiene sprays or scented laundry detergents
- Bubble baths, or sitting in a hot tub
- Wearing damp clothes shower and change immediately after swimming or working out
- Colored or perfumed toilet paper
- Wearing underwear or pajamas when sleeping. Wearing a night robe instead will help with air circulation.
- Tight-fitting clothes such as jeans these create a moist environment that encourages the growth of yeast.
What Are Its Symptoms
- a burning sensation while peeing
- a rash that appears in and around the vulva, which can spread to other areas like the thighs and the groin.
These signs can take from a few hours or even weeks to subside.
In newly born babies and those women that have a weak immune system, the yeast infection might occur in the mouth area. This is referred to as thrush.
However, if you are experiencing these symptoms, it does not always mean that you are suffering from a yeast infection as some other conditions also come with the same types of signs and symptoms like:
- an allergic reaction to a type of soap that you have used to clean your genitals or a birth control method such as a condom.
- a sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhea and chlamydia
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What Are The Treatments For Pelvic Discomfort
Treating pelvic ache requires treating the underlying cause. This means taking antifungal medications for pelvic ache due to vaginal candidiasis.
While the underlying cause is being addressed, treatment for pelvic ache will focus on pain relief. You can find examples of effective pain relief measures below.
Pain Relief Measures
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Should Pregnant People Try Alternative Treatments
You may have stumbled upon some home remedies with tips and tricks to naturally treat yeast infections. These involve using household staples such as yogurt, coconut oil or garlic, as well as other oils like tea tree and oregano, either topically or orally to suppress yeast infections.
While some of these recommendations have been studied, it is not recommended that pregnant people attempt to treat themselves. During your pregnancy, be sure to consult your doctor for treatment options and just use garlic to spice up your food instead of as an antifungal.
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How To Treat Yeast Infections During Pregnancy
Rachel Gurevich is a fertility advocate, author, and recipient of The Hope Award for Achievement, from Resolve: The National Infertility Association. She is a professional member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and has been writing about womens health since 2001. Rachel uses her own experiences with infertility to write compassionate, practical, and supportive articles.
If you’re an adult woman, chances are you’ve had a yeast infection at some point in your life and know that it’s anything but fun. But did you know yeast infections occur more frequently in women who are pregnant?
Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a normal fungus. About one-third of all women normally carry this fungus in their vaginas, and both men and women carry it in their digestive tracts.
During pregnancyparticularly in the second trimesterwomen become more susceptible to yeast problems. The increased risk during pregnancy is at least partially due to the increased estrogen circulating in a pregnant womans body.
While they’re annoying and uncomfortable, yeast infections are not harmful to your health. Unlike with other types of infections, you generally wouldn’t be prescribed antibiotics for a yeast infection .
A yeast infection will also not harm your baby, although they may still get yeast infections, no matter how or when they are born.
How Does It Affect Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant
An untreated yeast infection is not the exact cause of infertility in women however, it certainly plays an indirect role in creating complications for conception in the following ways:
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If a woman has a yeast infection, she should avoid having sex, as there are high chances that the infection will be passed on to her partner.
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The pain and discomfort can prevent her from having sex. She may not feel like having sex because of the intense pain. Both of these factors can make her miss her fertile window, thereby affecting her chances of conceiving.
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Certain antifungal creams used for treating the infection can change the vaginal pH balance, which may hamper the easy transportation of the sperm to the egg.
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It is also possible that a womans immune system can become counterproductive, and the white blood cells in her body while battling the yeast infection may unintentionally extinguish her partners sperm thus making conception harder.
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