One of the most wonderful times in a woman\’s life will be when she becomes pregnant. However, many women find that they are more likely to develop a yeast infection during pregnancy. This in a large part is due to the increased levels of estrogen in the body, which will produce a far more suitable environment for yeast to grow. Yeast is known to grow amongst the dark, moist and humid areas of the body. Therefore the vagina is especially prone to attack, but yeast can even grow around the nipple area which will cause problems when it comes to feeding your newborn baby!
What are the signs of a yeast infection during pregnancy?
There are numerous signs and symptoms of this type of infection. These include:-
- Burning and itchiness of the vulva or labia
- Burning and itchiness when urinating
- A white, odorless discharge from the vagina that vaguely resembles cottage cheese
- Pain during intercourse
How do you treat a yeast infection during pregnancy?
It is extremely important that a yeast infection during pregnancy is correctly diagnosed by your doctor. A bacterial infection can have many of the same symptoms as above, but is treated completely differently.
If this infection is left untreated, you may pass the yeast fungus to your baby\’s mouth during delivery and thus give them thrush. Many doctors will prescribe creams and suppositories to deal with a yeast infection during pregnancy, however you need to be wary. Many of these prescription creams contain boric acid, which is used in rat poison! However the oral treatment, Diflucan is a proven method to treat yeast infections during pregnancy. It is important to know that Diflucan will fight the symptoms and provide some relief, but this is not an actual cure!
There are numerous natural remedies that you can try, but once again, as you need to take your baby\’s safety into consideration before trying them, please consult a doctor. Garlic, apple cider vinegar and pro-biotic yogurts when added to the infected area can provide some soothing relief.
