Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

It isn’t uncommon for women to develop a yeast infection during pregnancy, and while it isn’t a risk to the growing baby it can be passed on during the birthing process. For this reason it is important to treat a yeast infection as soon as the symptoms become apparent.

The Cause Of A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

The main cause of pregnancy yeast infections is hormonal changes. During the second and third trimesters of a pregnancy the female body goes through copious changes and the hormone levels rise and fall dramatically. The chemical environment within the vagina changes as well and unfortunately it becomes the perfect habitat for the fungus that causes yeast infections, Candida albicans. To make matters worse, the vaginal secretions now contain sugars and this only serves to feed the yeast spores.

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Developing a yeast infection during the pregnancy months has nothing to do with bad hygiene and shouldn’t be thought of in this way. Many women mistakenly think that they somehow cause their yeast infection but in the vast majority of cases it is simply an opportunistic infection that comes with pregnancy.

Treatment Options For A Pregnancy Yeast Infection

The treatment options for a yeast infection during pregnancy are slightly more limited than at other times. Any oral medications should be avoided and so the recommended treatments are the topical ones – both over-the-counter and natural. If over-the-counter medications are used it is important to note that they are in fact suitable for use during pregnancy, as a small number do involve taking a tablet orally. Most are fine though and use an anti-fungal cream or vaginal suppository applied directly to the infected areas.

In addition there are several natural treatments that can also produce the desired effect. The best one for use during pregnancy is unsweetened natural yoghurt as it contains no chemicals or additives that can harm the baby. Small amounts can be applied directly to the genital area to treat to yeast infection from the outside while eating a daily portion will help to combat the problem from inside.

Preventative Measures For A Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

Once a yeast infection has been treated it is important to prevent further outbreaks, especially late in pregnancy when the infection can be passed to the mouth of the baby. There are numerous simple preventative measures that can be followed by expectant mothers including those outlined below.

• Wear loose clothing and undergarments that allow the skin to stay cool and dry. Cotton is by far the best material for the job.
• Fully dry the genital area after washing as yeast infections thrive in damp, warm areas.
• Change out of damp clothing as soon as possible if you are unfortunate enough to get wet. This applies to swimming suits and gym clothing as well.
• Try to stick to unperfumed, natural bathing and sanitary products. Avoid scented panty liners, bath accessories and even fragranced toilet paper.
• Include natural yogurt in the daily diet, or alternatively drink a portion of Probiotic milk each day. In addition, try to limit sugar intake so that the body’s yeast spores are not overfed to the point of causing an infection.

It is hard to avoid developing a yeast infection during pregnancy and it is thought that around two thirds of pregnant women suffer at some point before they give birth. Speedy treatment and preventative measures will help though, so that levels of discomfort are kept to a minimum. CLICK HERE To Cure Your Yeast Infection During Pregnancy