Your body goes through some amazing changes when you're pregnant. One of those changes involves surges in hormones, and that can make you more susceptible to yeast infections. Yeast infections are common in pregnancy, and they don't usually cause any harm to your baby. However, medications used to treat an infection might affect your baby, so you should see your OBGYN doctor for advice on the right medication to use. Here are the symptoms of a yeast infection, how your doctor might treat it, and ways to reduce your risk of getting a yeast infection while pregnant.
Symptoms Of A Vaginal Yeast Infection
When you have a yeast infection, you may have intense itching. There is also a change in your discharge. While it's common to have a discharge during pregnancy, it's normally a thin fluid. When you have a yeast infection, the discharge becomes much thicker. If you've never had a yeast infection before and you're having unusual symptoms or notice a discharge, make an appointment with your OBGYN to see if you have a yeast infection and need treatment. If you've had yeast infections in the past and recognize the symptoms, you should still see your doctor. The symptoms of a yeast infection can be similar to STD infections, so getting the right diagnosis is important during pregnancy.
Treatments For Yeast Infections When You're Pregnant
Your doctor might give you a prescription to treat the yeast infection or they might recommend an over-the-counter product for you to use. Your doctor will tell you which over-the-counter medications are safe as some of them should be avoided since they may not be safe for your baby. In addition, your doctor will probably advise against oral medication when you're pregnant and have you use vaginal treatments only. It may take several days for your symptoms to go away and you might have the infection return later in your pregnancy. If your yeast infection clears up quickly once you begin treatment, continue to use the medication until it's gone if that's what your doctor recommends.
Prevention Involves Keeping The Area Dry
Moisture creates a breeding ground for yeast, so one important way to prevent another yeast infection is to keep the vaginal area dry. Do this by changing out of a damp swimsuit or gym clothes right away. Wear cotton panties that absorb moisture and be sure to dry thoroughly before dressing after a shower. Your doctor might also advise that you make dietary changes since yeast thrives on sugar. By limiting sugar and refined carbs, you might reduce your risk of another infection.
When my husband and I struggled to conceive our second child, I knew something wasn't right, but I wasn't sure what. I went through several appointments with my OBGYN before finding out that I had an autoimmune disease that affected my thyroid, which in turn affected my fertility. The process was overwhelming, and the feelings I faced afterward were challenging. I knew that there had to be others going through the same thing, and I didn't want them to feel alone. I created this site to share what I've learned about fertility and gynecology in the hopes of reaching people like me and helping them understand, too.