Yeast Infection Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very delicate stage in every woman’s life. Your body is changing everyday, and it’s up to you to take extra care of your body at this time. At this time, women are vulnerable to many diseases and infection that may not affect you otherwise. All of us have heard about yeast infection, but how many of us know exactly what it is, where it affects and how to treat it?? Not many, I’m sure! Most of us are only acquainted with the name. And when it is yeast infection during pregnancy…you need to sit up and take notice! For now it’s not only yourself you need to take care of, but your baby too!
First things first, what exactly is yeast infection? It is a fungal infection, caused by the fungus Candida albicans, which is normally found in the body, in the vaginal canal of the woman. But it’s only when the fungal colony exceeds the normal count that the infection occurs.

Let’s now move on to the causes of yeast infection, especially in pregnant women. You must be aware the body undergoes a lot of hormonal changes during pregnancy. This change in the hormonal balance is a main contributor to this infection. Other factors include taking oral contraceptives, steroidal drugs and increase in sugar levels to name a few.

The next question on your mind is definitely why the disease is more common in pregnant women. Well, an increased hormonal level is definitely one reason why. Increased levels of estrogen leads to an increased carbohydrate level in the vaginal cells, which is the rich breeding ground for the fungus…which easily spreads its territory. Estrogen levels normally go up during pregnancy; and this often increases the yeast count in vaginal cells which leads to a infectious condition known as vaginitis. Other causes are connected to the levels of hygiene you maintain during this period. For example, you need to keep your body dry at all times, since you can contract this infection through soaps or infected water. Before moving on, one things needs to be clarified. The disease is certainly more common in pregnant or lactating women, but that surely doesn’t mean all pregnant women contract this disease. This is just one of the many risk factors that all pregnant women need to be aware of.

Lastly, the treatment of this infection. It’s important that you visit your doctor when you start feeling the symptoms of the infection, which include an uncomfortable burning sensation in the vagina, and often a whitish discharge. Doctors normally do not prescribe oral antifungal medicines during this period, and may suggest vaginal creams. This infection, if not treated in due time, may pass on to your baby as oral thrush. So you have to be extra careful.