Pregnancy is a time to be careful against Yeast Infections
July 12, 2008 Vaginal Yeast Infection, Yeast Infection and Pregnancy No CommentsMost women suffer from yeast infection at some point or the other in their lives and those who chronically suffer from this disease usually are not overly bothered when another bout yeast infection strikes them. But if they are pregnant, these same women become terribly worried about it. This sudden change in attitude is not difficult to reason out. Vaginal infection can very quickly spread to uterus and, if it does so, it might harm the yet to be born baby a great deal.
Just to compound the worries of a pregnant woman, it has been found women are more vulnerable to yeast infection during the advanced stages of their pregnancy. There is a clear cut scientific reason for this to happen. The female body experiences hormonal changes during pregnancy. The level of female hormone estrogen increases and this leads to increase in the concentration of glycogen in the vaginal zone. This creates an environment very conducive to growth and multiplication of yeast. So, a woman sometimes becomes a victim of yeast infection during pregnancy in spite of her best efforts to maintain proper hygiene and remaining extra vigilant about what she eats.
If you feel you have actually contracted yeast infection while you are pregnant, don?t waste any time and consult your doctor at the earliest. Any delay on your part may harm your unborn child though such chances are extremely remote. In ninety percent of the cases the doctor might also prescribe you an over-the-counter cream which you already knew of but don?t take chances and try self medication. The issue at hand is too delicate for you to take any chances.
In case you feel no reduction in irritation within forty eight hours after applying prescribed medication, rush to the doctor once more for him to do another round of extensive inspection. During pregnancy the hormonal balance of your body changes radically and it may very well happen that what once worked almost miraculously might be completely ineffective now.
Though the chances of your yet to be born baby catching this infection is extremely remote, if you have vaginal yeast infection when the child is being born there are chances that the infection is transferred to the child as it passes through the vaginal passage. So, it is extremely important that the birth passage remains totally free from any yeast infection when the child is being born. In case, you still have a yeast infection when the child is being born, don?t feel remorseful or guilty, such an infection in the child can be cured very easily. But it is always better not to have an infection rather than have one and then get it cured.
There are certain basic steps in hygiene which you must follow while you are pregnant. Try to avoid wearing synthetic underwear and go for white cotton ones instead. Also try to keep the vaginal area as clean and dry as possible. Though it sounds and at time looks also extremely glamorous when a woman lounges around in wet bikinis around a swimming pool, never do it. Wet or moist clothes are an open invitation to yeast infection. Also avoid tight fitting clothes which sit tightly around the groin, go for loose skirts and sweatpants instead. And, avoid spraying perfumes or sprinkling scented powders or applying sweet smelling lubricants in that area.
Bubble baths are a luxury few women can resist but they are an open invitation to yeast infections too. So, at least as long as you are pregnant, try to avoid perfumed bubble baths as much as possible. If the affected area itches too much, apply an ice pack. It would not eliminate the infection that?s for sure but you’ll definitely feel a lot relieved after putting an ice pack for about half an hour on the affected area. There is another option available for you too. You can take a cool bath with baking soda for an immediate relief.