How Can a Yeast Infection Affect My Pregnancy?
Many females will suffer from yeast infection sometime during their lives
The teenage years are the usual starting point for this infection to first become prevalent. It is not uncommon for it to take hold even before this.
A yeast infection during pregnancy is even more commonplace due to conditions that we shall take a look at further in this report.
What is a yeast infection
A yeast infection can be known by a number of names, Candida or Candida albicans, for the more mainstay types of infection, or thrush which is used usually to identify an oral yeast infection.
It is caused by a buildup of yeast within the bloodstream.
Yeast is present in every person on the earth. Most are not even aware of its existence.
In a normal healthy person the immune system controls the buildup of yeast to keep it at safe levels.
When the immune system is weakened or breaks down it is then that the yeast can proliferate and it is this volume of yeast that causes the infection.
Why does pregnancy cause more yeast infections?
Yeast Infections – What are the Causes?
During pregnancy the immune system is weakened to allow the fetus to develop without threat from the mother’s own body.
Unfortunately this can also allow the yeast in the body the opportunity to multiply with little check on it.
In addition the hormonal levels of a pregnant woman are not as stable and this can also lead to a friendlier environment for yeast to proliferate.
Symptoms of yeast infection during pregnancy
The symptoms during pregnancy of a yeast infection are very much akin to those women that are not pregnant.
- Where the infection has taken hold expect to see inflamed areas, and these will be incredibly itchy. Try applying a little yoghurt to the area for some temporary relief.
- In a vagina infection there may be a discharge either clear or coloured. If you find the texture to be like cottage cheese then don’t worry as this is commonplace.
- Tiny blisters could well appear in areas affected.
- If the infection is oral then in addition to the symptoms above, the tongue may develop a white coating. This white coating should not be removed.
Rest assured that a yeast infection during pregnancy will not affect the development of the fetus. But your symptoms could be passed along, for example a diaper rash or white coated tongue.
A baby with yeast infection can be easily treated but it would obviously be best if infections were kept under control during the pregnancy.
Yeast infection treatment during pregnancy
Two tablespoons of cider vinegar in the bath will help. Give yourself at least 15 minutes in the bath for the full effect, 20 would be better.
Tea tree oil has long been known as antiseptic, that this onto the areas affected. It’s recommended to try this on a small test area of skin first then to dilute it if it is found too strong.
To replenish some of the good bacteria in the gut which control the multiplication of yeast, take probiotic drinks or yoghurt, ensuring it is of the type that contains live cultures.
Rest assured that even though a yeast infection can be uncomfortable, embarrassing and inconvenient it is easily treatable and even re-occurring infections can be kept under control with a sensible diet and a good lifestyle.
