Yeast Infections and Pregnancy: A Cause for Concern

Women often face problems related to the ‘Yeast Infections’. The problem turns risky during the pregnancy period among women. Experts say that pregnant women are more likely to have the increased risk of ‘Yeast Infections’. Doctors suggest that self-diagnosis in such a situation can be even more dangerous. Pregnant women specifically, should never try taking any drug, be it tropical or otherwise, in an attempt to treat themselves without any advice of a doctor.

Results of some studies show that nearly 75% of the women have a fair chance to have at least one vaginal yeast infection during their life time. Almost 45% of the women however, have more than one chance for such kind of infections. Vaginal yeast infections are also known as ‘Candida Vaginal Infections’.’Candida Albicans’ is a type of fungus that causes infections.

Doctors need to take an extra caution while treating such women because they have got a developing fetus that need an extra care and this is a big concern also. Pregnancy condition thus becomes an important factor in the pre-natal care.

Concerns of Origin

Experts and researchers across the world have yet to discover the exact reason for ‘Yeast Infections’ during pregnancy. Pregnancy in itself a state in which it makes an impact on reducing the body’s immune system to such a stage where it is conducive for an organism to have good growth and cause relative symptoms with no efforts.

Some of the experts, on the other hand believe that the pregnancy in itself does not cause any ‘Yeast infection’. It is basically the stress that the pregnant women undergo and that makes them more susceptible to such infections. The stress may be due to poor diet, lack of sound sleep, some illness, and taking antibiotics.

For some experts, the risk of falling infected with yeast is more probably dependent upon the local immune system. If pregnant women have sound immune system it probably does not matter what she consumes, she will never be infected. Women with immune-suppressing diseases such as diabetes and HIV infection also are at increased risk.

Yeast Infections could also be a result of regular ups and downs of the hormone levels in the body of pregnant women. More acidic vaginal pH level helps such women fight an infection. On the other hand, second trimester has an increase of sugar in the vaginal secretions. This sugar excess helps the baby grow on one side while it increases the amount of sugar that is helpful for yeast growing on the other side.

Treatment Concerns

The treatment of ‘Yeast Infection’ is no different in cases of pregnant women and non-pregnant women. The only difference exists with the presence of the fetus. Any treatment given to the pregnant women must be addressing to the health of fetus as well.

‘Diflucan’, an oral drug for treating such infections, for instance would be easily absorbed within the blood and therefore, presents a big risk for the fetus. In otherwise situations, Diflucan is an excellent drug for treating the vaginal yeast infections. Because of this effect, the doctors generally avoid prescribing this drug to pregnant women.’Diflucan’ may also cause teratogenic problems with the baby. It is also likely to have adverse impacts on the mother’s liver.

Vaginal treatments generally include the tropical drugs. These drugs are applied directly at the spot in the body where infection has taken place. This direct application is little less dangerous. The active chemicals present in the drugs have far less chances to affect the fetus and therefore these drugs are comparatively safer.

More treatment drugs that are commonly prescribed to the infected include ‘Monistat’,’Terazol’, Gyne-Lotrimin’, ‘Mycostatin’, or ‘Nystatin’. These are all equally effective vaginal tablets.

Occurrence and Reoccurrence Concerns

An occurrence of the ‘Yeast Infection’ during the early stage of pregnancy is a big problem. In this stage, the treatment must be started as early as possible. Doctors prevalently use ‘gentian violet’, ‘Mycostatin’ early in the pregnancy. Completion of a quickest possible treatment will reduce the risk of exposure to the fetus even when it is too small.

Reoccurrence of the ‘Yeast Infection’ is even more acute problem with pregnant women. If this reoccurrence happens at the time of childbirth, it will be a high risk as the chances of transmission of the same infection to the newborn are increased manifold.

Concerns with Treatment Schedules

Length of the treatment is another concerning issue in the pregnancy period. The shorter the treatment the better it would be for both, the pregnant women and the fetus. Doctors say that in normal conditions a treatment based on three days schedule would work. The rate of reaction to these treatments is generally very less. Although there is also a one day treatment schedule but this may have a higher rate of reaction among the infected pregnant women. Experts therefore have less preference for this schedule.

Baby Concerns

The newborn or the neonate is susceptible to have a thrush in the oral cavity. It is often observed that such newborns have white patches on their tongue that looks like a ‘Yeast Infection’. One must not have a miss-understanding in identifying this infection. A treatment for ‘diaper rash’ would start otherwise. Once properly diagnosed, the infection can be easily treated with a simple anti-fungal cream.

Diagnosis Concerns

Classifying all vaginal infections during the pregnancy time as the yeast infections would be another concern as it happens very often. A careful examination, evaluation, and diagnosis are therefore the most important aspect. Pregnant women experiencing any kind of irritation or other feelings must immediately consult a doctor.

‘Yeast Infection’ is gradually growing as a cause of concern worldwide. Several study findings have demonstrated that such infections during the pregnancy are even more common these days than ever before.

-by

WWW.healthycare.in