Cellulite Solutions | Beating Allergies | Pregnancy Guide | Back Pain | Sleep Deep

Pregnancy Yeast Infection

What happens if you become ill during pregnancy? It's bound to happen, but what are the risks and what can you take?

Pregnancy lasts nine months, so it stands to reason that at some point you will catch a minor illness.

But do these illnesses have any effect on your baby, and what can you take to make yourself feel better? Be wary of taking any over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies and supplements until you have consulted your healthcare provider.

URINARY TRACT INFECTION

If you get a burning sensation when you pee, or are having to pee even more often than usual, you may have a urine infection. You may feel as though you still need to go when you have finished, and your pee may smell stronger than usual. Untreated, this infection could become severe and could even lead to premature labour.

Consult your doctor. She may prescribe antibiotics. In the meantime, drink plenty of water. To prevent recurrence of the infection, complete your course of antibiotics. Pee as often as you feel you need to - don't wait for long periods of time. Always pee after you have sex, to flush out any germs that may have entered your urinary tract. And after you go to the loo, always wipe from front to back to prevent transfer of bacteria.

THRUSH OR YEAST INFECTION

If your vaginal discharge becomes thick and white, like cottage cheese, and you have itching in your vaginal area, you may have thrush. This infection is common in pregnant women - you are an appalling ten times more likely to suffer in pregnancy than you were before you were pregnant.

If you think you have thrush, let your doctor know. She is likely to prescribe some pessaries that are safe to use at your stage of pregnancy. Do not use over-the-counter remedies without checking with your doctor.

You can also help yourself. Wear cotton knickers - they are more 'breathable' than synthetics and allow air flow. Avoid bubble baths which may irritate your inflamed tissue - and too much warm moisture will allow the bacteria that causes thrush to flourish. The good news is that thrush will not affect your baby. If you had it while you were in labour, there is a chance you would pass it to your baby. This causes some white patches and possibly soreness in your baby's mouth, but is quickly and easily treatable.

COLDS AND FLU

Generally speaking, if you catch a cold or flu, there is little to worry about. The thing to avoid is a high fever as this has been implicated in causing early miscarriages and foetal abnormalities.

You are more likely to feel 'stuffed up' during pregnancy, as hormonal changes affect your nasal passages. Your immune system is also affected, so the symptoms of a cold may linger more than usual.

If you feel as though you have flu - achy muscles, headache, fever - call your healthcare provider. Drink plenty of fluid, rest and sponge yourself down with tepid (not cold) water to bring down your temperature. Your doctor may recommend that you take some paracetamol to bring down your fever. Although some research has suggested that regular (daily) use of paracetamol by pregnant women may cause wheeziness in children, it is still generally accepted to be the safest painkiller for expectant mothers. Taking aspirin while pregnant is not recommended.

Try to eat regularly - frequent small, light meals if you cannot stomach much food at once. Your partner could help by making you fresh fruit and yoghurt smoothies to keep your intake of vitamins and nutrients high.


Custom Search