Vaginal infections during pregnancy
What are the signs symptoms of infection during pregnancy?
When pregnant, the vagina is a more sensitive area than usual. The risk of developing a vaginal infection is therefore higher.
If you experience itching or burning in your vagina, you may have a vaginal infection . Unfortunately, you are not spared during pregnancy, and treatment should not wait.
What causes vaginal infection when pregnant?
There are several types of vaginal infections, but only one is particularly common during pregnancy: vaginal mycoses . Explanation: your vagina is made up of microorganisms that protect it against pathogenic bacteria , this is called the vaginal flora. When bad germs settle there, it is disrupted, and the infection appears. When pregnant, the first cause is the hormonal upheaval that your body undergoes (useful for the proper development of Baby). The high level of estrogen can lead to a lowering of the acidity level in the vagina. Result: you end up with a pH that is too high, and an unbalanced vaginal flora.
Too high a hormone level is not the only cause of vaginal infections during pregnancy , it can also be clothing that is too tight or not very absorbent, poor personal hygiene, or, on the contrary, too much personal hygiene, irritation, an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease), an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)...
What are the symptoms of a vaginal infection during pregnancy?
The symptoms of a vaginal infection during pregnancy are the same as outside of pregnancy : unusual vaginal discharge, bad odor, itching, redness, irritation, dryness... If you feel the slightest discomfort in the vagina, do not hesitate to consult a specialist.
What are the risks of a vaginal infection in pregnant women?
Don't wait for a vaginal infection to go away on its own, especially when you're pregnant. " Some infections can cause uterine contractions , and they're one of the first causes that specialists look for in premature births.
The risk is also Streptococcus B. This is a germ that about 25% of women have in the vagina naturally . It is not considered an infection outside of pregnancy. However, if you are a carrier and pregnant, you risk transmitting the bacteria to your baby during childbirth, which leads to neonatal infections such as meningitis or late infections . Rest assured, during the last pregnancy consultation, screening by vaginal swab is systematic. If there is indeed the presence of Streptococcus B in your vagina, you will be quickly taken care of. A very specific protocol follows when your baby is born.