Thrush is an extremely irritating vaginal infection which women are more prone to when they are pregnant. It has been estimated that pregnant women are between two and ten times more likely to get thrush than non-pregnant women. This is because the hormonal changes of pregnancy alter the acid-alkali balance of the vagina, making it easier for the organism that causes thrush, which normally lives in the body quite harmlessly, to multiply.
The symptoms of thrush are a thick white vaginal discharge which looks a bit like cottage cheese, and redness and intense itching in and around the vagina. It can flare up at any time during pregnancy but is more common in the last three months or in hot weather. If you have thrush when your baby is born, it is possible for the baby to pick it up, often in his mouth. If this happens, it is usually easily treated by your doctor.
What can I do about it?
- Use an antifungal cream or pessary, which your doctor can prescribe or which you can get over the counter (remember to tell the pharmacist that you are pregnant)
- Cut down on sugary foods – the fungus that causes thrush thrives in a sugary environment. Try eating live yoghurt – it contains organisms that destroy the fungus
- Wear cotton knickers and, if possible, don’t wear tights
- Use a clean towel every day and don’t share towels with anyone else, to prevent the
infection spreading. Wash your genital area every day in the shower. If this isn’t
possible, use a clean flannel to wash yourself
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