The Effects of vaginal Yeast Infection on Pregnancy
One of the many common ailments affecting women today is vaginal yeast infection. It has become so common a disease to women that every female in this planet will someday have to face this disease. Furthermore, vaginal yeast infection seems to occur frequently during pregnancies. Pregnant women are infected by this disease for a number of reasons, many of which are beyond their control.
What is a vaginal yeast infection? This disease is also called Candidiasis. It is caused by yeast-like fungus called Candida Albicans. Normally, this fungus is quite common to the human body and it also helps maintain the balance of microorganisms in our bodies. They thrive in dark and moist areas. The infection starts only when there is abnormal growth of the fungus. This abnormal growth can be triggered by several reasons.
There are so many factors that trigger a vaginal yeast infection. It may be your lifestyle or your diet. High sugar blood level is also known to make the fungus grow rapidly. Whatever the case may be, this infection must be treated immediately. Delaying the treatment may cause permanent damage or even death.
Pregnant women are infected by this disease when their estrogen levels change. Estrogen does not cause the yeast infection directly. When a woman is in her high pregnancy, her body begins to produce loads of estrogen. Consequently, her body also increases the production of glycogen, which may cause the yeast to grow faster and allow the fungus to stick to the vaginal walls. Clearly, this is not the woman’s fault. It is just the normal process of her body.
Antibiotics also can cause the fungus to grow out of proportion. Antibiotics can kill harmful bacteria but it can also weaken the beneficial bacteria in the vagina. Once the beneficial bacteria are weakened, the fungus can then overpower it, thus the multiplication of its numbers.
Good news for mothers is that yeast infection does not have any bad effects on the baby while still in the womb. Generally, the treatment for pregnant women is just the same with non-pregnant women. However, it is still best to consult your doctor. There are even medicines specifically tailored for pregnant women who have yeast infection. After all, pregnancy is always a sensitive and important situation so extreme care must be taken.
Studies show that 15% of pregnant women will be infected with yeast infection. Some doctors even consider it as a normal process of the body. The only thing to remember is that it has no negative effects on the baby. But you must also consult your doctor just to be safe.