Pregnancy & Bacterial Vaginosis Risks

How does bacterial vaginosis affect a pregnancy?

Enduring nine months of pregnancy is difficult enough and if you happen to get stuck with some infection, life can be sheer hell. One of the most frequently occurring infections is bacterial vaginosis. The bad news is you’re more prone to getting it during pregnancy than at any other time.

Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy

You’re more susceptible to this infection during pregnancy because of the hormonal changes occurring in your body. This changes the acidic environment of the vagina that actually keeps a check on the infection-inducing yeast growth. Also, the increased amount of sugar in the vaginal secretions, during this period, acts as an open invitation for yeast to feast on, leading to bacterial vaginosis.

Effects of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy

During pregnancy, all the normal symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, like redness, itching, burning of the vagina and thick discharge remain. However, pregnancy presents some additional problems, which may result in:

a. Amniotic fluid infection:

The amniotic fluid, in which the fetus develops, can get bacterial vaginosis infection through the vagina.

b. Premature babies:

Premature labor and bacterial vaginosis are linked, as the babies may be born premature or with low birth weight due to this infection.

c. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID):

The bacteria that cause vaginosis can sometimes infect the uterus and the fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease. This can cause infertility or damage to the tubes.

d. Ectopic pregnancy:

Severe cases of PID can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening condition. In this the fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, in the fallopian tube, resulting in its rupture. This may cause infertility.

e. Chorioamnionitis:

Bacterial vaginosis causes the inflammation of the chorion and the amnion, the membranes that surround the fetus. This infection is dangerous to the mother and child, as it greatly increases the risk of preterm labor and, if the child survives, the risk of cerebral palsy.

f. Post-cesarean and postpartum endometritis:

Endometritis is an inflammation or irritation of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. It may be caused by bacterial vaginosis.

g. Miscarriage:

Studies indicate that bacterial vaginosis and miscarriage have a common link, as this infection may cause miscarriages.

Bacterial vaginosis treatment

If you’re pregnant, your physician will usually examine you for signs of bacterial vaginosis by performing laboratory tests on the vaginal fluid. You’re certain to be examined, irrespective of whether you show any symptoms, if you’ve had a history of premature delivery or have had a low birth weight baby.

Generally, over-the-counter treatment for bacterial vaginosis is through the use of antibiotics. The antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis are generally metronidazole and clindamycin. Although, both can be used by non-pregnant and pregnant women, the dosage differs. The two can be prescribed both orally and topically, depending upon the condition.

It may take ten to fourteen days to get complete bacterial vaginosis cure. Once the infection has cleared, using a starch-free drying powder or Nystatin powder will prevent bacterial vaginosis from recurring. However, despite all the treatments, chronic bacterial vaginosis can recur.

Prevention of bacterial vaginosis

If you’re pregnant, you’d need to be doubly careful to nip the bacterial vaginosis in the bud. So, to start with, wear loose cotton clothing that do not accumulate sweat; keep yourself dry, especially in the genital area; totally avoid douching and other toilet products, like hygiene sprays and the like; and wipe yourself from front to back and not the other way round after using the toilet to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina.

So, take all possible precautions for preventing bacterial vaginosis. However, if you suspect something, get yourself examined at the first instance and take all the prescribed medicines regularly to get rid of bacterial vaginosis.