When pregnancy begins, hormones in the body skyrocket making pregnant women more susceptible to a variety of vaginal infections during pregnancy. Below are some common bacterial infections, along with how to treat them if you're pregnant with bacterial vaginosis.
During pregnancy, the mother's body will change in many different directions. One of these changes will lead to an increase in vaginal discharge. If your vaginal discharge is clear or white and has no smell, this is normal caused by pregnancy hormones.
However, if the vaginal discharge is too high, it means that your vagina is infected. This happens when the natural balance of bacteria that live in the vagina is disrupted.
There are four types of vaginal infections (from common to rare) that can affect pregnant women: bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, group B Strep (GBS), and Trichomonas infection.
The good news for pregnant women is that vaginal infections are easily treated, if diagnosed in time. However, you need to be able to differentiate between normal vaginal fluids and vaginal discharge that shows signs of infection.
The four types of vaginal infections have different symptoms, effects, treatment, and prevention methods. What kind of infection are you likely to have?
About one in five pregnant women will experience an infection that causes itching and discomfort in the genital area. Vaginal bacteria happen when hormones in the mother's body change, leading to the overgrowth of bacteria that naturally live in the vagina.
If not treated early, symptoms will persist and can lead to a premature birth or a low weight baby. Even in women who are not pregnant, vaginal bacteria can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause infertility or damage the fallopian tubes.
Vaginal bacteria can be diagnosed simply by the doctor taking a cotton swab, applying a little bit of your secretion to a plastic pad and transferring it for analysis.
Signs and symptoms include:
Vaginal discharge thin, milky white;
Pain when urinating;
Itching around the vagina;
Treatment:
If you are in the first 3 months of pregnancy, your doctor may ask you to wait until the next 3 months for treatment. The most commonly used antibiotics are metronidazole or clindamycin.
Prevention tips:
Wearing wet swimsuits or underwear soaked in sweat will help you create an environment for bacteria to grow. Therefore, you should use cotton underwear after you swim or work to both comfort you and prevent vaginal infections;
Sleeping without underwear helps to reduce the risk of infection;
Wipe your vulva from front to back after you use the bathroom to keep bacteria from spreading from your anus to your vagina;
Limit your use of shower oils as they can worsen the infection.
When you feel that your lower abdomen is very itchy and burning sensations, it means your vagina is suffering from a yeast infection, a natural fungus that lives in the vagina is overgrown. During pregnancy, the mother's body increases estrogen levels and progesterone creates the environment in which yeasts can thrive.
Other causes of yeast infections include taking antibiotics and having sex. This can disrupt the natural pH of a woman's vagina.
Your doctor can diagnose a yeast infection by removing vaginal discharge and testing it.
Signs and symptoms:
Red and itchy vagina, sometimes with a feeling of vaginal dryness;
Redness of the skin, enlarged vagina and labia;
A thick, white or yellow vaginal discharge may or may not be odorless. If it does, the smell will be like toast;
Painful or unpleasant sensations during sex;
Feeling pain when urinating.
Treatment:
Your doctor may recommend a vaginal cream or cream, or an oral antifungal like fluconazole (Diflucan®).
Prevention tips:
Wear cotton underwear, allow air to circulate and absorb vaginal fluids;
Sleep without underwear to reduce your risk of infection;
Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to get rid of toxins;
Urinate regularly to help eliminate bacterial infections;
Eat foods rich in carbohydrates and grains instead of refined sugars to help reduce environmental factors conducive to infection;
Eat yogurt regularly as lactobacillus naturally present in yogurt, is a probiotic that promotes digestion and prevents vaginal infections.
According to research, about 20% to 25% of healthy women have GBS bacteria living in their bodies, usually in the digestive tract, rectum or vagina.
Usually, doctors will check for GBS between weeks 35 and 37 of your pregnancy. Although many healthy people have GBS living in their bodies, some individuals get more serious infections from GBS while others do not.
Signs and symptoms:
GBS infection can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) in some people, but in some cases there are no symptoms at all. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include pain or burning when urinating, cloudy urine, and persistent urination.
Treatment:
If the test is positive for GBS, you will need antibiotic treatment during labor so you don't pass the infection on to your baby. Without antibiotics, infants are at risk for early-onset GBS, fever, difficulty eating and drowsiness.
Prevention tips:
Unfortunately, there is currently no way to prevent GBS infection.
With estimates by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with about 7.4 million new cases each year, Trichomonas vaginitis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. most and treatable.
The disease is caused by the parasites Trichomonas vaginalis through sex and usually live in the vagina.
Signs and symptoms:
Vaginal discharge yellowish green, foamy, foul-smelling;
Itching, burning, and possible irritation during sex.
Treatment:
Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics such as metronidazole and tinidazole.
Prevention tips:
You and your partner need to perform relevant tests to get the right treatment. Besides, you should only have sex with only 1 person to reduce the risk of infection with Trichomonas.
In addition, using a condom can help prevent infection during sex.
Most cases of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy have measures to prevent or treat. However, to ensure the safety of pregnancy and effective treatment, you should create safe sex, create a daily routine of personal hygiene, as well as visit your obstetrician and gynecologist regularly.
You can see more:
Don't be afraid to talk to him about bacterial vaginosis
Get tested for vaginal infections
How does pregnancy affect your vagina?
Prenatal vitamins can worsen nausea, especially on an empty stomach. Learn practical timing and food adjustments, safer options to discuss, and when to call your pregnancy care team.
Nighttime leg cramps are common in pregnancy, but their exact cause is often unclear. Learn likely contributors, safe relief steps, and warning signs that need prompt care.
Pack a small hospital bag with the essentials, protect important medical aids, and check which items your hospital provides or restricts.
Learn when pregnancy swelling can wait for routine discussion, when to call maternity care the same day, and which symptoms need emergency help now.
Ease pregnancy heartburn with smaller meals, smart timing, and pregnancy-aware medication advice—without cutting nutritious foods or skipping prenatal supplements.
Help older children adjust to a new baby with honest, age-appropriate conversations, optional ways to join in, steady routines, and space for mixed feelings.
Try pregnancy-safe pillow positioning and gentle turning strategies for hip pain at night, and learn when persistent pain or other symptoms need medical care.
Morning sickness can ease and return as pregnancy symptoms fluctuate. Learn common triggers, practical steps, and when nausea or vomiting needs medical attention.
Fetal movement can feel different as pregnancy progresses, but a clear change in your baby’s usual pattern needs prompt attention. Learn what may affect what you feel and when to call.
Build a flexible birth plan by comparing pain relief, birth setting, support, and newborn care—and writing backup preferences for an unpredictable labor.
