ExpatSingapore - yeast and preganacy

Yeast infections in themselves are unlikely to harm the baby as such, but the baby is likely to be "colonised" by the yeast during the birth process. Not a problem really unless the baby is low birth weight or premature. Sounds gross, but the thing to remember with yeast is that the organism that causes it (Candida) is present in our bodies all the time - it's just that sometimes it can get a bit out of control, and pregnancy is one of those times. The other thing to remember about yeast is that it's systemic - it's in your whole body, not just the vagina itself. That's why looking at things like your diet can be helpful instead of only treating the symptoms locally with creams etc. Tons of stuff on the internet about treating candida but the main things to avoid are too much sugar and yeasty foods - that includes things like cakes and pastries but also fruit, fruit juice, white bread, that kind of thing. Mushrooms can also be a problem if you are especially sensitive. Treating the symptoms with live yogurt (nice and cool, too) or a clove or garlic wrapped in muslin and pushed inside the vagina then left overnight, can also help. In fact, it's a good idea to eat as much garlic as you enjoy since garlic is a powerful anti-fungal agent. Other advice includes things like wearing cotton knickers (or no knickers at all !) and letting lots of air get to that area, also avoiding bubble baths which can upset the PH balance in the vagina. Also don't forget if you are lucky enough to still be having sex, your partner might need to be treated for a yeast infection too as you can pass it back and forth between the two of you. Good luck, it's an uncomfortable thing, but usually gets better once the baby is born.