Yeast infections are more common during pregnancy than any other stage of a women's life; women are at a higher risk for developing cadidiasis during second trimester of pregnancy. In other words vaginal yeast infection and pregnancy go hand in hand. During pregnancy human body goes through several hormonal changes and estrogen levels are very high due to which the vaginal environment becomes very favorable for growth of candida albicans. The increase levels of sugar in secretions of vagina feeds the yeast and as a result yeast thrive and multiply rapidly.
Early symptoms of yeast infections during pregnancy manifest in the form of itching and irritation. This increases with other symptoms like soreness, reddening, burning sensations in vagina, labia and vulva area. This is also followed with a whitish thick discharge which is like cottage-cheese. Women feel severe burning and pain during urination or sexual intercourse.
Though yeast infections of pregnant mothers do not cause any direct harm to baby but it does increases the chances that she may transmit her yeast infection to her baby at the time of labor through birth canal. Most of the time it is transmitted as oral yeast infection called thrush, this develops white scaly patches in infants mouth. However this is not regarded as a serious condition at all and can be treated easily with antifungal drugs.
Diagnosis for pregnancy yeast infection is same as normal yeast infection. Doctor take sample of vaginal discharge and send it for laboratory test which if confirms for candidiasis, treatment for yeast infection is started. Though suppositories, lotions and creams available over the counter are also found to be very effective for treating yeast infection, but women must not try to self medicate themselves, instead they must take opinion of their doctors first.
Probably the most effective medicine for treating vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy is candisil, it is made from natural ingredients and so is free from any side effects. It has to be applied on the affected place for several days till all symptoms of yeast infections are vanished, it also found that candisil is also effective for preventing any near reoccurrence of yeast infection. Once the infection is completely gone and the affected area is clean apllying certain starch free drying powder like Nystatin also helps to prevent any future growth of candidiasis.