Thrush in pregnancy

[NorkilyChallenged]

Gah.

It's getting very uncomfy (day 2 of symptoms). I've read everything about thrush in pregnancy, I know they're reluctant to prescribe anything in the first tri and I'm just 13 weeks.

I get thrush once or twice a year, usually deal with it quite happily with the oral tablet. I hate pessaries and am so sore just now I doubt I could insert one Any other options? Or do I need to see the gp?

I had thrush once in my first pregnancy and was obsessed cautious about using medicines at all. I managed to get through it but can't remember how - any tips?

I've bought that active bacteria yoghurt (to eat and to apply, errr... that's probably put you off your dinners). Anything else? I do have some canesten cream (the stuff you apply externally) which is okay in pregnancy but probably won't shift the thrush.

[sam26oscar]

i was going to suggest the yoghurt too!! Maybe the cream will just relieve the soreness for now until you see a g.p?? Hope it doesn't drive you mad with the itching and soreness!

[MissCKitty]

Olive oil is quite soothing. Have used it myself in the past and a bath with a little bit of salt in will help it heal. Am diabetic and suffer quite frequently x

[mejon]

My GP prescribed me some Canesten HC cream and it did clear up after a few days. He said to put a little bit 'inside' too and it did seem to help. There's no way I could have persevered and waited for it to clear by itself - I have never itched so much!

[MrsMogwai]

I had an awful case of Thrush early in my pregnancy. I used a pessary and it did help (not as quick as the tablet though). If the cream relieves the soreness a bit, might be worth trying a pessary again. No less uncomfortable than putting in a tampon.

[ghoulishglendawhingesagain]

The oral tablet isn't usually given in pregnancy, the pessary is usually recommended instead and to be inserted without the applicator.

The pharmacist will usually refuse to sell you thrush treatment OTC if they know you are pregnant. And if you get the GP to prescribe something it would be free

[angels1]

I had thrush at 6 weeks pg and was prescribed the pessary and cream (canestan). It went away but now, at 25 weeks I've had thrush on and off pretty continually since about week 14 ish - must have take about 6 pessaries from GP now! Using cream every day and seems to be taking the worst off. Have been told it's safe in pg, so don't worry about that.

[NorkilyChallenged]

Thanks all.

Tried the external cream last night and that did ease the itchiness/soreness quite a bit.

Might try to see GP this week if no improvement

[bessie26]

I got the cream & pessary combo pack from midwife, used the cream until I got results of swab back & it did reduce redness & itching. Did pessary a few days ago (wear panty liner the following day!) & it wasn't uncomfortable to insert.
They told me to go back if it hadn't cleared up within a week, but as the cream has got rid of symptoms, I don't know how I will know? (other than DH telling me!)

[NorkilyChallenged]

I can't really even do tampons

[angels1]

norkily my GP prescribes a pessary called 'gyno-pevaryl' as she says it's easier to insert than canestan so better for pg ladies as you shouldn't use an applicator (or use it very carefully) - maybe you'd find this easier for you. Whereas canastan pessary is like a rock hard pill, this is a bit like wax in texture and is much softer/melts quickly in the warm body and just glides in (sorry, tmi, not a nice thought I know) - far easier than inserting a tampon or cansetan though.

[japhrimel]

If you want to try probiotics, don't bother with actimel and the like - get a decent capsule or powder supplement from a health food store and use natural yoghurt to apply. Actimel and the like contain restricted amounts/forms of probiotics and also contain artificial sweeneteners and sugars.

Canestan will help, and the pessary is better than the cream. The oral capsule is a completely different drug that isn't used in pregnancy.

Also, the basics - cotton pants, avoid tight clothes, avoid hot baths, don't use much shower gel - are even more important in pregnancy.

[samarcanda]

ok, sadly I'm an expert on thursh !!! i also used the tablet once a year but since i'm pregnant it came back twice, however both times I defeated it and now at 22 weeks I'm thursh free !!

I bought some strong probiotics, the stuff you get at the supermarket is not enough, you need strong strains of acidophulous specially. Take that 3 times per day before every meal.

Then i bough tea tree oil and i drop a little on my [rigourously white cotton] knickers - any other material is gonna help thrush to grow...
tea tree is a natural anti fugicide

i wash often with either plain yogurt or an appropriate soap, not too harsh though

if it's really bad I also buy grapeseed oil and dilute 10 drops in a liter of water and drink it throughout the day..

good luck xx

[bessie26]

wow sam Many thanks for your info - I have saved a copy of your post incase I need it later on!

[NorkilyChallenged]

Oh thanks Sam, only just saw your reply and that's really helpful.