thrush when pregnant

[seven201]

I have thrush that never ever goes. Just before I got pregnant (took a while) the gp prescribed 3 lots of the 'once' tablets to take each month just after my period finished to see if that would get it out of my system. Typically, I then got pregnant the next month so couldn't use them.

I've been using the cream 2/3 times a day for months and whilst it generally keeps it under control it never goes. I also have the really bad occasional flair up. One gp I saw said I could try using a peasary each day three days in a row to see if that gets rid of it. A different gp hadn't heard of that but did give me a prescription for 3 pessaries after checking with her colleague (the original gp). I'm now worrying that maybe this isn't really safe (doing three in three days) when pregnant, especially as one gp (not young and new) really wasn't sure about it? I'm nearly 13 weeks. Anyone experienced similar and been told it's safe to do.

I do take a probiotic and acidophilus tablets every day but they've really done nothing to help, so I should probably stop wasting my money. I just want to get back to normal and be able to have sex that's not uncomfortable.

[delilabell]

I've currently got thrush and was given the following advice by my midwife and a nurse. Pessaries are fine but you shouldn't use the applicator instead use your finger as their have been rare cases of the applicator pushing it too high.
Have you had swabs taken?
the only thing I was told wasn't safe was the tablet.
It feels like he'll on earth doesn't it?

[lilyb84]

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have had thrush on and off for the whole time - it sucks. I've used pessaries a few times, the last course from my GP was for 6 in a row. It seems to have cleared up for a bit but to be honest I'm not holding my breath and am looking forward to it going away again after I've had the baby! The cream has done bugger all.

I was nervous about using the pessaries but to echo what delilabell said, they're fine as long as you just use your fingers (difficult at this stage of bumpiness!) rather than the applicator.

Hope it clears up for you, it's such a pain

[ayria]

I had a few bouts of thrush during pregnancy and was given a pessary straight away. I was told it's fine, like the others have said, just use your finger and not the applicator. I think I used about 3 pessaries during pregnancy that cleared it up pretty quick but never one after the other for 3 days.

Give one a try, they're fine, and see if it does anything first, it takes a few days to dissolve. When I use them they work really well, only thing I use now. I never use the cream, mainly because I catch it before it gets too sore. The cream alone wont do anything to get rid of it, it's to soothe externally. I'd never had thrush before getting pregnant but I go straight to a pessary and it's gone within a few hours for me.

[seven201]

Thanks everyone. Sorry I wasn't clear, I have used the pessaries before (when pregnant with no applicator) just not on prescription for 3 days in a row. It's just the three days in a row that's been worrying me, but it sounds like I shouldn't worry. Thanks for your advice - I will give it a go but I'm not holding my breath, as I doubt it will properly get rid of it!

I feel for you all too - it's just so bloody annoying!

[ccoleman90]

I've had thrush a few times throughout this pregnancy and haven't ever used creams or tablets, just tried to change my diet a little to improve it. I always use natural yoghurt, both eating a lot of it with fruit for breakfast, applying on any itchy areas, and try to dip a small tampon in and then insert with lots of the yoghurt on. I also make sure I get some Actimel or probiotic drinks, cut down on sugar and it's usually cleared up within 3-4 days.

[ScrambledSmegs]

There's something my GP recommended when I was pregnant and suffering with recurring thrush and UTIs, a probiotic that was supposed to be better for specifically getting to your fanjo. Nope, I have no idea how that works either.



Optibac for women.

It worked, I had the one week packet and it was great, no more thrush or UTIs. I see that they tell you to check with your GP before taking it if you're pregnant, so do make sure.

[Junosmum]

I have thrush like you. Have it almost constantly pre pregnancy and now.

4 things: yes pessary is safe just insert with you finger not the applicator, reduce your refined sugar intake- thrush loves it, No knickers at night and vinegar baths, seriously. Splash neat white vinegar during a flare up and then use half a 'normal' size bottle each bath in place of bubble bath. Salt water rinsed also work well to ease the discomfort, 3 times daily.

Finally, most people don't know but there are two types of thrush. Candida albicans and another yeast. Candida albicans us by far most common and the other is very rare, both look very similar in tests but the second one doesn't respond well to treatment such as canistan. Once baba is born, look in to getting tested for the second type. Warning though, you'll have to really really push for it.

[Junosmum]

And I meant yes it's fine to use the pessary lots- it's basically dehydrated cream!

I also found that when my thyroid medication was increased and my levels came in at the lower levels my thrush episodes reduced massively, so it may be worth getting your thyroid tested, though it isn't one of the recognised symptoms.

[seven201]

Thanks all, this is all really helpful. I've never heard of that probiotic before! I have tried treating it through diet but it never got rid of it. I do think the last flare up might have been due to a sugar fest day - I can't say no to chocolate! You have reminded me to be better on the sugar front though. I use tea tree oil in the bath (heard that's meant to help) but will try the vinegar. I had no idea there were two types. I've had thrush for the last 13 years and it's used to be dormant (for want of a better word) as the nurse would say I had it when I went for routine smears etc. It's only been the last few years that it's been really bad. Trying for a baby with painful thrush is not fun!

Thanks again everyone

[Flingingmelon]

I had thrush my entire pregnancy and TBH I was no stranger beforehand.

My midwife gave me this very effective but depressing bit of help.

Eating lots of sugar and sitting in warm baths feeds the yeast and gives it a nice warm environment to grow in, so try to avoid doing either.

Eating Kitkats and taking the baby weight off by having baths were the only thing that made me happy, so even though she was right and it did help, I elected to get used to being itchy.

You may be a stronger willed person than me OP. Good luck!

At week thirty eight I got to take the good medicine and all was well again.

[seven201]

Chocolate and baths are my absolute two favourite things! No wonder I have it! I don't mind the itching it's when it gets really swollen and painful and when it's really bad it's even bloody - did get it checked and it was definitely thrush. I've just ordered the probiotic so will do that and the pessaries in a two pronged attack along with vinegar and everything else. I remember years ago being advised to give up bread and mushrooms - that has since been proved to not have any affect on thrush whatsoever.

[abcdefg2020]

Hi ladies

Any advice on thrush/yeast infection during pregnancy ?

I had itching just on my pubic area but I've shaven now and changed underwear to something more comfy and not as suffocating and it's stopped but I have a lot of discharge.

Had swabs and urine sent off by the midwife so waiting on results. Any advice on it as I have suffered a few time from it and I'm only 9+3 days!