Avoiding thrush second time round

[MrsNuckyThompson]

I had horrific thrush with DS who was born by CS. I'm likely to have another CS (and therefore another massive dose of antiobiotics) and am very fearful of having a repeat performance of thrush. It nearly made me give up breastfeeding and is one of the most painful things that's every happened to me - both physically and emotionally! It took around 3-4 weeks to finally get shot of it.

Have been thinking that I can probably take pro-biotics immediately before and after delivery, and will possibly also start using Daktarin gel / cream on my nipples immediately before and after feeding.

Does anyone else who's been through this hell (or not!) have any suggestions on how I might be able to avoid this horrific experience a second time please?

I have thrush with my DD. Unfortunately it is a very common thing and I was told because of the antibiotics you have had it will make it more likely to happen to you. Treatment worked very quickly for us and at least you know what it is so you can look out for it and get treatment as soon as possible.

We found it almost impossible to shift once it took hold which is why I'm so keen to try to avoid it this time round. I think you are right tho that being able to spot signs very early this time might prevent the worst of it (it ended up in my deep tissue / ducts).

I don't know, and I'm not pregnant but thrush ended an already fairly traumatic BF few weeks for me and DS so I would like to know if there is an answer!

Lottie - I definitely DO have some tips on how to get rid of it if it happens again but it took ages and was hell!!! Don't blame you if it was the last nail in the coffin - it's hell. Just don't want to go there this time....

Probiotics before and after birth, and straight onto fluconazole if it strikes. I took loading dose of 300mg then 150 per day for ten days. I'd tried all the creams, citricidal (external and orally) sodium bicarbonate rinsing and walking about topless for a week. Only the pills started to shift it. I think it is very difficult to avoid I'm afraid. I guess if you were mega hardcore you could take preventative fluconazole but you'd struggle to get that prescribed because of marginal risk to infant (which is justified in the case of thrush imo- less so in the case of suspected thrush or to prevent what might not happen.) I do feel your pain. It was THE WORST.