Thrush during pregnancy

[AR23]

hi,

I'm currently 16 weeks pregnanct and I have thrush for the 2nd time in the space of 2 weeks. First time GP prescribed canestan pessary with the cream, and the same this time too. I inserted the pessary with my fingers last time (because some women said that's the recommended way during pregnancy), but it didn't go very far up and felt like it got stuck. It's not waxy so it's hard to just slide up.

After using the pessary, I called the midwife and GP about whether I should have used the applicator or my fingers. I got mixed opinions, midwife said fingers, and GP said applicator was fine to use.

I'm thinking of using the applicator this time so that I can insert it slightly deeper, and hopefully it'll go away. Has anyone used the pessary WITH the applicator during pregnancy (and how far along were you) and had no problems?

Also, how much of the entire applicator length are you supposed to insert, about an inch? The head of the applicator is wide, then the rest of the applicator narrows down, so I guess insert as far as the length of the wide bit of the applicator?

I've inserted a pic of the applicator if it helps to judge

I used the applicator and inserted as high as possible. Did no harm to baby but once did give me some slight spotting (went to triage to be checked & they monitored baby and were not concerned, I explained I did a thrush treatment and they said this is what would have caused it but were not worried).

Also, sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I had constant thrush the whole duration of my pregnancy :( Now 40 weeks and still have it. I was prescribed numerous treatments and all of them only temporarily reduced the symptoms for them the return again 5-7 days later. It’s been pretty miserable and despite my constant moaning to the docs, they said there’s nothing stronger they can prescribe and that unfortunately it’s part & parcel of pregnancy for most women.

Hope yours is different and clears up soon

@readytopop6

Ah yes, my GP did mention that some women just have to live with it during pregnancy :(

Last time I inserted with my fingers and 2 hours later some of it crumbled out....so obviously I didn't do a good job of inserting it up high enough. Hence why I'm leaning strongly towards using the applicator this time.

Another midwife (called 111) said if you think of the size of a penis and how far that goes up, (without causing any damage during pregnancy) then an applicator is fine. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance

In my previous two pregnancies I suffered with thrush terribly, I had it NINE times with DS2. I used my fingers for the pessary and just hoped for the best. You have my every sympathy, it's miserable.

This time I put a thin layer of the cream every night before bed and every morning if I remember and so far no thrush! (27 weeks). If I miss a day or two I do start to feel the symptoms so I think it's keeping it at bay. Maybe worth a try?

They are supposed to give you a course of pessaries rather than 1 dose every so often

The applicator is wide at the top so you can insert the pessary into it - if you're using the applicator pot it in as far as it will go (gently), after you have lain down to go to sleep at night. It might be worth using a little bit of lube if that's more comfortable.

Yep I had 5 times so far (25weeks) the last time they talked of giving me a pessary a day for 7 days however the pharmacist didn't stick the dose so I ended up with the normal pessary and cream, however this tome she did mention not to use applicator which nobody had said before! Personally I would use as rightly people stated a penis goes in with no problems , they have to say these things as precaution, you'd have to be really pushing it up there to do damage , just be careful and do at night to lay flat as long as possible after inserting x