Awful question. Need advice.

[CannotBelieveImAskingThis]

I've name changed for this. You'll see why. But I'm absolutely not a troll. I just really need advice.

I'm pregnant - 18 weeks.

I work in a nursery and it would appear that I have caught threadworm from one of the little darlings.

I've checked the bumps website and taking Ovex is safe past 12 weeks, so I've done that.

But my anus is so uncomfortable. Last night and tonight I've (very gently!) anal douched with the shower. It's helped the discomfort, but now I'm incredibly worried that I could have done harm in this whole process - medication, douching.

Any wise words or advice?

I don't see how it could in any way harm a pregnancy. Check in with midwives in case there is anything stronger than ovex that they could suggest.

The itching and pain is caused by them crawling around the area - shower at night then liberal vaseline around your anus and vaginal opening will prevent that. Also wear pants so you don't scratch in your sleep then re ingest eggs.

I had threadworms when I was pregnant and on holiday, and fell down a google rabbit hole before I went to a local pharmacy

The main things I read were that in a lot of countries where threadworms are common, women get routinely wormed at their 12 week appointment, and that the Ovex tablets work by blocking sugar being released into the gut to feed the worms, and nothing about that process can harm a pregnancy

The main thing is to wash your hands a LOT, change your underwear, bedding etc and wash everything on a hot wash and wait for the egg/worm cycle to by broken and therefore get clear of them

Hope it passes quickly!

Was everything ok after taking the ovex?

@Bozbiza Yep! I'm currently breastfeeding my absolutely perfect 9 week old boy 💙

Congratulations! That’s brilliant to hear! I’m 30 weeks and I’ve caught them off my son! The paranoia and ocd in me was making me so anxious about trying to get rid of them with just hygiene taking up to 6 weeks so I read all the bump info and nhs info and took an ovex too and then was panicking so you’ve reassured me thank you! I hope it clears up quickly! Enjoy your lovely baby 😊