Yeast infection treatment during pregnancy?

[A home for their hearts]

So, I think I have a yeast infection. I've had a lot of itching and soreness down there, however no discharge. I'm thinking it's probably a yeast infection. My next prenatal check up is in 2 weeks so I'm trying to decide if I should wait it out and treat myself at home or call the doctor. I had a yeast infection with my 2nd pregnancy but all I remember is being given a prescription for something that needed to be inserted. Are there any home remedies that are worth trying? What would be safe to use during pregnancy? I really don't want to schedule an appt unless I really have to because we don't have insurance.

[unsinkable]

I'm pretty sure monistat 7 is fine after the first trimester. The problem is if it's not a yeast infection and some other type of infection.

 

I've had yeast infections where the discharge comes a day or 2 after the itching starts.

 

I hope someone else chimes in for you.

[texasmama]

I had a yeast infection the entire second trimester of my fourth pregnancy. Horrible! Didn't go away with prescription treatment. My doc told me to use OTC for seven days and then once a week after that. (The cream you insert) I used it once a week for most of the rest of my pg, and it did not return.

[Harriet Vane]

It's worth a phone call to your dr, but I am fairly certain you can start with some OTC stuff.

 

Another option is to treat with plain, unsweetened yoghurt. You can apply it topically. You can also soak a t@mpon in the yoghurt, then insert.

 

Take acidopholus, internally or applied topically. Also garlic.

 

Consider a no-sugar, no-carb diet. The cravings are horrible at first, but it gets much better. You may need to do this for a month, or even for the duration of the pregnancy.

[Tiffnkids]

Bleh, yeast infections are the pits.

 

If you have had a yeast infection before (sounds like you have), just put in a call to your doc/midwife/nurse and ask what over the counter medication is safe to use. They likely will not make you come in to the office. Yeast infections, unfortunately, are common during pregnancy. Oh also, you can have a yeast infection and not have any noticeable discharge.

 

Yeast infections can be especially difficult to "cure" during pregnancy. I was plagued with them during my pregnancies.

 

Some things that seemed to help: Sleep without undies/pants (A long nightgown works), wear loose clothing/cotton undies, do not use soap to wash, take a probiotic, keep the area dry, no "interaction" with dh until things have cleared up and then still be mindful that you might easily become "re-irritated."

 

Hope you feel better soon!

[MollyAnn]

I am so sorry for you!! I had horrible problems with yeast during my last pregnancy. I seriously considered buying a bottle brush. (tmi?)

Try and stay away from sugar and breads. Take the acidophilus and garlic, there are homeopathic remedies including an internal one called Yeast Away from Boiron.

 

I used one of the standard treatments like Monistat one time. I spent 45min with the showerhead trying to get it out it hurt so bad. (tmi?)

[Cinder]

My ob recommends monistat 7 cream for as many days as you need--as in, you might not need all 7 days to get rid of the infection. I'm one who doesn't get any discharge with yeast infections. If you find you use the 7 days treatment and you're still having issues please have your doc check. I find I usually have great relief by day 2 or 3 but it usually takes me 4 or 5 days to get rid of the infection. But everyone's different--diflucan and the monistat 1 and 3 don't work for me, I need the 7.

 

Hope you feel better soon. Those infections are horrible! :grouphug:

[Lara in Colo]

As a hypoglycemic who used to live off of sugar and carbs, I am familiar with yeast infections.

 

Coconut oil. Eat it in your coffee or just have a spoonful twice a day. Rub some on "downstairs" and you should see a difference in a couple of days. The coconut oil will kill the yeast in your digestive tract (and help reduce any carb cravings if you are trying to reduce those) and the oil on your infected area will soothe and kill the yeast there.

 

Warning: the first couple of days with treatment, you will have some intestinal cramps and some loose bowels--- this is the yeast being killed off (it doesn't go without protesting)

[Mama Geek]

Call your doc and see if he will give you something over the phone. I was several months along and he didn't want me using OTC medicine.

[MommaOfalotta]

I had one about two days after my due date, and I waited until that appointment to say anything because I figured I would need something special, to make it safe for baby. Dr. said he would just call in the prescription, regular treatment (and yes the kind that is inserted. yay.)

 

I googled everything before this though, to make sure I wasn't missing out on an at home, natural treatment. I never found anything.

 

ETA: Something like this your Dr. should be able to just call in for you, so I would call the office.

[Crimson Wife]

There is a home test that can distinguish between a yeast infection and a bacterial infection if the symptoms are ambiguous. It's definitely cheaper than going to see the gynecologist/midwife. Now if it does turn out to be BV or another bacterial infection, you'll need antibiotics and your dr./nurse may require a clinic visit to get the prescription.

[plath]

Inserting plain, unsweetened yogurt before bedtime always cured mine.