BV (bacterial vaginosis)

[leila1213]

Yuck! What a nasty issue to have to deal with during pregnancy. I'm pretty sure I've had it since the beginning. But I didn't realize it until a few months in (due to odor), and thought it went away shortly after that. The OB's office confirmed it about 2 weeks ago, and I've been trying natural remedies since then. I think it has improved, but won't be able to get a confirmation for several more weeks. Anyone else dealing with this issue?

[Fujiko]

I don't know if it's BV, per say, but my flora down there is really whacked out this time around. Stronger smelling and more discharge, although it still smells normal and looks normal, just way more. Then a bit of itching like a yeast infection but not as bad. My midwife recommended a whole, uncrushed but peeled garlic clove left in overnight. Haven't tried it yet but I will if my symptoms flare up again.

[leila1213]

The garlic is one of the remedies I'm using. Another is hydrogen peroxide douching, which my midwife wasn't sure is safe during pregnancy. But I just checked my source again, http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/bacvgnss.html and the way it is written (by a midwife recommending treatment if you are pregnant due to risk of preterm labor), suggests to me that it is fine during pregnancy. After doing the garlic and h202 for 4 or 5 days, I started inserting probiotic capsules to replenish the good flora. All the while, I have also been taking extra probiotics orally, along with additional folic acid and vit C.

So, I hope all of this helps and I get a negative result next time! Unfortunately, my midwife says she has seen a lot of this in her clients lately, and going into labor at 36 or 37 weeks is pretty common with it.

[leila1213]

Oh, and BTW, increased and yellowish discharge is what makes me think I've actually had this since the beginning of the pregnancy.

[Satori]

Douching with a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide/water once a day for 3-5 days will totally kill it. To help kill the smell and itch quickly mix some up and rise the entire area with a quick squirt every time you use the bathroom until treatment is finished. It should totally kill the smell within 24 hours.

[Carley]

I had it & long story short I ended up taking the oral antibiotics. I researched the topical vs. oral treatments & topical was hardly effective in either treatment or preventing reinfection. If I weren't pregnant I would have probably taken my time with it, but considering the implications of BV and pregnancy I chose to take the most effective means of treatment.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Carley

I had it & long story short I ended up taking the oral antibiotics. I researched the topical vs. oral treatments & topical was hardly effective in either treatment or preventing reinfection. If I weren't pregnant I would have probably taken my time with it, but considering the implications of BV and pregnancy I chose to take the most effective means of treatment.

Actually the abx only have like a 70% cure rate (I was one of the 30% is why I looked at other options), the peroxide has a 98% cure rate and over 90% were still free of it 3 months later based on the studies I've read.

[Carley]

Interesting, the research I did pointed towards oral antibiotics having upwards of a 92% cure rate with a low incidence of relapse

e.g. http://www.cks.nhs.uk/bacterial_vaginosis/evidence#

This study says: "The results clearly show that the use of hydrogen peroxide in vagina can eliminate the main symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, and in particular the malodorous leucoxanthorrhea in 89% of cases at 3 months after the end of treatment, a result that is comparable to that obtained using metronidazole or clindamycin as a vaginal cream."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14676737

I'm interested to see the studies in which you found your cure rates!

[leila1213]

Yeah, I think even if the holistic remedies had a much lower cure rate, (for me) it still wouldn't hurt to try. And taking systemic abx is the last thing I would do during pregnancy. I believe too strongly in the importance of good (and balanced) flora, and hate the idea of allowing antibiotic-resistant strains to thrive.

[aramat]

Originally Posted by leila1213

The garlic is one of the remedies I'm using. Another is hydrogen peroxide douching, which my midwife wasn't sure is safe during pregnancy. But I just checked my source again, http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/bacvgnss.html and the way it is written (by a midwife recommending treatment if you are pregnant due to risk of preterm labor), suggests to me that it is fine during pregnancy. After doing the garlic and h202 for 4 or 5 days, I started inserting probiotic capsules to replenish the good flora. All the while, I have also been taking extra probiotics orally, along with additional folic acid and vit C.

You already have the link I was going to give!
I've been doing the hydrogen peroxide for quite some time for my yeast issues, and I haven't come across anything in my reading yet indicating it would not be safe for pregnancy, as it is a substance that the body produces naturally.

The protocols for yeast and BV seem pretty similar...

I'm swishing a little hydrogen peroxide around every so often during the day (Am just applying with my fingers as over time I found this was just the easiest for me and still effective; I can still usually reach even behind my cervix, so this works for me.). Diluting the H202 seems only necessary if it burns; as the tissues heal, they are reportedly not as sensitive. I'm not diluting anymore, but definitely had to in the beginning.

I'm also trying to make myself eat a lot of raw garlic (at least once a day, but trying for more like 3 times a day). I do this any time I have an infection, including mastitis while nursing. Garlic is awesome!

Doing the vitamin C, too. And lots of water. And trying to stay away from sugar as that weakens the immune system. Basically the same stuff I do for a cold. My midwife also said echinacea is safe, so I drink echinacea tea when I remember.

[leila1213]

OMG ditto everything you said, Tamara!

Glad to hear h202 is good for yeast, as DD has that going on right now too.

And that it is safe for pregnancy. The fact that the body (good bacteria actually, IIRC) produces it by itself was one rationale that made me feel comfortable using it.

I also swear by raw garlic for plugged ducts...haven't had it turn into mastitis yet, and all my friends who have tried it recovered right away!

And the sugar (all refined carbs, really)! I know that's a problem for us. It's so hard! Now that the nausea/ms is over though, I don't really have any excuses anymore. Trying to hit the trail mix rather than splurge on a brownie or cookie.

[leila1213]

Should I rename this 'the vaginal flora thread'?

[aramat]

Originally Posted by leila1213

Glad to hear h202 is good for yeast, as DD has that going on right now too.

Oh, dude! I keep a little spray bottle of 50/50 hydrogen peroxide/filtered water handy to use on diaper rashes. Sometimes I add in a drop of tea tree oil, a few drops of calendula tincture, and/or a few drops of goldenseal. Works beautifully. And don't forget to air-dry!

[Gracerenee]

I am curious... do you just eat the plain garlic, swallow it, or mix it with something to eat it??

[leila1213]

Originally Posted by Gracerenee

I am curious... do you just eat the plain garlic, swallow it, or mix it with something to eat it??

I cut it up in pill size pieces and swallow it with a drink.

[aramat]

Originally Posted by leila1213

I cut it up in pill size pieces and swallow it with a drink.

Yep, that's what I usually do, as well. But I haaate swallowing things whole, so I usually let myself have a piece of chocolate afterward... Or a few hours before...

I also chop up a clove and add it to salad, or put it on a baked potato (this is not awesome, but it works, and the garlic is still "raw enough" if I add it after the potato has been cooked), or hide it inside a sandwich, or mix it with olive oil and Italian spices to dip a good bread into.

Are there any health benefits to just talking about garlic? Can I go buy a pint of Haagen Daas now?

[dillonandmarasmom]

Originally Posted by Fujiko

I don't know if it's BV, per say, but my flora down there is really whacked out this time around. Stronger smelling and more discharge, although it still smells normal and looks normal, just way more. Then a bit of itching like a yeast infection but not as bad. My midwife recommended a whole, uncrushed but peeled garlic clove left in overnight. Haven't tried it yet but I will if my symptoms flare up again.

This is me, too. It is on and off in terms of discomfort/itching, but the discharge is icky.

[chai]

How do you know when it qualifies as vaginosis? I don't have any excessive discharge or any itching, but do notice that "fishy smell" from time to time. I've read the fishy smell is bacteria, but how do you know when it becomes an infection?

[lulu_n2]

I use raw garlic for my "cure-all" when feeling sickly... I like to crush it into noodle soup, a stir fry, or make fried potates, add two diced cloves to my bowl, and cover the whole bit in ketchup (this is my favorite)

[aramat]

Originally Posted by chai

How do you know when it qualifies as vaginosis? I don't have any excessive discharge or any itching, but do notice that "fishy smell" from time to time. I've read the fishy smell is bacteria, but how do you know when it becomes an infection?

I haven't looked it up, but I'm thinking the only way to really know is for your doc to test the discharge. (?)