[2boyzmama]

So...the second trimester is notorious for bringing about more, ahem, "fun", which also means more, ahem, "side effects"

I am not typically a yeasty person, but pregnancy seems to make me more susceptible to it, I've had maybe 5 total yeast infections in my life, and three have been with pregnancy! Anyone else experience this? What do you do about it? OTC meds? I'm certainly going to try to limit my sugar for a while until this is gone, but anyone else have any "tricks" they use?

 

[octobermoon]

i don't know, i heard yogurt is good. i'm not sure what you do with it though-like where does it go? in mouth or in vagina?

good luck!!!

 

[KayleeZoo]

OTC treatments are the only thing that get rid of my pg-related yeast infections. I usually use Monistat. I get at least 2 of them during each pregnancy- my OB says that the pH of your vagina changes due to the hormone fluctuations and some people are really sensitive to the changes.

Fun, eh?

 

[murphysaangel]

I use AZO yeast pills, supposedly all-natural and more like a pro-biotic. You can take more of it during the infection and then 1 pill daily to prevent them.

 

[StrongFeather]

Once you get it all under control I recommend taking a Probiotic every day. I like Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS

http://www.jarrow.com/product/228/Jarro_Dophilus_EPS

Also yogurt, (to eat!!), and a healthy dose of garlic every day seems to help keep those little buggers in check.

Now for a natural non-chemical remedy:
This many be WAY more than you than you are willing to try, but you can wrap a large clove of garlic in cheesecloth and use like a tampon over night. Might be a bit smelly though...
here is a website that explains..
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/garlic.asp

you might want to check and see if it's ok to do while pregnant..but I don't know why it wouldn't be..better than those chemicals..

Sorry if this grosses any of you out..(like I am doing right now telling DH about it now..)

 

[MichelleAnnette]

I've had 1 maybe 2 yeast infections in my life but not while pregnant. I did however, have thrush (yeast on your breasts in case you don't know) after ds was born. Vinegar and probiotics were the key for that. I would say def take a probiotic to help prevent future infections. I don't know if you could use vinegar "down there" but maybe? Some of the natural thrush remedies might help get rid of vaginal yeast - just google it or search MDC.

 

[2boyzmama]

Hey, I didn't even think of garlic and vinegar...I had thrush a LOT after my first was born (abx during delivery will do that to ya!), and it took months of suffering before I realized what it was and learned about garlic, vinegar, gentian violet, nystatin, etc.

Hmm...I'm suddenly picturing "painting" myself with gentian violet!!! I have some... I've walked around with purple boobs before, would it work on a vaginal yeast infection too??? I think I might just post this elsewhere and see what responses I get!!

 

[KayleeZoo]

2boyzmama, I had several rounds of abx during labor/delivery with both of my girls and never got thrush- that sounds awful!

Hope you get some relief soon! Nothing worse than the "itchies"!

 

[jimblejamble]

I've never had to deal with one (thank goodness...hope I didn't jinx it!

) but I've heard that you can dip a tampon in plain, natural yogurt and wear it for a little while and it's supposed to help.

 

[kismetbaby]

Never had a yeast infection either (fingers crossed), but have heard about the garlic clove in the vag and the yogurt too. I would just wonder if this is ok in pg though? I know we are not supposed to use tampons or douche now. . .so not sure anything should be going in.

I would ask a MW before trying this at home. An OB would probably say no outright, unless you had a very open minded one.

Probiotics are probably your best bet. May not cure it, but will keep another from reoccurring. Make sure to eat plain yogurt though or kefir (I have heard that the sugar outweighs the probiotics), even better make your own yogurt or kefir although who has the time for that! They have a juice now called Good Belly that has probiotics in it (you can get in at Whole Foods). And good, live probiotics as supplements will be in the refridge section and should be kept cold.

 

[acupuncturemomma]

I take probiotics orally, and also use a peeled garlic clove alternating with probiotic capsule (opened) inserted vaginally. Works like a charm!

 

[Julia24]

I am TOTALLY succeptible to yeast infections - I got my first one at TEN! Poor kid, I itched until I bled and the school nurse called and told my Mom! I have probably had at least 50 in the last 21 years - that's probably an underestimate. No lake water, no hot tubs for me.....always brings one on. No soap in the water for my girls baths - always makes them a little red and irritated (even the organic soaps!) We even have to wait until right before they get out to wash their hair, otherwise they get irritated, poor things, they got the shaft genetically since me and both their grandmothers are sensitive as well.

In any case - I'm slightly allergic to the otc stuff they sell (burns terribly and itches even more, if that's possible), and I just got one last week and called my ob and he said it was okay to take the pill one. I'm not big on that stuff, but yeast infections are MISERABLE and as long as it's safe. (it isn't in the first trimester, though), I'm taking it!

Also - I have found I have a DRASTIC decrease in them since I started taking a probiotic. I'm not one for the capsules though, I just drink Kefir every day with my girls. (you don't have to drink much, like 2 to 3 oz daily is enough) Honestly, I swear that Kefir is a miracle drink! We drank it every day for 2 months, and my girls were perfectly healthy all winter, not one cold OR fever. Then, Grace just got sick and it reminded me that maybe we'd gone too long without it. (it's one of those things that builds in your system). Needless to say we're all back to drinking it now

 

[Ednaldine]

Hey there:
I suffered (and I do mean SUFFERED) during the last few weeks of my first trimester. I had three different prescriptions for medication and after researching them I wasn't comfortable taking anything. I did seven days of yogurt (internally) and while it helped the itching for a few minutes, it did nothing to get to the root of the problem. Mine (way TMI) even migrated to the other end and I thought I had a bad case of hemroids as well. Nope, just another yeast infection.

Finally I had a good long talk with my midwife who offered the following advice. She said by the time you are really suffering with a yeast infection the probiotics and yogurt treatments are not going to make much of a dent. It's too out of control at that point. She does not like the pill forms (Diflucan) or the one day treatments during pregnancy because they are too concentrated. She also said why would you put medicine in your mouth when the problem is clearly in your vagina? She suggested a three or seven day treatment even in the first trimester because you have to weigh the dangers of an infection in your vagina vs. medication. She convinced me that a raging infection was at least a slightly greater threat than the medication. I relented and used the medicine and have started probiotics and yogurt (orally) every day since. No more itchy anywhere!

Good luck.

 

[rosedoe]

Yanno I've never had a yeast infection. Just felt like sharing.

 

[Lula's Mom]

If you're yeasty, your DH more than likely is too and you're passing it back and forth. Have him treat too.

 

[Julia24]

yeah -ITA with the PP, in the first tri, they REALLY recommend the 7 day treatment ONLY (as far as OTC medications go) . I have actually found that as far as those creams go, that's the ONLY kind that really knocks it out. 1 day helps initially, but it almost always comes back, yk? But, the diflucan works better than anything else - and while DEFINITELY not safe in the first trimester, since I'm at 21 weeks now, it was okay. (in the risks it discusses "when taken in high dosages IN the first trimester there have been skeletal malformities indicated". Luckily - one 120mg pill ISN'T considered a high dose) (I have to admit when the pharmacist was reading me the risks - I almost handed the pill back to her until she clarified that it was all ONE sentence!

)

 

[sugarpop]

So yeast infections are a part of my life (TMI), pregnant or not...they find me. I hate those nasty creams, the pills are not nasty but how many of the perscriptions do you really want to take.

I have tried everything...finally I tried the probiotic. I take acidopholus every day. normally I take one or two a day...but when I have an infection I double it. No nasty side effects! I have also in one extreme case broken the capsul open (other wise it takes to long to dissolve) and inserted it in "the problem area". I have been told this is all safe. And it goes away and stays away!

Good luck!

 

[Julia24]

That's interesting, Sugarpop - I'll have to keep that in mind! I have noticed a drastic reduction since starting probiotics too, but never 'inserted' it directly. good to know!