Diagnosed With Bacterial Vaginosis During Pregnancy? How To Alleviate The Discomfort
Posted on: 10 September 2017
If you're pregnant, you need to watch for health conditions that could affect you and your baby. Bacterial vaginosis is one of those medical conditions that you need to be aware of. BV will cause you vaginal itching and discomfort. It can also cause you to develop an unpleasant fishy odor around your genitals. However, BV can be much more harmful to your unborn baby. In fact, it can lead to premature birth. During pregnancy, your doctor will test you for BV. If you're diagnosed with the infection, you'll need to follow your obstetric doctor's orders to clear it up and protect your baby. In addition, you'll also need to take some steps to alleviate the discomfort that you'll be experiencing while you have an active case of BV. Here are four steps you can take to treat the symptoms and prevent a repeat occurrence:
Drink a Glass of Cranberry Juice Each Day
If you don't drink cranberry juice, you need to add it to your daily diet, especially now that you have BV. Cranberry juice contains ingredients that can fight the infection, and calm the symptoms. For maximum benefit, you should drink at least one glass of cranberry juice each day. Be sure to choose natural cranberry juice without sugar, instead of the more popular cranberry juice cocktail. Cranberry juice cocktail contains high concentrations of sugar, which can be harmful to you during pregnancy.
Relax in a Vinegar Bath
If the unpleasant fishy odor is causing you distress, you can get rid of the odor, and keep it away, by soaking in a relaxing vinegar bath. The vinegar will neutralize the odor, and alleviate the itching that often accompanies BV. Fill a tub with lukewarm water and add about 2 cups of apple cider vinegar. Soak in the vinegar solution for about 30 minutes. If climbing into the tub becomes uncomfortable during your last trimester of pregnancy, you can soak wash clothes in the solution, and use it as a compress instead.
Apply Tea Bag Compresses
If you develop BV during pregnancy, you may notice that your external genitalia, including the labia and vulva, may become inflamed. You may also notice some pain and itching. You can reduce the swelling, and relieve the itching, by using frozen tea bag compresses. Soak your tea bags in water for about 15 minutes, and then place them in the freezer until their cooled down. Place the tea bags on your external genitalia, and leave them in place for several minutes. Repeat as often as necessary to relieve the symptoms.
Wear Loose-Fitting Panties
If you normally wear tight-fitting panties or those made from synthetic materials, switch to loose-fitting panties until after your pregnancy. Tight panties and synthetic material can irritate your infection and increase the severity of the symptoms.
If you've been diagnosed with BV during pregnancy, be sure to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your obstetrician. Use the methods described here to keep you comfortable while you recover from the infection.
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