While yeast infections can occur at any time, they are particularly common during pregnancy. While they do not pose any serious risks to you or your baby, they can be very unpleasant and difficult to get under control. The risk factors for developing a yeast infection are the same for pregnant women as they are for women who are not pregnant but the changes that pregnancy causes in a woman’s body can both promote the growth of the infection and complicate the treatment of it.

What Causes Yeast infections
Yeast infections are the result of the overpopulation of a particular area of your body by the Candida bacteria. This is a type of bacteria that is normally present on your body (and on the bodies of just about every one you know). Usually the bacteria remain on the surface of your skin and cause no symptoms. But Candida, just like any other bacteria, is always looking for a bigger and better food supply.

Essentially Candida bacteria will feed off of the nutrients found in your blood and body tissues. However, they will not have access to these sources of nutrients unless they can find an area of skin that is thin and easily penetrated. Candida also prospers in warm, moist areas which makes it easy to see why the vaginal area is so prone to developing the infections.

The Pregnancy Factor
Pregnancy causes quite a few changes in your body chemistry and hormone levels. Particularly in the second trimester, these changes can make vaginal conditions even more hospitable to the Candida bacteria. For instance, an increase in the levels of sugar in your vaginal secretions, and an increase in those secretions in general, can create the kind of nutrient rich, moist and warm environment that is perfect for Candida bacteria to thrive.

Expert Advice
If you develop the symptoms of a yeast infection in pregnancy, you should go see your doctor immediately. These infections can be particularly difficult to treat and your doctor will know best how to go about it. They will also be able to confirm that you do in fact have this kind of problem and not another type of infection with a similar set of symptoms.

Preventative Measures
While you will have to use some form of treatment to get rid of your yeast infection, there are some other things you can do to help lessen the possibility of a recurrence. One common and effective way of preventing yeast infections is by shifting your diet away from processed or highly refined foods. These types of foods contain chemicals that Candida bacteria love, and the presence of these chemicals in your body can make developing this kind of problem more likely.

While you should always discuss changes in your diet with your doctor, cutting back on these types of foods can go a long way towards lessening your chances of developing a yeast infection. Also, staying away from foods with a high glycemic index is a good way to cut back on the nutrient supply for the Candida bacteria. Maintaining a strict regime of personal hygiene is very important as well.

While you can’t always eliminate the possibility that you will develop a yeast infection during your pregnancy, you can and should make sure you address the condition immediately and follow whatever treatments your doctor prescribes.