Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment in Pregnancy

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of child-bearing age. In fact, about 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women will develop bacterial vaginosis while pregnant. The infection develops when the balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria in the vagina is disrupted. In many cases, developing bacterial vaginosis while pregnant will not cause any problems for your or your baby. However, studies have shown it does increase the risk of experiencing miscarriage, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes and uterine infection after delivery.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are the same for both women who are pregnant and those who are not. About half of women with the infection will not experience any symptoms, but those with symptoms most commonly report a grayish, whitish or yellowish vaginal discharge, typically with a foul or fishy odor, and burning or irritation in the vaginal area, especially while urinating. Because most women who are pregnant experience an increase in vaginal discharge, that alone should not be considered a tell-tale sign of bacterial vaginosis. A foul-smelling discharge is more indicative and should be reported to your doctor.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosing bacterial vaginosis is simple. When a woman visits her gynecologist because of an unusual vaginal discharge, the doctor will likely begin by asking a series of questions to try and determine the cause or if she has a more serious condition. To confirm diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, a sample of the vaginal secretions will need to be tested. The doctor can obtain a sample of the fluids during a pelvic exam, and they will then be examined under a microscope. The presence of a type of cell called a clue cell is the most reliable indicator of bacterial vaginosis.

Treatment

• Treatment of bacterial vaginosis while pregnant is considered especially important because it can increase the chances of experiencing preterm labor and preterm birth. In fact, some doctors now routinely screen for bacterial vaginosis as part of standard prenatal care, although not all doctors perform the test. Pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis are typically given a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection. Oral and topical versions of the antibiotics Clindamycin and Metronidazole are both available, but oral treatment is considered superior for preventing pregnancy complications. A typical course of oral antibiotics is to take it twice daily for seven days, and it's important to take all the prescribed medicine even if your symptoms clear up after a few days.