Candidiasis (thrush) is a common condition in pregnancy and can occur after birth as well. It is not a sexually transmitted infection, and can occur and reoccur spontaneously, but is treatable in pregnancy, postpartum, and in your baby.
Thrush in Pregnancy
In pregnancy, thrush commonly occurs in the vagina, due to hormonal changes in the vagina that help prevent ascending bacterial infection (bacterial infections in the vagina that can move up into the uterus). These changes can allow the normally present Candida yeast species to overgrow, causing vaginal thrush.
The symptoms of vaginal thrush are a thick, cottage cheese-like discharge, accompanied by itching and inflammation. You may also have pain on urination or during sex.
When not pregnant, treatment options can include oral pills, but these are not known to be safe in pregnancy, so you will need to use a cream that is inserted into your vagina to treat thrush during pregnancy. Your midwife can prescribe this for you.
Thrush in the Postpartum Period
After baby is born, you may still get vaginal thrush, but it is more common to have problems with nipple thrush in yourself and oral thrush in your baby, or nappy thrush in your baby.
These forms of thrush are also caused by an overgrowth of normal Candida yeast cells that are found on your body. Nipple thrush and oral thrush in baby tend to happen together.
Oral thrush usually appears as white or red patches in baby’s mouth, usually about a week to ten days after birth. If you suspect your baby has oral thrush, ask your midwife for advice. Your midwife can prescribe treatment if it is indicated, and will often treat your nipples at the same time to prevent reinfection.
Nappy thrush in babies presents as a painful red rash, sometimes with whitish areas. It can be treated with prescription ointment that our midwife can prescribe.