Thrush

What It Feels Like 

Thrush is a yeast infection in which you'll have a thick white, cottage cheese-like discharge from your vagina. You'll also typically experience dryness and intense itching near your vagina, vulva, perineum and possibly your anus. Another possible symptom of thrush is pain when passing urine. 

This yeast infection can happen at any time during your pregnancy. 

Why do you get thrush? 

Thrush is caused by forms of a fungus called Candida albicans, which can always be found in our bowel. If the yeast grows uncontrolled by other bacteria, then infection happens. Women typically experience yeast infections after taking a course of antibiotics that kills off the good bacteria along with the bad. 

Thrush is more common during pregnancy because of the increased vaginal blood flow, which causes a leakage of sugar into body fluids. Excessive sugar aggravates the condition. 

How to Alleviate and Prevent Thrush

• Don't wear tight pants or pantyhose.
• Wear clothes and underwear made of cotton, rather than synthetic materials.
• Talk to your doctor about vaginal suppositories to insert at night. 
• Talk to your doctor about a prescription for a cream to rub into the skin to stop the itching.