Although eating well takes precedence during this rite of passage, pregnancy is no picnic.  With all of the hormones and physical changes that are necessary to keep up with the steady pace of the fetus’ growth, a woman’s body is in a constant state of flux.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to ward away discomfort during those fragile months; the challenge during pregnancy is to eat a balanced diet and keep the stress level to a minimum. A simple culprit or two can generate some disharmony within your system, i.e. ingesting excess sugar or too many sleepless nights.

Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a normal fungus called Candida; men and women carry yeast in their digestive tracts, but one-third of women carry it in their vaginas.   Some women know that they are susceptible to yeast infections, pregnant or not.  About 75 percent of women have a yeast infection at least once during their lives, and almost half of women have more two or more over the course of their lives.

If your body is giving off any of the following signals, you may have a yeast infection:
* Itching and burning in and around the vaginal area
* Painful Intercourse
* White or creamy discharge that has a curd-like appearance.

If these symptoms sound familiar, don’t be alarmed: though yeast infections are annoying and painful, having one should not harm you or your baby.   It’s a fact that yeast infections occur more frequently in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women.  During pregnancy, women become more prone to yeast problems, which is partially due to the increased estrogen circulating in a pregnant woman’s body.

Due to your delicate state, don’t just rush out to your local pharmacy for a solution!   First consult with your doctor or midwife; they will examine your vaginal secretions or discharge under a microscope to give you a proper diagnosis.  This is especially important because some medications are not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Meanwhile, you can get relief from your symptoms by soaking in a cool tub or by placing ice packs on your perineum.  You may also want to consider treating this common affliction with a natural remedy (reference a holistic medical journal for your best option) rather than seeking out conventional medicine.

However, if your symptoms prevail despite your efforts to eradicate the infection, there’s no sense in suffering one iota while waiting for your bundle of joy to arrive.  Take advantage of the anti-fungal ointment your medical practitioner recommends and before too long, you’ll have one less worry on your mind.

To prevent a recurring infection once it’s cured, here are some tips:
*Wear cotton underwear instead of synthetics, and sleep without underwear to allow your genitals to air dry.
* Strive for a comfortable fit, instead of tight or constricting clothing.
* Don’t use douches or scented hygiene products, like bubble bath, sprays, pads and tampons.
* Change out of wet swimsuits and exercise clothes as soon as possible.