Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy
Bacterial Vaginosis, otherwise known as BV, is decently common during pregnancy. About 10-30% of all pregnant individuals will experience BV at some point during their pregnancy. Bacterial Vaginosis occurs when the vaginal microbiome shifts from having a lot of healthy bacteria to more acid-producing bacteria. BV is commonly confused as an STI, but it is not a sexually transmitted infection. There are a few ways to test for BV, including a wet mount or KOH slide, which are two ways they take samples and put them under a microscope, a pH test, because BV often increases the vaginal pH to levels higher than 4.5, and lastly a whiff test because BV usually has a strong fishy smell to it.
Speaking of fishy smell is just one of the most common symptoms. When I tell people that it is a fishy smell, they often ask me if they will notice. Oh, you will see. And if you don’t somehow notice, your partner will be the first to tell you. This odor is typically pretty solid and hard to ignore. Other common side effects include itching and burning and an off-colored vaginal discharge.
Bacterial Vaginosis is more common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes, but some things can put you at a higher risk. Some of these things include having multiple sexual partners or not practicing safe sex, smoking cigarettes, douching or using scented vaginal products, having new sex partners, or being African-American, as Black individuals are twice as likely to develop BV.
Bacterial vaginosis has implications if you get it during pregnancy. There is a higher likelihood of you going into preterm labor and having a premature birth. Because of this, there is also a higher likelihood of your baby being born with a low birth weight or less than five pounds. Miscarriage is more likely for individuals who suffer from BV. Infections like chorioamionitis, or disease of the amniotic fluid or postpartum Endomitirits, and illness in the uterus are also more common. Bacterial Vaginosis can also impact your fertility as it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which in turn hurts conception.
The good news? There are ways to treat BV that are safe for pregnancy. Some more naturally minded ways to treat BV are to take prebiotics and probiotics, use boric acid suppositories, practice good hygiene, wear breathable cotton underwear, eat well, and stay hydrated. You can also try taking an Apple Cider Vinegar bath that helps reset the pH of your vagina. If these are not cutting it, you can try a prescribed antibiotic. It is important to note that 60% of individuals will get BV again even after an antibiotic treatment.
If you are not symptomatic, it is doubtful your care provider will screen you for BV, and good reason. Bacterial Vaginosis is not an infection that usually shows up asymptomatically. Most individuals will quickly know what they are up against. But, like anything in pregnancy, if you think that you might have BV or another type of vaginal infection, talk to your doctor about being screened. You are the professional of your body and this baby. If your gut is telling you something is off, trust it.
