Yeast Infections During Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant and experiencing intense itching, burning, or unusual discharge, you’re not alone. Yeast infections become significantly more common during pregnancy, affecting up to 30% of women in their third trimester. While these infections are usually more of a nuisance than a serious threat, understanding how pregnancy changes your body’s response to yeast can help you get relief safely and know when to contact your healthcare provider.

Why Yeast Infections Are More Common During Pregnancy

Pregnancy transforms your body in ways that create an ideal environment for yeast to thrive. The culprit behind most vaginal yeast infections is Candida, a type of fungus that normally lives in small amounts in the vagina without causing problems. During pregnancy, several factors tip the balance in favor of yeast overgrowth.

Your body produces dramatically higher levels of estrogen and progesterone throughout pregnancy. These hormones increase the amount of glycogen (a type of sugar) stored in the vaginal walls. Yeast feeds on this sugar, giving it extra fuel to multiply. At the same time, pregnancy naturally suppresses certain aspects of your immune system to prevent your body from rejecting the baby. This immunologic shift means your body is less effective at keeping yeast populations in check.

About 20% of pregnant women carry Candida in the vagina without any symptoms, but as pregnancy progresses into the third trimester, that number climbs to approximately 30%. This timing isn’t random. Hormone levels peak in late pregnancy, and the physical changes to the vaginal environment are most pronounced when you’re furthest along.

Recognizing the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection While Pregnant

The hallmark signs of a yeast infection during pregnancy are the same as when you’re not pregnant, but they can feel more intense or persistent.

• Severe itching in and around the vagina is often the first and most bothersome symptom
• Burning sensation during urination or intercourse
• Redness and swelling of the vulva (the external genital area)
• Thick, white vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese and typically doesn’t have a strong odor
• Vaginal soreness or irritation that may worsen over time

The discharge associated with yeast infections is distinctive. Unlike normal pregnancy discharge, which tends to be thin and milky, yeast infection discharge is clumpy and thick. However, it’s important not to self-diagnose, especially during pregnancy. Other infections can produce similar symptoms but require different treatments and may pose greater risks to your pregnancy.

If this is your first time experiencing these symptoms during pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider for an examination. They can confirm whether you have a yeast infection through laboratory testing, which becomes particularly important if your symptoms are severe or if over-the-counter treatments haven’t worked.

Can a Yeast Infection Harm Your Baby?

Here’s some reassuring news: yeast infections themselves typically cause significant discomfort but do not directly threaten your pregnancy or harm your developing baby. Unlike some infections that can cross the placenta or travel upward through the cervix, yeast infections generally stay localized to the vaginal area.

The vast majority of research shows no strong connection between yeast infections and serious pregnancy complications like miscarriage or stillbirth. Your baby is protected inside the amniotic sac and uterus, separated from the vaginal environment where the infection exists.

However, there are a few situations worth understanding. When yeast infections cause extensive inflammation, some studies have noted a possible association with premature rupture of membranes (when your water breaks early) and preterm birth. These connections are rare and not definitively proven as cause-and-effect. Additionally, in very uncommon cases, severe yeast infections have been linked to chorioamnionitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding the baby.

The risk of your newborn developing a yeast infection (neonatal candidiasis) during vaginal delivery is extremely low unless you have a severely compromised immune system. Even when babies do encounter yeast during birth, their healthy immune systems typically handle it without issue.

What this means practically: treat your yeast infection for your own comfort and to prevent those rare complications, but don’t panic that it’s actively harming your baby right now. The bigger concern is making sure what you’re experiencing really is a yeast infection and not something else that could be more serious.

Safe Treatment Options for Yeast Infections During Pregnancy

Treatment during pregnancy requires a different approach than when you’re not pregnant. The CDC is clear on this: only topical antifungal medications applied directly to the affected area are recommended during pregnancy.

Safe over-the-counter options include creams, ointments, or suppositories containing clotrimazole or miconazole. During pregnancy, you’ll need to use these treatments for a full 7 days, even if your symptoms improve earlier. The shorter 1-day or 3-day treatments that work when you’re not pregnant aren’t as effective during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

What to avoid: Oral antifungal medications, particularly fluconazole (commonly sold as Diflucan), are not recommended during pregnancy. Research has linked fluconazole to possible increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects when taken at high doses or for extended periods during pregnancy. While a single low dose might be used in specific circumstances, topical treatments are always the first-line choice for pregnant women.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe topical corticosteroids to help with severe itching and inflammation, but these should only be used under medical supervision. Never use any medication, even over-the-counter creams, without checking with your provider first to ensure it’s safe for your specific situation.

Some women find that their yeast infections keep coming back during pregnancy. If you’re dealing with recurrent infections, your provider needs to know. Repeated infections can signal an underlying issue like gestational diabetes, which raises blood sugar levels and creates an even more favorable environment for yeast.

How to Prevent Yeast Infections While Pregnant

While you can’t completely control the hormonal changes driving yeast overgrowth during pregnancy, you can take practical steps to reduce your risk.

• Choose cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting pants or synthetic fabrics that trap moisture and heat
• Change out of wet clothing immediately after swimming or exercising
• Avoid douching entirely, as it disrupts the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina
• Skip scented products including scented tampons, pads, bubble baths, and feminine hygiene sprays
• Keep your blood sugar stable if you have gestational diabetes or pre-existing diabetes, as high glucose levels fuel yeast growth
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to prevent introducing bacteria from the rectum
• Sleep without underwear or wear loose-fitting cotton nightgowns to allow air circulation

Some women wonder about probiotics or eating yogurt with live cultures to prevent yeast infections. While these won’t hurt, the evidence for their effectiveness during pregnancy is limited. The strategies above, which focus on keeping the vaginal area dry and avoiding irritants, have more consistent support.

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider About Vaginal Symptoms

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing vaginal symptoms during pregnancy. Several situations require medical attention rather than home treatment.

Contact your provider if this is your first yeast infection during pregnancy. What seems like a yeast infection could actually be bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or another infection that needs different treatment. Some of these infections do carry risks for pregnancy complications, so accurate diagnosis matters.

Call if you’ve tried over-the-counter antifungal treatment for 7 days and your symptoms haven’t improved or have gotten worse. Persistent symptoms might mean you’re dealing with a resistant strain of yeast, a different type of infection entirely, or another condition like a skin disorder.

Reach out if you have yeast infections that keep recurring during your pregnancy. Frequent infections can indicate undiagnosed gestational diabetes or another underlying condition that needs management.

Also contact your provider if you experience any of the following alongside vaginal symptoms: fever, abdominal pain, unusual-smelling discharge (especially fishy or foul odors), vaginal bleeding, or symptoms that feel different from previous yeast infections you’ve had. These signs could point to infections that do pose risks during pregnancy and need prompt treatment.

Understanding the Connection Between Pregnancy Hormones and Vaginal Health

The same hormones that sustain your pregnancy and help your baby grow are directly responsible for making yeast infections more likely. Understanding this connection helps explain why something that might have rarely bothered you before pregnancy can become a recurring issue now.

Estrogen levels during pregnancy are 100 times higher than normal, and progesterone increases significantly as well. These hormones change the pH of your vagina, making it less acidic. They also increase cervical mucus production and vaginal secretions. All of these changes are protective for your pregnancy, but they also create the warm, moist, sugar-rich environment where yeast thrives.

Your immune system undergoes calculated shifts during pregnancy. While you’re not truly “immunocompromised,” your body does dial down certain immune responses that might otherwise attack the fetus. This immunologic tolerance extends to the vaginal area, meaning your body is less aggressive about controlling yeast populations than usual.

These aren’t problems with your body or signs that something is wrong. They’re normal, necessary adaptations to pregnancy. The trade-off is that yeast infections become more common and sometimes more stubborn to treat.

Managing Discomfort While Waiting for Treatment to Work

Even with proper treatment, it takes a few days to notice improvement. In the meantime, you can take steps to ease the intense itching and burning:

A cool compress applied to the external area can provide temporary relief. Use a clean, soft cloth dampened with cool water. Avoid ice directly on the skin, which can cause damage.

Loose, breathable clothing reduces friction and allows air circulation. Sleep without underwear when possible, and choose cotton if you do wear it.

Avoid anything that might irritate the area further. This means no scratching (which is difficult but important), no sexual activity until the infection clears, and no products with fragrance or harsh chemicals near the vaginal area.

Some women find that a warm bath with just plain water provides comfort, but skip bubble baths or bath oils. Pat the area dry gently afterward rather than rubbing with a towel.

Stay hydrated and urinate regularly. While urinating might burn if urine touches irritated skin, emptying your bladder prevents urinary tract infections, which can add to your discomfort.

What Happens If You Have a Yeast Infection When You Go Into Labor?

If you still have an active yeast infection when labor begins, it’s not a reason to panic or automatically schedule a cesarean section. Let your healthcare team know, but understand that vaginal delivery is still safe in the vast majority of cases.

The chance of your baby developing oral thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth) or a diaper rash from yeast shortly after birth is possible but manageable. Newborn yeast infections are mild and treatable. Your pediatrician will examine your baby after birth and can prescribe antifungal medication if needed.

If you’re in active labor, there isn’t time to complete a course of antifungal treatment before delivery, and that’s okay. The focus shifts to monitoring both you and the baby. After delivery, you can resume or complete treatment for your own comfort.

In the rare situation where you have a severe, complicated yeast infection along with other risk factors, your obstetric team will make decisions about the safest delivery method. But this scenario is uncommon. Most women with yeast infections during labor deliver vaginally without complications.

The Bottom Line on Yeast Infections During Pregnancy

Yeast infections are frustrating, uncomfortable, and unfortunately common during pregnancy. The hormonal and immune changes your body goes through create conditions where yeast naturally overgrows, and there’s no way to completely prevent this. What you can do is recognize the symptoms, seek appropriate treatment, and understand that while these infections feel miserable, they typically don’t threaten your pregnancy. Topical antifungal treatments are safe and effective when used for the full 7-day course. If symptoms persist, recur frequently, or feel different from typical yeast infections, contact your healthcare provider to ensure you’re getting the right diagnosis and treatment.