Many are affected by fungus in their abdomen during pregnancy and some are also affected while breastfeeding. Fungus is not dangerous and can be treated with over-the-counter medicines.

Fungal infection during pregnancy

It is estimated that around 75% of all women suffer from a yeast infection at least once in their life. We are talking about Candida, a yeast that can appear in many places on the body, but is especially common in the vagina and the gastrointestinal tract. An infection occurs when an imbalance occurs in the bacterial flora of the vagina, which can cause an abnormal amount of yeast to multiply in the vagina. Pregnant women run approximately 2-10 times the risk of getting a yeast infection (!), which is due to the changed hormone levels involved in pregnancy and the impact of pregnancy on the immune system.

Yeast causes symptoms in the form of reddened mucous membranes, itching and gritty discharge. Yeast infection during pregnancy is usually more difficult to treat and is more likely to return even if you treat the fungus. There are over-the-counter medicines to treat the infection – but you should always talk to your midwife or doctor before treating yourself.

There is no sure way to avoid a yeast infection, but it is wise to avoid excessive vaginal washing, as well as all forms of soap on your genitals. Yeast also dies at 60 degrees, so it can be good to wash underwear at 60 degrees. Fungal infection of this kind is not considered a sexually transmitted disease.

The risk of transmitting a yeast infection to the foetus is very low (less than 1%) and the risk of the baby becoming infected during vaginal delivery is very rare, although many pregnant women (20-30%) show yeast in their vagina at birth.

Fungal infection during breastfeeding

Breastfeeding women can get a yeast infection at the nipples and sometimes also in the milk. This usually occurs after an antibiotic treatment against another infection, or if there has been an ulcer or eczema on your nipples. Symptoms of fungal infection of the skin are redness, itching, burning, pain when breastfeeding and/or scaly areas.

It is not uncommon for your baby to get fungus in their mouth at the same time if you get a fungal infection, which is known as oral thrush. To see the difference between a fungal infection in your child’s mouth, compared to milk residues, you can try scraping off the white bits. If the white coating cannot be scraped off, it is likely oral thrush. If your child shows signs of this, you should contact a children’s health centre.