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Pregnancy Complications AdviceTrichomoniasis, or vaginitis, will affect roughly 2 million women each year in the United States. Among those are approximately 8,000 pregnant women. It is important that pregnant women understand that they are not free from the risk of this infection and take the necessary precautions to insure that they remain infection free. Trichomoniasis may not cause symptoms in pregnant women. However, many of the same symptoms are present as are found in non-pregnant women. Women should make themselves aware of these symptoms so they will not confuse them with the side effects of pregnancy. Trichomoniasis is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery in pregnant women. Some researchers believe that the infection itself causes the preterm labor, while others believe it may be a symptom of some greater cause. Either way, it can cause significant problems in the development of a baby if delivery is too early. The infection can also make women more likely to catch other sexually transmitted diseases, if exposed to them. Pregnant women should be especially careful to avoid high-risk situations as certain infections can be passed on to the baby. Most pregnant women will not be tested for trichomoniasis, unless symptoms become extremely difficult to live with. It has not been shown that treating the infection will reduce the risk of preterm delivery, so physicians are hesitant to treat patients who are pregnant, therefore a test is not needed. In the case that a physician deems it necessary to treat the infection, an oral dose of metronidazole is usually considered to be a safe choice of treatment. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, some researchers believe it actually increases the risk of preterm delivery. Some physicians may choose to prescribe clotrimazole instead. |
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