Natural Pregnancy Project

Pregnancy and Yeast Infection: PROTECTION for You and Your Baby

by Linda Allen

In this discussion, an ex yeast infection sufferer and qualified nutritionist exposes the inner factors that make for yeast infections, the causes behind its occurrence and how to get rid of this medical condition securely and effectively. Prior to discussing the complex links between the likelihood of contracting Candida infections and pregnancy, we’ll take a brief look at the immediate physiological reasons for this medical yeast infection ailment. However the question remains, does pregnancy make a woman’s body even more liable to contract yeast infections? Many women about to give birth are concerned about this. The truth is that Candida infection is twice as likely during pregnancy compared to situations without childbearing.

Candidiasis, or yeast infection, is a fungal infection appearing locally or systemically and impacting above all women in western countries. The most common type of yeast infection is vaginal infection of which the typical symptoms as a burning sensation and itching in the area of the vagina. Additional symptoms include thick, white vaginal discharge looking like cottage cheese and pain during sexual intercourse. Almost three-quarters of women in western countries will suffer one such infection in their lifetime and many of them will have to endure chronic Candida infections.

Candida exists to a greater or lesser degree in the intestinal and genital tracts of most people, but fungal overgrowth can bring on painful and debilitating consequences and also significant health complications. Yeast in this medical context means single-celled fungi. The common name, Candida, applies to the strain of fungi often seen in the human body under normal conditions as well.

Different elements which may be internal, external, lifestyle-related or psychological then directly or indirectly form the context in which Candida multiplication comes about. As with many other medical problems, Candida overgrowth comes about because of group of factors and related interactions.

In pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes changes in stages on hormonal, physiological and psychological levels. These alterations contribute significantly to excessive Candida multiplication and the concomitant symptoms. Pregnancy-induced hormonal changes alter the vaginal environment and make fungi more likely to multiply. In addition, emotional instability experienced by many women during pregnancy and while expecting a child may cause stress that degrades the immune system and opens the door to yeast overgrowth. Pregnant women also often develop cravings for sugar-rich or white flour containing foods. As it is customary to allow or even to encourage pregnant women to yield to their cravings, these sugars and refined carbohydrates contribute further to yeast overgrowth fueled by sugary environments.

Ignoring Candidiasis can lead to systemic infection by yeast, with significant negative effects on a woman’s quality of life and general well being. Since pregnant women are not allowed to use many of the antifungal medications or antibiotic treatments, it is important to find another solution for candidiasis during this moment of childbearing. Finding a remedy for candidiasis in expecting women is crucial, because otherwise infection can pass from the mother to her baby through the birth canal while pregnant or at childbirth, or afterwards via breast-feeding.

Did anyone tell you? All natural holistic methods can be used to cure yeast infections permanently and safely. Pregnant women who want a complete and permanent answer to candidiasis can use holistic methods to free themselves of this problem by taking a selection of specific home remedies to alleviate the symptoms and by following holistic all natural guidelines that go right to the heart of the underlying problem. The holistic approach based on dietary and lifestyle changes while eliminating toxins, can stop all types of yeast infection and also stop their recurrence safely and effectively for pregnant women and the children that they will give birth to.

About the Author:

Linda Allen is a health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book Yeast Infection No More . To Learn More About Pregnancy and Yeast Infection Visit: Pregnancy and Yeast Infection

 [tags]holistic cure for yeast infection, yeast infection and pregnancy, candida symptoms, cure yeast infection[/tags]

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photo credit: wonker

You’d think because herbs are all natural and come from the earth it would be perfectly ok to use them during pregnancy. However, this is not the case ~ well at least not for all herbs. Some herbs can be very helpful during pregnancy and we’ve discussed how some herbs can help induce labor naturally.

I found a well researched article about Using natural herbs during pregnancy. If you are considering using herbs I would definitely take a look at this article first. It will help you decide (with you midwife, naturopath or herbalist) which herbs are safe for use during pregnancy and which you should avoid.

Here’s the article on Using Natural Herbs During Pregnancy. Let me know what you think. If you are interested in using natural herbs during your pregnancy I definitely recommend reading Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year It’s a great book for the person just beginning their journey into herbs, but it also is in depth enough for people who have a good knowledge base in herbs.

[tags]herbs during pregnancy, using herbs while pregnant[/tags]

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By Claude Fullinfaw

The medical world has for decades seen the importance of good nutrition during the various stages of pregnancy that a woman goes through. It has found that pregnancy places huge demands on the body as the unborn baby goes through huge spurts of growth in the first nine months of its development in the womb. Studies have shown that the pregnant mother needs more than adequate amounts of nutrients during this stage and even if the amounts of vitamins and trace elements were missing in lesser dosages it would seriously impact on the baby’s development. Studies have shown that small deficiencies of one nutrient such as omega 3, iron or vitamin B6 may affect the baby’s brain development seriously.

Pregnancy and vitamin supplements:

The major growth burst start in the second and sixth week of conception where we see huge development of the baby’s new organ system and the heart starts to beat at around the 4th week. For this to take place we see a huge growth in the cellular system of the new baby’s body and there is a massive demand for the proper nutrients in the form of vitamins, minerals and trace elements to be at hand to help with the building blocks needed for proper development.

For the cellular growth to take place, the baby’ s cells need adequate amounts of nutrition in the form of vitamins and minerals in the right ratios and balances for optimum growth to take place. During pregnancy and the lactating months following the pregnancy the young mother has huge demands placed on her body by the baby she is caring and her body is depleted of vital nutrients by this so called loving “parasite that has invaded her body.” It is prudent that the young mother to be looks after her nutrition as she is not only responsible for her health but that of the child she is carrying. Most prenatal vitamins for pregnant mothers seem to be inadequate with the amounts of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids they seem to have.

Young mothers-to-be must consult their physicians about what vitamins are safe for them. Unfortunately most physicians do not have a good in-depth knowledge of what is adequate and safe to take on the market. This is not their fault as nutrition does not play a huge part in the medical world. And this is unfortunate as studies are coming out that proves that nutrition is vital for cellular growth of the human body and we just cannot get the right amounts needed from our foods.

The importance of pre-pregnancy vitamins:

Women who are considering getting pregnant should start taking omega 3 fatty acids way before pregnancy to help the future development of the child they will carry to have proper brain development during pregnancy. This is important as the nervous system starts to develop immediately after conception and way before the woman even knows if she is pregnant.

Important vitamins such as omega 3 and folic acid has a positive effect on your health and that of the baby during pregnancy. By taking proper nutrition way before pregnancy you can almost guarantee that your pregnancy will have the proper nutrition for your baby’s growth. It is like you are taking an insurance policy out for your future family. Keep in mind that the brain development takes place well past birth and so you should be taking omega 3 fatty acids during the lactating months to ensure your baby is properly nutrient.

Supplementing with folic acid during pregnancy helps to reduce neural tube defects by 50%. In order to protect the baby from such defects you should consider daily supplementation with folic acid way before the pregnancy.

Too much vitamin A acetate may lead to birth defects. Take a multivitamins that is free from vitamin A but rather has beat-carotene which the body can break down to vitamin A as and when it needs it. It is the safer alternative. Optimal nutrition helps to give you and your baby years of good health and happiness.

Claude Fullinfaw provides more information on health and nutrition for men, women and children. You can benefits from his work at My Healthy Supplement

***** Jackie’s Note *******

I think what she says about doctor’s not knowing much about nutrition and supplements is true. I also think it’s really important to look at your vitamins and see what they have in them. I had a multi vitamin from a “nutritional supplement” company that I was thinking about taking during pregnancy ~ it was NOT touted as a prenatal, but it had like 4 times the amount of vitamin A I should have been taking. I looked at a different bottle of vitamins from a different company that WERE considered prenatal and the vitamin A level was almost as high in those.

I think in this super size society people think the same things about vitamins. You’re really getting your money’s worth if you get 100,000 IUs of something instead of just 10,000 which is actually recommended. Even though I don’t think doctor’s focus is on nutrition and supplementation run your supplement by them just to be sure. My original caregiver was aware of the vitamin A issue and told me not to take the one I was planning on taking.

He offered me samples of different prenatals he had in the office.

Did you take prenatal vitamins? Do you think they are necessary? Do you think a natural pregnancy includes prenatals or just a solid healthy diet? I’d like to hear what you think, leave me a comment or stop by the Natural pregnancy and childbirth forum and let’s talk about it.

[tags]prenatal vitamins, supplementation during pregnancy, pre pregnancy vitamins, folic acid pregnancy, vitamin a during pregnancy[/tags]

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