Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy
Bacterial vaginosis can also occur during pregnancy. In this case, treatment is particularly important because there is a clear link between bacterial vaginosis and the occurrence of premature birth. The risk of miscarriage is also increased.
Especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, the risk of premature birth is increased by bacterial vaginosis. It probably leads to premature labour and a premature rupture of the bladder due to various mechanisms. One possible cause is the increased formation of so-called prostaglandins, which are produced in the course of inflammatory reactions.
As a further complication, bacterial vaginosis can lead to amniotic infection syndrome. This is an infection of the amniotic fluid, which can lead to a life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, amniotic infection syndrome can cause blood poisoning in the mother and is therefore a very serious complication of bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy.
However, bacterial vaginosis can have serious consequences not only during but also after pregnancy. Especially after an imperial or perineal incision it can lead to infections and wound healing disorders of the uterus. Bacterial vaginosis is therefore also treated if it does not cause any symptoms.
As soon as a germ is detected in the course of the preventive examinations, it is treated with antibiotics. The therapy is carried out in the first trimester of pregnancy with a vaginal cream containing clindamycin. In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as outside of pregnancy, the therapy is treated with metronidazole and clindamycin in tablet form. If preterm birth is imminent, high-dose antibiotics, namely metronidazole and erythromicin, are used for treatment.
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