Recurrent bacterial vaginosis and preterm labor
I am 31-weeks-pregnant. I recently completed my third treatment with antibiotics to get rid of bacterial vaginosis. My doctor has also started my husband on Flagyl. If this latest dose doesn't resolve the problem, how can I help to prevent possible side effects, such as premature rupture of membranes?
Question:The risk of preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes is higher in women with bacterial vaginosis. Still, while bacterial vaginosis is common, resulting preterm labor or ruptured membranes is not.
You might try douching with yogurt or using tampons dipped in yogurt, but it is important to find one with active live cultures. This can be difficult. Most yogurt germs, by the time they reach the stores, are already dead. There is no convenient home method to determine if your yogurt contains active live cultures. The fresher the yogurt, the better the chance that it still contains active live cultures. Health food stores may have yogurt with active lactobacillus cultures. Keep in mind that there have been reports of products that not only don't have live cultures, but actually contain harmful substances.
The chances are good that even without treatment, you would not have a problem. However, since you are aware of this condition, getting treated makes sense. Also, treating your husband makes sense, as it is recurrent. Even then, it may not stay away, as the hormones of pregnancy may make it harder for the normal germs to grow and help protect against infection.
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