Trichomoniasis (also called “trich”) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a parasite. The infection is most common in women. Older women are more likely to be infected than younger women. If left untreated, a trichomoniasis infection can last for several months or years. Its symptoms can make sex unpleasant. But for pregnant women, it can cause serious childbirth complications.

Higher risk of water breaking too early is seen in pregnant women with trichomoniasis . This is also known as premature rupture of the membranes. Pregnant women are also at higher risk of delivering their babies prematurely, or before 37 weeks.

Birth weight of less than 5.5 pounds is seen in babies of mothers with trichomoniasis . In rare cases, female babies can contract the infection as they move through the birth canal. Untimely birth and low birth weight are two of the top three causes of death for babies.

Trichomoniasis During Pregnancy: Symptoms,Causes and Treatment

Symptoms

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70 to 85 percent of people with trichomoniasis don’t experience any symptoms.

In women, trichomoniasis can cause:

• a fishy genital odour
• large amounts of white, gray, or green vaginal discharge
• pain while urinating or having sex
• Itching or burning sensation in the genitals
• Soreness or redness of the genitals
• Burning sensation during urination

Symptoms may come and go and can show up as early as 5 to 28 days after sexual contact. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms during your pregnancy.

Causes

Trichomoniasis is caused by a microscopic parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It passes from person to person during sexual intercourse. The incubation period between exposure and infection is about five to 28 days.

Trichomoniasis is passed along through skin-to-skin contact during sexual acts such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. This concludes that a condom may not protect a person completely since the parasite may be on parts of the skin that are not protected by a condom.

There is also a chance that the infection could be transmitted to the baby during vaginal birth. It is very rare, and the infant will be treated with antibiotics to clear the infection. Other adverse outcomes are possible if the infection is left untreated.

Risk Factors

Some people are more at risk of contracting trichomoniasis than others. Those with the greatest risk of infection include people:

• with multiple sexual partners
• who have had other STDs in the past
• who have had trichomoniasis in the past
• who have sex without condoms

You do not have symptoms but you are infected, you can still pass it on to your sexual partners or your baby at birth. If a trichomoniasis infection is left untreated during pregnancy, it can increase a woman’s chances of a preterm delivery and low birth weight. The above both the factors can affect the baby’s development, overall health, and time spent in the hospital after birth.

Diagnosis

To test for trichomoniasis, a doctor will use a microscope to look for the parasite in a sample. For women, the sample source is vaginal discharge. For men, the sample source is urine. A doctor may then run further tests on the sample to confirm the presence of the parasite. These include a culture test, nucleic acid amplification test, or rapid antigen test.

Pregnant women displaying any symptoms of the infection should see their doctors right away. They’re not usually tested for trichomoniasis, so the infection may go unnoticed and could harm their baby.

Complications

Pregnant women with trichomoniasis are at greater risk of:

• premature labor and delivery
• having a baby with a low birth weight
• transmitting trichomoniasis to a female baby during delivery
• All women with trichomoniasis may be more likely to contract HIV.

Treatment

The treatment for trichomoniasis is a large single dose of antibiotics, typically metronidazole or tinidazole. Common brand names for these are Flagyl or Tindamax. Test is positive if for you and your partner both then , it is suggested that both of you undergo the antibiotic treatment at the same time. This is important if you want to avoid passing it back and forth. Obtain treatment as soon as you learn you have trichomoniasis or notice symptoms of the infection is important, especially during pregnancy. This can reduce any adverse outcomes (mentioned above) that can come from a trichomoniasis infection during pregnancy.

If troublesome symptoms are seen in you and are diagnosed with trich, you’ll be given a course of oral metronidazole, which is generally considered safe for the baby during pregnancy. Your partner should be treated at the same time, whether or not he has symptoms (most men don’t). It is needed to abstain from sexual intercourse until you’ve both finished the treatment and are symptom-free – otherwise, you risk being reinfected. You’ll both need to refrain from drinking alcohol during treatment and for 24 hours following the last dose. (Pregnant women)