Mum Who Gave Birth Prematurely At 25 Weeks Urges Women To Learn The Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Mum Who Gave Birth At 25 Weeks Urges Women To Learn Bacterial Vaginosis Symptoms
Ellen Wallwork— The Huffington Post UK
A mum is urging women to learn the symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) after the condition caused her to go into premature labour.
Amanda Butler, 42, from Milton Keynes, went into labour when she was just 25 weeks pregnant.
Her son Callum was born weighing 1lb 9oz and had to undergo a heart operation, a lumbar puncture, laser eye surgery and 10 blood transfusions.
"Callum’s experience was awful, and it was incredibly difficult for my husband and I to have to watch him suffer," says Butler.
"As a new mum, it was heartbreaking not to be able to cuddle my son for weeks after he was born."
Open Image Modal
Callum Butler
Doctors later informed Butler her labour had been brought on prematurely because she had BV.
"I was angry because it was the first I had heard of it," Butler said. "I feel like it could have been totally avoided had I been given the right information.
“Today, Callum is a happy, healthy little boy, but I am definitely one of the lucky ones.
"I don’t want anyone else to have to go through what Callum endured, so I would urge anyone in the early stages of pregnancy who thinks they may have the symptoms of BV to speak to their midwives as soon as possible."
Open Image Modal
Amanda Butler and Callum
BV is a common condition in which the natural balance of bacteria inside the vagina becomes disrupted.
One in three women will get BV at some point in their lifetime according to the sexual health charity FPA.
For the majority of women it won't pose any threat to their health and around half of the women who develop it won't experience any symptoms.
"If you do get symptoms you might notice a change in your usual vaginal discharge," explains Paul Casey, FPA’s Training Manager.
"This may increase, become thin and watery, change to a white/grey colour and develop a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell, especially after sexual intercourse.
"Bacterial vaginosis is not usually associated with soreness, itching or irritation."
Butler had experienced symptoms during her pregnancy.
“I noticed a discharge around about a week before I eventually went into labour, but I didn’t pay it any attention because pregnancy itself can cause that to happen, and it certainly didn’t concern my midwife," she said.
It is not known what causes the condition, but being sexually active, using scented soaps or bubble baths, having an intrauterine device fitted or using a vaginal deodorant can increase your risk.
If you are experiencing symptoms and you are pregnant, you should contact your GP or GUM clinic as a precaution - although it is important to bear in mind discharge can be a normal part of pregnancy and BV causes no problems in the great majority of pregnancies.
"The infection has been found in some women who have had a miscarriage, a premature birth or a low birth weight baby," Casey tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle.
"Bacterial vaginosis can safely be treated when you are pregnant and when you are breastfeeding – this won’t harm the baby, but do tell the doctor or nurse if you are pregnant. This will influence the type of treatment that you are given."
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and may examine your vagina.
In some cases, a small sample of the vaginal discharge will be taken using a plastic loop or swab. It only takes a few seconds and is not usually painful.
If you are diagnosed with BV, Casey says there's no need to be alarmed as the treatment is "simple".
"Treatment involves taking antibiotic tablets, either as a single dose or for up to a week, or a cream or gel for use in the vagina for around one week," he explains.
"These treatments are very effective though it is quite common for bacterial vaginosis to return, and some women get repeated episodes.
"In these cases, women may be given a course of antibiotic gel to use over a number of months and others may be given antibiotic tablets to use at the start and end of their period.
"Some women may also find it helpful to use a lactic acid gel, which can help to restore the pH balance in the vagina."
Amanda is sharing her story as part of a National BV Day campaign from Balance Activ, which aims to raise awareness of the condition.
Foods To Eat And Avoid For Pregnancy
Certain Cheeses (01 of14)
Open Image Modal
Because your body's immune system is not as strong during pregnancy, registered dietitian Lydia Knorr says you should avoid anything raw, unpasteurized or undercooked.Raw or unpasteurized dairy products like brie and Camembert cheeses, should be avoided if you're pregnant. The following seven slides are foods you should consider removing from your diet. (credit:Christian Hacker via Getty Images)
Some Meats And Fish (02 of14)
Open Image Modal
When it comes to meat and fish, avoid raw or undercooked meats, poultry, fish, and seafood like sushi, oysters, mussels, clams and smoked fish, Knorr notes. (credit:Gentl and Hyers via Getty Images)
What About Beans?(03 of14)
Open Image Modal
Most beans and legumes are fine, but avoid raw sprouts like alfalfa, clover, radish and mung beans. (credit:Martin Poole via Getty Images)
Don't Spread It(04 of14)
Open Image Modal
Avoid refrigerated pates or meat spreads, Knorr says, because the organs used to make them are often undercooked. According to the Daily Mail, 90 per cent of common food poisoning cases are caused by chicken pate. (credit:JacquesPALUT via Getty Images)
Avoid raw or lightly cooked egg or egg products, including salad dressings, cookie dough, cake batter, sauces, and drinks like homemade eggnog. (credit:sarahdoow via Getty Images)
Be Aware Of Sushi (07 of14)
Open Image Modal
Of course, any raw type of fish on sushi should be avoided if you are pregnant. "Fish such as fresh/frozen tuna, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and escolar should be avoided during pregnancy as they may contain levels of mercury that if ingested in large amounts could be toxic to the nervous system," Knorr says. If you are craving sushi, go veg! (credit:Jean-Blaise Hall via Getty Images)
What About My Coffee Habit?(08 of14)
Open Image Modal
You can still drink coffee, just make sure you are aware of your consumption. Knorr recommends drinking no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day. A strong cup of joe, for example, can have about 78 to 108 mgs of caffeine. But be aware, caffeine can also be found in other non-coffee beverages like pop and tea. (credit:Cindy Prins via Getty Images)
But What Can I Eat?(09 of14)
Open Image Modal
In the next few slides, Knorr tells us the foods we should be adding to our diets during pregnancy: "Fish such as salmon, tilapia, shrimp, tuna (canned light) and cod are all good sources of protein and omega 3 fatty acids which will help with baby’s developing brain, eyes and nervous system," she says. (credit:rez-art via Getty Images)
Get Nutty! (10 of14)
Open Image Modal
Nuts, seeds and legumes are great for pregnant women — they're packed with protein and fibre which will keep you feeling satiated, and keep things moving on the inside. (credit:PhotoStock-Israel via Getty Images)
A New Love For Fruits And Veggies (11 of14)
Open Image Modal
These foods are loaded with all kinds of vitamins, fibre and water for maintaining good health, during pregnancy and otherwise. "Aim for the colours of the rainbow every day with special focus on leafy greens, bright red and orange fruit, and veggies loaded with powerful antioxidants to help keep your immune system strong," Knorr says. (credit:Maximilian Stock Ltd. via Getty Images)
Not All Dairy Is Scary (12 of14)
Open Image Modal
Drinking a couple of glasses of skim milk each day will provide you and your baby with the calcium and Vitamin D required to develop healthy, strong bones. Greek yogurt, for example, is also an excellent source of these important nutrients, and as a bonus, it’s loaded with protein, Knorr notes. (credit:amisb via Getty Images)
Think Whole Grain (13 of14)
Open Image Modal
"Whole grains food choices like cereal are a great addition to your diet, as they are fortified with important nutrients like iron and B vitamins," Knorr says. Many cereals also pack a lot of fibre into each serving which is paramount to keeping things moving during pregnancy — make sure you read your package labels and stick to "whole grain" vs. "whole wheat." (credit:Zeljko Bozic via Getty Images)
And All That Iron (14 of14)
Open Image Modal
Meat, poultry, legumes and spinach are all good sources of iron. "Just remember when eating a non-animal source of iron such as spinach or legumes, to pair it with a source of vitamin C, like oranges or strawberries for optimal uptake." (credit:Westend61 via Getty Images)