Tests before pregnancy:Bacterial Vaginosis Screen

What is bacterial vaginosis and how is the screening performed?

Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of a normal bacteria in the vagina that causes a vaginal discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is relatively common in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. If you are having preconception testing done, your doctor may do a `wet prep` in the doctor`s office. This is done by placing a sample of vaginal secretions on a slide with saline or potassium hydroxide and looking at it under the microscope for bacteria. A doctor may also order a genital culture to check the vaginal sample for the presence of other types of bacteria that may be causing an infection. Doctors do not order this test routinely on pregnant women, but will order it as needed for those who have symptoms such as a vaginal discharge or itching.

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis may include: vaginal discharge that is not clear in appearance, presence of a specific type of cell when examined microscopically, fishy odor when the discharge is tested with a chemical and a decrease in acidity of the vagina. If the patient has three of these four symptoms, she is diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (bacteria in the vagina). It is usually cured with a seven-day treatment of a prescribed antibiotic. Untreated bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy can result in amniotic fluid infection, premature rupture of the membranes, premature delivery, low birth weight of the baby, and possibly pelvic inflammatory disease in the mother.

For the test, you will lie on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. The doctor will insert an instrument with curved blades (speculum) into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls, allowing the inside of the vagina and the cervix to be examined. Samples of fluid inside the vagina are then collected with a swab or wooden spatula. Many times a whiff test is enough to diagnose this condition.

Comments: Tests before pregnancy - Bacterial-Vaginosis-Screen

Comments 1 to 4 of about 4.

aidensmommy1223 - 135 days ago.
Hey! I am 8 weeks 5 days pregnant! I've suffered from discharge and odour for the last 8 months! I have had 2 tests for bv and both have been negative and my dr recently told me when I was 6 weeks pregnant that the odour could just be me! Like wtf!, I've never had this in my life except now and I shower everyday how do I all of a sudden g an odour! It goes away and comes back a day or a few later....I'm so confused!ni don't want this be something serious and have something happen to my baby!,! I have one partner and we've been together almost 9 years and have a 3 yr old son! Anyone have any advice for me??

little-angel-to-be - 898 days ago.
I had a miscarriage at 10 weeks after my 7 day treatment for bacterial vaginosis. Try eating yogurt regularly I heard it helps a ton to keep it from coming or even (this will sound weird) but inserting a tampon dipped in yogurt inside your vagina. It's a home remedy, but I heard tons of positives. You can google it, but I am definitely increasing my yogurt intake to two to three cups of it a day. Good luck! :))

butterflykisses715 - 1221 days ago.
i have had this infection for my entire pregnancy now...and im starting to become alittle concerned...it goes away with the antibiotics but once they are thro..not even a week later i get it back..im really hoping this does not effect my pregnancy...so far baby has been healthy and u/s have been normal..i am almost 22 weeks now and this infection just wont go away...im not sure what to do..all my doctor can do is keep giving me antibiotics..which is horrible..meaning i have been on antibiotics atleast once amonth so far during the pregnancy...

onesexylady - 1647 days ago.
Hello All, I experienced my first miscarriage at 14 weeks in July 2007 and than my Second miscarriage in December 2007 I had genetic test and everything done after both delivery's my doctor found that there was no problems with me genetically or with the fetus. Well after my second miscarriage my doctor ran another set of test and said that my chances of becoming a mommy are good. She said in my next pregnancy they will have to check me for bacteria vaginosis as she believes this is what caused both miscarriages. So were TTC again and hopefully it will work out this time. We've waited almost a year so that I could heal emotionally.