Pregnancy is accompanied not only by pleasant moments, but also by many mandatory tests and studies, one of which is a smear test. With the normal development of pregnancy, there should not be any pathogenic bacteria in the biological material that can negatively affect the body of a woman expecting a baby, and the health of the unborn baby.
However, in some cases, in the analysis of the expectant mother, streptococcus can be detected. Many women get upset and start to sound the alarm. But not every representative of the fair sex knows what these bacteria are, and is it worth worrying if streptococcus was found in a smear during pregnancy.
More about bacteria
Streptococci are widespread pathogens. Bacteria are the causative agent of various diseases of animals and humans. They can live on the skin, mucous membranes, including in pregnant women. If immunity is not weakened, streptococci are not dangerous to humans. However, everyone knows that during pregnancy, a woman’s body is susceptible to many infections, including bacterial infections. During the period of gestation, some types of pathogens can cause serious harm to the mother and the unborn baby. That is why it is very important to immediately begin treatment if streptococcus was detected in a smear during pregnancy. Treatment can be prescribed only by a qualified specialist. But it’s better not to experiment on your own.
Varieties of Streptococci
First of all, it is necessary to understand which pathogens entail serious harm. The microflora of a woman's vagina can normally contain three types of streptococci:
- serological group D (enterococci);
- serological group B;
- green streptococci.
The future mother's body can be harmed by group A streptococcus, which appears as a result of bacterial sepsis, as well as group B bacteria, which can penetrate the body of a newborn baby. The first group of bacteria is the most dangerous.
Infection pathways
Streptococcus is most often found in urine and smear during pregnancy. Bacteria can be transmitted during intimacy without contraception. In addition, infection by pathogens can result from non-observance of common personal hygiene measures. Wearing underwear made primarily from synthetic fabrics can also cause infection. Bacteria can be transmitted through kisses and hugs. It is scientifically proven that every fifth pregnant woman in the body has streptococci. In some women, the development of bacteria can be asymptomatic and not affect the course of life processes.
Streptococcus growth occurs in the cavity of the gastrointestinal tract, nasopharynx and on the mucous membranes of the genitals.
Group A streptococci during the period of bearing a child
This type of bacteria poses the greatest danger to the health of the expectant mother and fetus. Streptococcus group A after contact with the surface of wounds provokes inflammation of the skin with the formation of ulcers. In the internal environment of the body, pathogenic bacteria behave even more aggressively. The focus of infection is most often located in the nasopharynx, vagina.
Group B streptococcus during pregnancy
Bacteria of this group most often accumulate in the nasopharynx, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. Streptococcus group B during pregnancy in a smear is diagnosed in every fifth woman. If measures are not taken in time and the fight against infection is not started, irreversible consequences may occur, up to spontaneous abortion. Treatment is able to normalize the number of streptococci in the smear.
Symptoms of infection
The presence of pathogenic bacteria in the body of a future mother can be recognized by a number of symptoms. That is, it will be possible to suspect something was wrong before streptococcus is detected in the smear during pregnancy.
A woman's body temperature may rise. The thermometer can reach forty degrees. The fair sex feels tired. If the infection affects the nasopharynx, the woman has pain when swallowing, as well as plaque on the glands and inflammation of the lymph nodes on the sides of the neck. The expectant mother feels sudden changes in body temperature. Throws a woman in the heat, then in the cold. The defeat of the nasopharynx by group B streptococci can provoke the occurrence of complications in the form of otitis media, sinusitis and even pneumonia. Heart rate increases significantly.
If streptococcus affects the genitourinary system, symptoms can manifest as acute inflammation of the membranes, as well as infection of the fetus in the womb. After a cesarean section, bacteria can trigger the development of endometritis. Symptoms of the disease are mild. They can easily be confused with signs of a woman's body recovering after delivery.
A newly made mother feels constant weakness and fatigue, discomfort in the lower abdomen.
Diagnostic Methods
The standard procedure involves taking a smear from the vagina. After this, a study of the obtained biological material is carried out in a laboratory. The result can be obtained no earlier than five days later. During this time, it is possible not only to establish the belonging of the bacteria present in the smear to a particular group, but also to determine the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics.
It is very important to observe several important conditions before taking the analysis. It is not recommended to carry out hygiene procedures immediately before taking a smear. Otherwise, a distorted result may be obtained. Doctors strongly recommend emptying the bladder two to three hours before the procedure.
After taking the material, the laboratory assistant sends a test tube with a smear into the vault, in which the mucus from the vagina is within a day. After twenty-four hours, a biomaterial is examined under a microscope for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. Over the next three days, the laboratory assistant observes the growth of microorganisms.
Detect streptococci in a smear in women during pregnancy can also be done through rapid testing. This method is faster. The whole procedure takes no more than half an hour.
The consequences of streptococcal infection for mom
Group A streptococci found in a smear during pregnancy cause various diseases of the respiratory system, such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis. Pathogenic bacteria can cause endometritis and urinary tract infections. In addition, group A streptococci in the postpartum period can cause sepsis.
Group B bacteria, which are known as streptococcus agalactia, can cause many unpleasant diseases, including:
- sepsis;
- meningitis;
- endocarditis;
- inflammation of the membranes, etc.
In addition, pathogens can cause endometritis soon after delivery, and also cause spontaneous miscarriage. The above consequences are extremely rare. Most often, group B streptococci have practically no effect on the course of pregnancy. As a rule, pathogenic bacteria negatively affect the condition of the child.
Implications for the baby
Infection of the fetus with group A streptococci provokes the occurrence of various respiratory diseases in the future. Group B bacteria can provoke pneumonia in a newborn baby.
Treatment
If staphylococci and streptococci are found in a smear during pregnancy in dangerous quantities, it is very important to immediately begin treatment. Analysis of the tests allows you to choose antibacterial drugs to which these or other bacteria are sensitive. As a result, the doctor receives information about what funds are most suitable for a woman to get rid of streptococci.
If the disease proceeds in an acute form and is accompanied by a serious condition, the specialist decides on the introduction of drugs intravenously or drip. In all other cases, oral forms of drugs are used.
Antibacterial therapy is prescribed after the thirty-fifth week of pregnancy. Treatment continues during childbirth and the first time after delivery. A few hours before birth, the doctor performs vaginal debridement, which will prevent infection of the fetus during childbirth.
As a rule, doctors prefer drugs from a number of penicillins. If a woman has intolerance to such drugs, a specialist prescribes macrolides.
Complications of streptococcal infection after childbirth
Some time after delivery, complications of streptococcal infection may occur, which manifest as inflammation of the uterine cavity. Symptoms begin to appear a few days after the birth of the baby. A woman feels discomfort, weakness, deterioration. Bleeding may occur, accompanied by severe pain, purulent discharge and a significant increase in body temperature. Heart rate increases. In such cases, a woman needs immediate hospitalization and close supervision of medical personnel.
Disease prevention
Some precautions can have a protective effect on the body of a pregnant woman and prevent the increase in the number of streptococci. During pregnancy, special attention should be paid to intimate hygiene, since during this period the number of vaginal discharge increases. And this, in turn, significantly increases the risk of the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
In addition, so that the norm of streptococcus in the smear is not exceeded, it is necessary during pregnancy to give preference to underwear made mainly from natural tissues. It is best to choose cotton products with a minimal amount of synthetic additives. In addition, it is very important to choose the right size of underwear. Too tight products will also contribute to discomfort in the genital area and, as a result, the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
During intimacy during pregnancy, contraception is best. To strengthen the immune system during the gestation period, doctors strongly recommend taking various multivitamin complexes. Means of this type will help not only protect the body of the expectant mother from the effects of various viruses and pathogenic bacteria, but also improve the overall well-being of the woman.
Conclusion
Streptococcus is present in the body of all people. The content of microorganisms, not exceeding the permissible norm, does not affect the human condition. The negative effects of streptococci occur only in the case of a weakened immune system, as a result of which a significant growth of pathogenic bacteria is observed. Therefore, streptococci are most often found in a smear in women during pregnancy.
This type of microorganism most often does not affect the condition of the future mother. However, the growth of streptococci puts a significant risk to the unborn baby. Infection of the fetus with bacteria can lead to respiratory problems in the future and increase the risk of pneumonia.
The most accurate diagnostic method is to take a swab from the vagina. The analysis is carried out within five days. With a significant excess of the norm of streptococci in a smear, treatment should be started immediately. Antibiotics are used as therapy. In severe cases, intravenous administration of drugs is required. But most often, oral administration of funds is sufficient. Therapy continues during childbirth and ends a week or two after delivery, after the woman's condition improves, and the number of bacteria returns to normal.