QuestionQUESTION: Hello I am 15 weeks pregnant today and I was just diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. I was given the oral tablet of metronidazole 500mg twice daily. My question is now that we caught it and I am being treated will I still be at risk of having the infection spread to the placenta or amniotic fluid? If it has spread that far will this antibiotic treatment help (if it is in the amniotic fluid or placenta)? Since I am being treated will I still be at risk of preterm labor and other complications? Once the treatment is stopped am I in the clear.
Thank you, I am very anxious about my pregnancy as this has been a long road!
ANSWER: Dear Kristi
Calm down. There is no risk for bacterial vaginosis to spread to placenta or amniotic fluid even with no treatment. They are both kept inside what is known as amniotic sac. This sac prevents any organisms to ascend up through your vagina to the fetus, placenta and amnion. It is a protective sac. The only risk would be if this sac ruptures before the onset of labor, a case known as premature rupture of membranes.
I advise you to complete your antibiotic course and keep your regular visits with your obstetrician so that he/she can detect problems as soon as they arise and manage accordingly.
Good luck
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your response. From my understanding Bacterial Vaginosis has been associated with miscarriage and preterm labor. Am I at risk for that even though I am being treated? Also what is the risk statisticaly
Thank you again, like I sad I am an anxious expecting mom
AnswerDear Kristi
There is no risk for preterm labor or miscarriage if you are adequately treated for B. Vaginosis. I am not aware of the exact ststistical rsik.
The most important and commonly associated with preterm labor is urinary tract infection but even with it, adequate treament resolve the whole thing.
