Douching during pregnancy: a doctor's prescription, the need for a procedure, home recipes, medications, indications and contraindications

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The course of pregnancy is accompanied by many phenomena and processes. Immunity during this period weakens, and the woman's body experiences a double load. This condition contributes to the emergence and development of various kinds of diseases, the treatment of which differs in some features. Today we will pay attention to douching during pregnancy, is it possible to use it at all, by what means, how to do it at home and much more.

What is douching?

First, let's define what douching is. This is such a medical procedure, which boils down to washing the vaginal cavity with a solution that includes drugs. This is done in order to destroy harmful bacteria, germs, infections. The procedure is indicated not only for the purpose of treatment, but also for prevention. Capable of washing outthe natural environment of the vagina, eliminating lubrication, which leads to the emergence of new diseases. During pregnancy, doctors try not to prescribe this kind of treatment, because it can harm the embryo, especially in the early stages.

Douching for unwanted pregnancy

Douching is done with a wide variety of solutions. Depending on them, certain goals are achieved. Consider two options - douching as a means of preventing pregnancy, or vice versa, increasing the chances of conception.

If a young couple does not need pregnancy at the moment, then means are used that oxidize the vaginal environment. Even in ancient times, priestesses prevented pregnancy by inserting a piece of lemon into the vagina before intercourse. Grape vinegar also helps. We strongly discourage the use of such tools. Douching from an unwanted pregnancy can lead to the loss of a chance not only for conception, but also for a normal sex life. Indeed, without calculating the concentration of the solution, a woman can burn her entire mucous membrane.

Douching for conception

The normal natural environment of the vagina is acidic. Sperms need an alkaline environment in order for them to move and live. In the event that during intercourse a woman is very excited, and a man releases a lot of prodjaculate, the environment in the vagina changes from acidic to alkaline. If during intercourse a woman is not excited, then the environment remains acidic and the chances of conception are significantlyare declining. In this case, douching with a solution of soda will come to the rescue. It helps to change the environment from acidic to alkaline, which means that the chances of pregnancy after douching increase significantly.

Can I douche to terminate a pregnancy?

Some women, instead of going to the doctor in case of an unwanted pregnancy and terminating it, resort to folk remedies. So, one of the methods of interruption is douching during pregnancy using a solution of potassium permanganate. From a theoretical point of view, this is impossible. The fetal egg is located in the uterine cavity, and the vaginal cavity is washed. The solution simply will not reach the embryo, which means it will not terminate the pregnancy. Instead, a number of other problems may arise. If you use not a weak pink solution, but a saturated one, then the vaginal mucosa will be burned and the natural environment will be disturbed.

Summarizing, we emphasize that you should not use folk and home remedies to terminate a pregnancy. It is necessary to consult a doctor and use only proven medical methods.

Harm douching

As a general rule, douching during pregnancy is prohibited, many experts bypass this procedure when it comes to a pregnant woman. In contrast to this point of view, some experts, on the contrary, advocate the procedure and consider it completely safe for the expectant mother and baby. Note why douching is prohibited during pregnancy:

1. In the early stages, there may be a threatmiscarriage. The woman's body has not yet developed all the mechanisms to protect the baby, so the solution can provoke an abortion. In the last weeks of gestation, preterm labor may occur.
2. If douching is done with strong pressure, then air can enter the uterus, which will lead to the death of the embryo.
3. Useful microflora, which performs protective functions, is washed out. The sensitive vaginal mucosa is exposed to harmful and dangerous microbes and infections.
4. Carrying out the procedure at home can lead to mechanical damage to the mucosa.

So can you douche while pregnant? Having considered the harm of the procedure that can be caused to a woman and her child, let's move on to the positive aspects.

Benefits of douching

Some experts clearly prefer douching over other methods of treating various diseases during pregnancy. Consider the positive aspects of the procedure:

1. Unlike drugs, douching solutions do not harm or affect the fetus in any way. In addition, the procedure enhances the effectiveness of vaginal suppositories, which are used to treat various diseases.
2. The passage to the uterus is protected by a mucous plug that forms and thickens during pregnancy. It is this plug that protects the uterine cavity from air and water, which can harm the embryo.
3. Douching during early pregnancy is prescribed in individualcases where it is urgently needed. By appointment of a gynecologist and in compliance with all the rules of the procedure, you can not worry about your he alth and the condition of the baby.

Let's consider the ways of douching that can be prescribed by a doctor to a pregnant woman.

Procedure execution order

As we noted earlier, it is important to perform the procedure correctly in order to avoid negative consequences. Consider the process steps:

1. You need to buy a syringe with a non-sharp tip so as not to cause mechanical damage to the mucosa. It comes with some tools. If not, a pharmacist will help you choose.
2. The bulb and all products used for douching must be processed to exclude the presence of bacteria and germs.
3. For infusion, if it is made at home, only boiled water is used.
4. The position of the woman during the procedure should be as relaxed and comfortable as possible. The pelvic muscles are at rest. You can sit down, lift one leg and put it on a hill or lie down in the bathroom. Preprocess everything.
5. Squeeze the syringe bulb so that air comes out of it. In this position, it is inserted into the vaginal cavity. This will prevent air from entering the uterine cavity.
6. The tip should be inserted gradually, without sudden movements, do not go deep.
7. The infusion is administered carefully, gradually, excluding pressure and sudden release of a large amount of solution.
8. Temperaturesolution should not be higher than 37 degrees. The volume of liquid - no more than 300 ml per procedure.
9. The course of treatment should not exceed 5 days.

Contraindication to douching is the threat of miscarriage, in other cases, treatment can be prescribed. In each individual case, the gynecologist decides separately whether the procedure can be performed or other methods are better.

Early term

Is it possible to douche during pregnancy in the early stages? As we said earlier, the procedure in the first weeks of pregnancy should be carried out as carefully as possible, because at this time the probability of miscarriage is high.

1. In the first trimester of pregnancy, douching by any means (even folk, natural) should be done only in special cases, which are established by the gynecologist.
2. It is advisable to seek help from a doctor or nurse who will clearly explain and help you understand the procedure. Otherwise, you may hurt yourself.
3. It is important to observe the dosage of the decoction, the drug necessary for douching. You must also follow all the recommendations suggested in the sections above.
4. If a pregnant woman is allergic to any drug, component, you should immediately tell the doctor about it.

Chamomile solution

Camomile douching during pregnancy is one of the safest and most effective treatments. An indication for the use of such a solution is thrush. Chamomileit is able to remove inflammatory processes on the skin and in the mucous membrane, which means itching and discomfort go away. In addition to douching solution, chamomile is used in foot baths, tea and oral infusion.

A solution for douching during pregnancy from thrush is prepared as follows. A liter of boiling water and 2 tablespoons of dry chamomile are poured into a saucepan. All this is mixed and put on medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a minimum. The solution is boiled for 5 minutes. With the help of a strainer, the mass is filtered. Cool down to 37 degrees and carry out the procedure.

Soda solution

Regular soda helps pregnant women in the fight against thrush. During the period of bearing a child, it is used quite often. The action of soda is to change the environment of microflora - acidity decreases. This creates unfavorable conditions for the reproduction of microbes and eliminates itching, discomfort. If the gynecologist has prescribed a soda douching procedure during pregnancy, you need to know the following:

1. Pour a glass of boiled water into a container, pour 1 teaspoon of soda into it. Stir well so that the soda dissolves.
2. The solution is kept in the vagina for no more than 30 seconds, otherwise it will harm the microflora.
3. If a woman has isthmic-cervical insufficiency (premature opening of the cervix or softening of the cervix), then douching is prohibited.

Subject to the above recommendations, douching with soda during pregnancy will only benefit,without harming the expectant mother and baby.

Chlorhexidine

The use of folk remedies in the fight against certain diseases is good, but now ready-made medicinal formulations are often used. "Chlorhexidine" is a colorless and odorless liquid that looks like water. When introduced into the vagina, it disinfects the mucous membrane and destroys fungi. The order of procedure is as follows:

1. You must lie down in a comfortable position.
2. Unscrew the cap of the container with the solution.
3. Gently insert the tip of the vial into the vaginal cavity. The peculiarity of "Chlorhexidine" is that douching during pregnancy can be carried out without a douche. The bottle is designed so that it is simply not needed.
4. After introducing the required amount of solution, it is recommended to lie down for 10 minutes.
5. The course of treatment is no more than 10 days, and the appointment must come from a doctor. Self-use is prohibited.

Miramistin

The action of this drug is similar to the previous one. The device of the bottle is identical. "Miramistin" is effective not only in the treatment of infections, wounds, sexually transmitted diseases, but also in the prevention of various kinds of pathologies. The use of the drug during pregnancy is allowed, because its action is very soft and delicate. Absorption of substances into the blood does not occur, so there will be no harm to the child.

The use of the drug during pregnancy is allowed only from 14 weeks. During the procedure, you maya slight burning sensation occurs, which disappears over time. More than 10 ml of the product should not be injected into the cavity at a time. After the introduction, you need to lie down for about 10 minutes. Like any other medicine, this is used only according to the doctor's indications.

Conclusion

Summing up all of the above, we note that douching in early pregnancy and during the last weeks before childbirth should be done only in special cases when the doctor does not see alternative methods of treatment. The procedure should be carried out as carefully and delicately as possible. If there are any allergic reactions, it is necessary to tell the doctor about it, who will make adjustments to the therapy. The use of douching on your own is strictly prohibited, it is necessary to do it only as directed by a gynecologist. If you still have some questions, you can watch the video and clearly see the pros and cons.