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• You feel sore or it looks red in or around your vagina.
•
• You have thick, white discharge that looks similar to cottage cheese. It is usually
odourless. But if it does have a smell, it might be yeasty rather than unpleasant.
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• It feels sore when you have sex
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• You feel a stinging sensation or pain when you wee.

Your midwife or doctor may suggest a lower vaginal swab to confirm the infection and you
may be prescribed an anti fungal pessary or cream such as Canestan

To ease the irritation that thrush causes, try the following:

• When washing the area around your vagina (vulva), use an emollient wash such as
the E45 range from your chemist rather than soap, and wash the area no more than
once a day. Ask your pharmacist if you’re not sure what to use.

• To protect your skin, use an emollient moisturiser on the skin around your vagina
several times a day, and use an emollient in the

• Avoid using products that might irritate your skin, such as perfumed wipes or panty
liners, vaginal deodorants, douches, and perfumed shower gel. Vaginal douching is
likely to make things worse, not better.

• Try probiotics. Eating live yoghurt may help your symptoms to get better alongside
treatment because they help “good” bacteria thrive. Some women use live yoghurt
as an ointment for their vagina, too.

• Wear cotton or silk underwear that’s not too tight-fitting and avoid wearing tights.

• Use lubrication during sex to make it more comfortable and to relieve any
symptoms of pain or tightness.

To avoid spreading thrush, always wipe from front to back after you’ve been to the toilet.

Swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy

It is normal to get some swelling in pregnancy, particularly in your legs, ankles, feet and
fingers. It is often worse at the end of the day, and further into your pregnancy.

Swelling that comes on gradually isn't harmful to you or your baby, but it can be
uncomfortable.
Call your midwife, GP surgery or NHS 111 immediately if you have any of these
symptoms:
• sudden swelling in your face, hands or feet
• a very bad headache

• problems with your vision, such as blurring or flashing lights in your eyes
• severe pain just below your ribs