An untreated yeast infection during pregnancy can lead to unnecessary suffering and potential complications. However, you might be thinking you’ll just wait it out.
Perhaps you’re worried about taking medication during pregnancy. Alternatively, you might feel embarrassed to bring it up. Or maybe you’re simply overwhelmed with pregnancy appointments and adding one more feels impossible.
Let’s talk honestly about what happens when yeast infections go untreated during pregnancy—and why seeking treatment is important for both your comfort and your baby’s wellbeing.
Key Takeaways
- Untreated yeast infections during pregnancy can lead to discomfort, complications, and emotional distress.
- Proper treatment exists and is safe for both mother and baby, preventing longer-term issues.
- Delaying treatment can increase infection severity and complicate labor and delivery.
- Healthcare providers understand concerns and are prepared to help without judgment.
- Promptly addressing symptoms can significantly improve quality of life during pregnancy.
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
What You Need to Know: Key Risks at a Glance
Untreated yeast infections during pregnancy can lead to:
- Prolonged discomfort and reduced quality of life
- Worsening symptoms that become harder to treat
- Potential transmission to your baby during birth (causing treatable oral thrush)
- Increased risk of recurrent infections
- Sleep disruption affecting your overall health
- Possible complications during labor if symptoms are severe
- Emotional distress and reduced pregnancy enjoyment
- Rarely, more serious complications in severe cases
The good news: All of these outcomes are preventable with proper treatment. Pregnancy-safe treatments exist, and your healthcare provider wants to help you feel comfortable.
Why Treatment Matters: Beyond Just Comfort
Yes, you deserve to feel comfortable. That alone is reason enough to seek treatment.
But there are additional reasons why addressing yeast infections during pregnancy matters.
Your Quality of Life
You’re growing a human being. This demanding process is already physically exhausting and emotionally intense.
Furthermore, adding relentless itching, burning, and discharge affects every aspect of your daily life:
Sleep suffers. Pregnancy already disrupts your rest—frequent urination, difficulty getting comfortable, and anxiety about birth all interfere. Additionally, vaginal itching that intensifies at night makes rest nearly impossible.
Consequently, poor sleep affects your immune system, your mood, your energy levels, and your ability to cope with pregnancy challenges.
Intimacy becomes impossible. Many couples navigate changes in their sexual relationship during pregnancy. Unfortunately, a painful, itchy yeast infection can completely shut down physical intimacy.
As a result, this affects your emotional connection with your partner during a time when you need support and closeness.
Daily activities become challenging. Simple tasks feel unbearable when you’re constantly uncomfortable. For instance, sitting at work, walking, or exercising all become difficult. Even grocery shopping can feel impossible.
Your mental health takes a hit. Chronic discomfort is genuinely exhausting. Moreover, it can contribute to anxiety and depression. Subsequently, it makes enjoying your pregnancy and connecting with your growing baby much harder.
You deserve better than this. Treatment exists specifically to prevent this unnecessary suffering.
How Symptoms Progress Without Treatment
Yeast infections rarely resolve on their own during pregnancy. Instead, the hormonal environment that created the infection persists throughout your entire pregnancy.
What typically happens:
Week 1 without treatment: Initially, mild symptoms become moderate. The occasional itch becomes persistent. Consequently, you start noticing discharge changes more frequently.
Week 2 without treatment: Subsequently, moderate symptoms become severe. The itching interferes with sleep. Additionally, you’re changing underwear multiple times daily. Simple activities cause discomfort.
Week 3+ without treatment: At this point, severe symptoms may plateau or continue worsening. The infection becomes more established. Furthermore, treatment might take longer to work. You’re genuinely suffering.
By the time you seek help: Eventually, what might have been easily treated in a few days now requires more intensive treatment. Meanwhile, you’ve endured weeks of unnecessary discomfort.
Increased Treatment Difficulty
The longer a yeast infection persists, the more established it becomes.
Why this matters:
Yeast colonies grow. What started as a manageable overgrowth becomes a more significant infection. More yeast means more symptoms and potentially longer treatment time.
Your tissues become more irritated. Prolonged inflammation damages delicate vaginal tissues. This can make treatment more uncomfortable and healing slower.
Resistance can develop. In some cases, delayed treatment might contribute to antifungal resistance, though this is less common with vaginal yeast infections than other types of infections.
You might need stronger or longer treatment. What could have been a simple three-day treatment might require seven days or more.
Considerations for Your Baby
Let’s address the question you’re probably most worried about: will an untreated yeast infection harm my baby?
Understanding Baby-Related Risks
During pregnancy:
Yeast infections do NOT harm your baby while they’re in the uterus
The infection is external to where your baby is growing
Your baby is protected by the amniotic sac
Yeast infections don’t increase miscarriage risk
They don’t cause birth defects or developmental problems
During birth:
Babies can develop oral thrush if exposed to yeast during vaginal delivery
This happens when the baby passes through the birth canal
Oral thrush is treatable and not dangerous
It causes white patches in the baby’s mouth that can make feeding uncomfortable
Treatment is simple—antifungal drops or gel
After birth:
Thrush in babies typically resolves quickly with treatment
Some babies pass it back to mothers during breastfeeding (causing nipple thrush)
Both mother and baby can be treated simultaneously
Prevention is better than dealing with it postpartum when you’re already adjusting to a newborn
The bottom line: While not an emergency, treating yeast infections before delivery prevents potential complications for your baby and saves you from dealing with thrush treatment
Impact on Labor and Delivery
An active yeast infection during labor isn’t usually a medical emergency, but it can create complications.
Physical Discomfort During Labor
You’re already coping with contractions and the intensity of labor. Adding vaginal inflammation, soreness, and irritation makes everything more uncomfortable.
Cervical checks during labor involve your healthcare provider inserting fingers into your vagina to assess dilation. With an active yeast infection, these checks can be significantly more painful.
Vaginal delivery requires your vaginal tissues to stretch considerably. Inflamed, irritated tissues from a yeast infection are more sensitive and may tear more easily.
Post-delivery stitches (if you need them) heal in an environment that’s already inflamed and irritated, potentially affecting healing time and comfort.
Medical Team Considerations
Your healthcare team needs to know about active infections. A yeast infection might influence:
Which interventions are used – Certain procedures might be modified or delayed if possible
Post-delivery monitoring – They’ll watch for transmission to baby and your healing process
Treatment planning – They’ll ensure you and potentially your baby receive appropriate post-birth treatment
Timing Matters
If you’re close to your due date and develop symptoms, time becomes a factor.
In your final weeks: Contact your healthcare provider promptly. They’ll want to treat the infection before labor begins. There’s usually time for treatment to work, but delays reduce that window.
When labor begins with active infection: Let your healthcare team know immediately. They can still provide care, but prevention is always easier than managing complications.
Why People Delay Treatment: Common Barriers
Understanding why people avoid seeking treatment helps address those concerns directly.
Common Concerns—And the Reality
“I’m worried about taking medication during pregnancy”
Reality: Topical antifungal treatments used for yeast infections have been extensively studied during pregnancy
Most are considered safe, particularly after the first trimester
Your healthcare provider will only recommend treatments with strong safety profiles
The risk of treatment is far lower than the risk of prolonged infection
“I’m embarrassed to talk about vaginal symptoms”
Reality: Your healthcare provider sees this daily
Yeast infections are one of the most common pregnancy complaints
They’re trained professionals who want to help
No judgment exists—only concern for your comfort
“I don’t have time for another appointment”
Reality: Many providers can prescribe treatment after a phone consultation if you’ve had yeast infections before
One appointment now prevents multiple appointments later
Telehealth options often available
The time investment is minimal compared to weeks of discomfort
“I can’t afford treatment”
Reality: Many effective treatments are inexpensive
Generic options cost less than ongoing purchases of comfort supplies
Treating now prevents more expensive complications later
Discuss cost concerns with your provider—they can suggest affordable options
“Maybe it’ll just go away”
Reality: Yeast infections during pregnancy rarely resolve without treatment
The hormonal environment that caused it persists throughout pregnancy
Symptoms almost always worsen, not improve
Waiting means more suffering, not less
Your wellbeing matters. Your comfort matters. Seeking treatment is not weakness—it’s self-care.
Recurrent Infections: The Cycle of Not Treating Properly
Sometimes people treat their yeast infection, feel better briefly, then experience symptoms again. This often happens when treatment isn’t completed fully or underlying issues aren’t addressed.
Incomplete Treatment
The problem: You feel better after a few days and stop treatment early.
What happens: Some yeast remains. It multiplies again. Symptoms return, sometimes worse than before.
The solution: Always complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms disappear. The infection needs to be fully cleared, not just reduced.
Reinfection Factors
Untreated or partially treated infections make you more susceptible to recurrence:
- Your vaginal environment never fully rebalanced
- Remaining yeast colonies repopulate quickly
- Your body never got a chance to restore healthy bacterial balance
- Inflammation never fully resolved
This creates a cycle: Infection → partial treatment → temporary relief → recurrence → repeat.
Breaking this cycle requires proper, complete treatment followed by prevention strategies.
Rare but Serious Complications
In most cases, untreated yeast infections cause discomfort but not serious medical complications. However, in rare situations, complications can occur.
When Infections Become Severe
Very rarely, severe untreated yeast infections can:
- Spread to surrounding tissues beyond the vaginal area
- Contribute to preterm labor risk in extreme cases (though this link isn’t definitively proven)
- Cause significant tissue damage from prolonged inflammation
- Lead to secondary bacterial infections in damaged tissues
Important context: These severe complications are uncommon. They typically occur only when infections are left completely untreated for extended periods.
This isn’t meant to scare you. It’s meant to illustrate that what seems like “just discomfort” can occasionally progress to more concerning issues if ignored indefinitely.
When Underlying Issues Exist
Recurrent or persistent yeast infections sometimes signal other health concerns:
Gestational diabetes: Elevated blood sugar creates an environment where yeast thrives. Untreated yeast infections might be a clue that your blood sugar needs attention.
Immune system concerns: While pregnancy naturally suppresses immune function, recurrent infections might warrant investigation of other factors.
These aren’t complications of the yeast infection itself, but rather indicators that something else needs attention.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
The emotional toll of untreated yeast infections deserves serious consideration.
How Chronic Discomfort Affects You
Constant irritation wears you down. What starts as frustrating becomes genuinely distressing. You’re always aware of the discomfort. Always thinking about it. Always trying to find relief.
Sleep deprivation compounds everything. Poor sleep affects mood, patience, and mental clarity. Everything feels harder when you’re exhausted.
Isolation can develop. You might avoid social situations. Skip antenatal classes. Reduce physical activity. Miss out on pregnancy experiences because you feel too uncomfortable.
Anxiety may increase. Worry about the infection, about your baby, about labor and delivery. Constant physical discomfort feeds anxiety.
Depression risk rises. Chronic pain and discomfort are risk factors for prenatal depression. Your emotional wellbeing matters just as much as your physical health.
You Deserve to Enjoy Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy has its challenges. You don’t need to add preventable suffering to the list.
Treatment allows you to:
- Sleep better
- Engage more fully in daily life
- Maintain intimacy with your partner
- Feel present and connected to your pregnancy
- Approach labor and delivery without additional concerns
- Enjoy these precious months instead of just enduring them
Your comfort and wellbeing are priorities, not luxuries.
Making the Decision to Seek Treatment
If you’re reading this and you’ve been putting off treatment, here’s what I want you to know:
You’re not being overdramatic. Your discomfort is real and valid.
You’re not wasting anyone’s time. Healthcare providers expect and welcome these conversations.
You’re not risking your baby by seeking treatment. You’re protecting both your wellbeing and your baby’s by addressing the infection.
You deserve relief. Suffering unnecessarily doesn’t make you stronger or more dedicated to your baby. It just makes you miserable.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
Right now:
Contact your healthcare provider (midwife, GP, or obstetrician)
Describe your symptoms clearly
Mention how long you’ve had them
Be honest about any concerns or barriers to treatment
At your appointment:
Answer questions honestly about symptom duration and severity
Mention any previous yeast infections
Ask about treatment options and their safety
Discuss prevention strategies for the future
During treatment:
Complete the full course, even when symptoms improve
Follow all instructions carefully
Contact your provider if symptoms worsen or don’t improve
Return for follow-up if recommended
After treatment:
Implement prevention strategies to reduce recurrence risk
Stay alert for symptom return
Contact your provider promptly if symptoms recur
Don’t wait and hope it goes away next time
Moving Forward with Confidence
Understanding the risks of untreated yeast infections isn’t about creating fear. It’s about empowering you to make informed decisions about your care.
The facts are clear:
- Untreated infections cause unnecessary suffering
- They can worsen over time
- They may affect your baby during birth
- They impact your quality of life significantly
- Treatment is safe, effective, and readily available
You now have the information you need. The choice to seek treatment is yours, but I hope this has shown you that treatment is the clear path to comfort, health, and peace of mind.
Your pregnancy journey should be as comfortable and joyful as possible. Treating a yeast infection is part of taking care of yourself so you can take care of your growing baby.
You deserve relief. Your baby deserves a mother who feels good. Your partner deserves your presence and engagement.
Seek the treatment you need. You’re worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s no specific timeline, as every person and infection is different. However, symptoms typically worsen progressively over days and weeks rather than improving. What’s “serious” includes your quality of life—you don’t need to wait for medical complications to justify seeking treatment. If you’re uncomfortable, that’s reason enough. Generally, any yeast infection lasting more than a week without treatment warrants medical attention.
Current research doesn’t show a strong direct link between yeast infections and preterm labor. However, any infection causing significant inflammation theoretically could contribute to complications in extreme cases. More importantly, the discomfort and stress from untreated infections can affect your overall health, which indirectly impacts pregnancy outcomes. This is another reason to seek prompt treatment rather than waiting to see what happens.
No. Yeast infections are external to where your baby develops and don’t affect organ formation or fetal development. Your baby is protected by the amniotic sac and placenta. However, if you still have symptoms, you should seek treatment now rather than continuing to suffer. Your baby hasn’t been harmed, but you deserve relief.
No. Healthcare providers understand that many factors—fear, embarrassment, cost, time constraints—can prevent people from seeking timely care. They’re focused on helping you feel better, not judging when you arrived. They’ll simply want to treat your current infection and support you in preventing future ones. Don’t let worry about their reaction prevent you from getting the help you need.
Home remedies and comfort measures can help manage symptoms but don’t cure yeast infections during pregnancy. The “risks” of medical treatment are extremely low—far lower than the risks of leaving an infection untreated. Prescription treatments for pregnancy yeast infections have extensive safety data. Your healthcare provider will only recommend treatments proven safe for pregnancy. Self-treatment delays proper care and prolongs your suffering.
No. An active yeast infection doesn’t prevent vaginal delivery or require cesarean section. However, your healthcare team will want to monitor your baby for signs of oral thrush after birth and may treat both of you preventatively. They’ll also want to help you feel as comfortable as possible during labor, which is harder with active infection. This is why treating before labor begins is preferable.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about untreated yeast infections during pregnancy from a natural health perspective. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every pregnancy is unique. Always consult your GP, obstetrician, or midwife for personalized guidance about your symptoms and appropriate treatment options. If you experience severe symptoms, unusual discharge, fever, or abdominal pain, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Related Articles:
- How to Treat Vaginal Infection During Pregnancy: Your Options Explained
- First Signs of Pregnancy Yeast Infection: What to Watch For
- Yeast infection During Pregnancy Third Trimester: What’s Different and What to Do
- How to Avoid Yeast Infection During Pregnancy: Prevention Strategies
Estimated reading time: 15 minutes
