Is it bad to douche while you are pregnant?

Answer 1

It sounds as if complications from douching during pregnancy are rare, but you should not risk it. I would call my OB/GYN just to put my mind at ease. Also, you might read up on douching...it actually causes more problems than it helps.

Doctors recommend not douching during pregnancy due to the possibility of an air embolism. The pressure of the douche entering the v****a may cause an air embolism. You may wear sanitary napkins (pads) to absorb any of the discharge during pregnancy. http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/1483/...

AND:

Standard douching techniques are NOT recommended during pregnancy (see below for a pregnancy-adapted douching technique if douching becomes a medical need). Douching may lead to dislodging the mucous plug that is located in the cervix, acting as a barrier that seals the uterus away from the v****a and may also lead to membrane rupture. The antibiotics or douche solution may reach the intra-amniotic space and get transferred to the fetus. There is also a rare possibility of an air embolism occurring. It is also associated with an increased likelihood (about twice the chance of non-douching pregnant women) of preterm delivery (giving birth at 20 to 36 weeks) and increases the risk of infection for both the mother and the unborn baby. Douching itself doesn't trigger early delivery, but studies reveal that the douching disturbs the bacterial balance in the v****a, resulting in a mild infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV), that BV IS associated with an increased risk of pre-term delivery. In fact, women who douche at least once a month are 40% more likely to develop BV. In some cases, women who develop BV treat it by douching, which may transport bacteria up into the reproductive tract. http://www.moondragon.org/health/therapy...