Bacterial vaginosis, an overgrowth of a normal flora (bacteria) in the vagina that causes a vaginal discharge, is relatively common in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. If a woman is having preconception testing done, her doctor may do a “wet prep” (wet mount) in the doctor’s office by placing a sample of vaginal secretions on a slide with saline or potassium hydroxide and looking at it under the microscope for bacteria. A doctor may also order a genital culture to check the vaginal sample for the presence of other types of bacteria that may be causing an infection. Doctors do not order this test routinely on pregnant women, but will order it as needed for those who have symptoms such as a vaginal discharge or itching.

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis may include:

If the patient has three of these four symptoms, she is diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (bacteria in the vagina). It is usually cured with a seven-day treatment of a prescribed antibiotic. Untreated bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy can result in amniotic fluid infection, premature rupture of the membranes, premature delivery, low birth weight of the baby, and possibly pelvic inflammatory disease in the mother.