Here is what mums asked our midwives this week: pregnancy taboos — the stuff no one talks about

Some pregnancy questions feel too awkward to bring up at an appointment. Too embarrassing to Google. Too silly to mention out loud. But here's the thing our midwives get asked these exact questions every single week, which means you are absolutely not alone. So here is what mums asked us this week, and exactly what our midwives told them.

"I think I have thrush  is it safe to treat during pregnancy?"

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida, and pregnancy makes you significantly more likely to get it ,especially in the third trimester,because of the hormonal changes happening in your body. The reassuring news is that thrush cannot harm your unborn baby, so while it's uncomfortable, it is not dangerous.

Symptoms to look out for include a white discharge that looks a bit like cottage cheese and doesn't usually smell, itching and irritation around the vagina and vulva, soreness or stinging during sex or when you pee, and redness. The important thing to know during pregnancy is that you should not treat thrush with fluconazole tablets  even though these are the standard over-the-counter treatment. Instead, speak to your GP or midwife first, as thrush in pregnancy is treated with a cream or pessary containing clotrimazole or a similar antifungal. It's safe and effective, it just needs to be the right form of treatment for where you are in your pregnancy.

If you have thrush when your baby is born, there is a small chance they may pick it up during delivery but this is easily treated and nothing to be alarmed about.

"I keep getting an unusual discharge could it be BV?"

Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is one of the most common causes of unusual vaginal discharge and one of the least talked about. It is not a sexually transmitted infection, but sexual activity can trigger it. Around half of women with BV have no symptoms at all, which is part of why it often goes undiagnosed.

If you do have symptoms, the most common signs are a discharge with a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex, and a change in colour or consistency often becoming greyish-white, thin and watery. Unlike thrush, BV doesn't usually cause soreness or itching, which can help you tell the two apart.

During pregnancy, it is particularly important to get BV treated, as in rare cases it can increase the risk of complications such as premature birth or miscarriage. The treatment is straightforward which is usually antibiotic tablets, gel or cream prescribed by your GP or midwife and BV in the majority of pregnancies causes no problems at all when caught and treated early.

To help prevent BV, avoid perfumed soaps, bubble baths, vaginal washes or douches, and stick to plain water or unscented soap to wash the genital area. If your vaginal discharge changes at any point during pregnancy, mention it to your midwife,  it is never a silly question.

"I have this constant heavy pressure down there is that normal?"

A feeling of heaviness, pressure or discomfort in the lower tummy or vagina is something a lot of pregnant women experience but feel awkward bringing up. In many cases it is completely normal you have a growing baby, growing uterus and everything shifting downward. But it is worth knowing what to look out for.

If you feel or see a bulge or lump inside or coming out of your vagina, experience pain or numbness during sex, have problems with your bladder such as not feeling like it empties fully, needing to go more frequently or leaking when you cough or sneeze, or notice changes with your bowel movements, these can be signs of pelvic organ prolapse, which is when the womb, bladder or bowel bulge into the vagina. It is more common in women over 50 but can happen during pregnancy too, particularly with the increased pressure on the pelvic floor.

If any of these symptoms apply to you, mention them to your GP or midwife. Treatment depends on severity and ranges from pelvic floor exercises and physiotherapy to hormone cream or, in more serious cases, surgical options. The single most effective thing you can do right now is your pelvic floor exercises make sure to do them consistently, every day, throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

"My hair is falling out is this pregnancy or something wrong?"

Hair changes during pregnancy are almost universal but rarely warned about. During pregnancy, high oestrogen levels extend the active growth phase of your hair, which means less daily shedding and often noticeably thicker, fuller hair. Enjoy it because the reverse tends to happen after birth.

Postpartum hair loss, medically called telogen effluvium, affects the majority of new mums and typically kicks in around two to four months after delivery. When oestrogen levels drop sharply after birth, hair follicles shift simultaneously into their resting and shedding phase, which can feel alarming when you see how much is coming out. It usually peaks around four months postpartum and resolves on its own within six to twelve months as your hormones rebalance. Breastfeeding can slightly prolong this process but does not make the loss more severe or permanent.

The most important thing to know is that most standard hair loss treatments, including minoxidil ,must be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Focus instead on eating a balanced diet rich in protein, iron and zinc, and taking your doctor-approved pregnancy vitamins. These support your body's recovery and give your hair the best chance of returning to normal.

See your GP if hair loss continues beyond twelve months postpartum, if you notice patches of hair falling out rather than widespread shedding, or if hair loss is accompanied by extreme fatigue, headaches or dizziness, as these can be signs of iron deficiency or anaemia that needs treating.

Got a question you haven't been able to ask?

These are the conversations our midwives have every single day and every one of them is worth asking. 

If you are ever unsure, have a quick chat with one of our live certified midwives for instant, expert clarity in the Dearbump app. They are always happy to answer any of your concerns and able to reassure you.