Bacterial infection in the vagina, also called bacterial vaginosis, is a common ailment faced by most women, especially when they are pregnant. The condition is accompanied by pain in the lower abdominal region and can have serious complications during childbirth. Many a time, it can lead to an infection of the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid during labor, besides preterm labor and bladder infection of the mother. Studies have found that about 15 to 20% of pregnant women suffer from bacterial infection during pregnancy, so if you find any of the symptoms mentioned below, get the help of a medical professional immediately. If not treated on time, it can cause serious complications to pregnant women. Causes This diorder is most common during the childbearing age and is caused if there is an imbalance of the useful and harmful bacteria living in the vaginal region. It's said that 1 in every 5 women gets this infection at some point during the stages of pregnancy, but these estimates are not that accurate. A particular variety of bacteria called the lactobacilli live in every human being, and these bacteria help in the proper functioning of several parts of the body. Moreover, lactobacilli helps in the destruction of other harmful bacteria in the body. It's when the number of this useful bacteria reduces and the number of harmful bacteria increases, that the infection starts. The exact cause of bacterial imbalance has yet not been conclusively proved, and so it's difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for this condition. The increase in the number of streptococci bacteria may also cause the infection. This bacteria is commonly found in the intestine and inside the skin and when the baby comes out during delivery, it may cause health complications in the baby. As such, women who test positive for this problem are put on antibiotics so that the baby remains unharmed. Another cause is consuming undercooked meat and non-pasteurized dairy products. This can be harmful for the fetus, and so you need to avoid such foods. Vegetables and fruits should be well cooked and kitchen surfaces need to be kept clean, so that bacteria can't propagate. Symptoms It has been found that in some cases, this disorder does not cause any symptoms. However, most women show symptoms like a thin gray or white discharge, which has a fishy or foul smell. The odor of this discharge is quite evident after sexual intercourse when this discharge combines with semen to give out a foul smell. Other than that, you may feel a burning sensation while urinating, besides discomfort in the genital area. If you get one or more of these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor, and get your cervical secretions and vaginal fluid tested so that you know whether it's bacterial vaginosis or some other infection. Once examined, the doctor would prescribe medications, usually antibiotics, and you need to have them as directed. Normally, the condition does not have any effect on the growth and development of the fetus, but still, the symptoms need to be taken care of. There are several remedies, which you should know so that you can take measures to get it treated. Infections in Pregnancy If this condition is not treated on time, it can increase the risk of preterm birth. Moreover, the weight of the baby may be low compared to other babies of uninfected mothers. Studies have shown that there are also chances of a miscarriage in the second trimester. However, the connection between complications during pregnancy and bacterial vaginal infection is still not clear. There are instances of healthy and normal babies being born, even if the mother has infection. There is nothing to worry about this problem, but you need to take good care of your health so that harmful bacteria can't multiply. If you find any complications, consult your doctor, as the doctor knows best in all medical conditions. Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.