Final answer:
Yeast infections are common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that affect the vaginal microbiota, and candidiasis is one such infection that can occur. It is diagnosed using symptom assessment, physical examination, and lab tests like a Gram stain. Treatment typically involves topical antifungal medications, with clotrimazole being safe for use in the later stages of pregnancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is indeed common to develop vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy due to changes in hormone levels which can alter the natural microbiota balance in the vagina. Conditions such as candidiasis can manifest, which are characterized by an overgrowth of yeast cells in the vagina. Diagnosis is typically made through a combination of a patient's symptoms, a physical examination, and sometimes lab tests such as a wet-mount slide or a Gram stain. In Nadia's case, the Gram stain showed an abnormally low concentration of lactobacilli and the presence of yeast cells, confirming candidiasis.
Treatment options usually include topical antifungal medications such as butoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, ticonozole, nystatin, or oral fluconazole. Pregnancy requires careful selection of these treatments; clotrimazole, for example, is considered safe (FDA category B) during the second or third trimesters. After a seven-day course of topical clotrimazole, Nadia's yeast infection cleared up.