Is Routine Testing for Bacterial Vaginosis Necessary During Pregnancy?

Question: Is Routine Testing for Bacterial Vaginosis Necessary During Pregnancy?

Answer: That depends on whether this is a first pregnancy or a subsequent pregnancy. If a previous pregnancy resulted in premature delivery or a low birth weight baby then, whether or not symptoms are present, a test for the presence of the bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis is necessary. Healthy pregnant women who do not exhibit any of the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and who've never had a previous pregnancy that ended with either of the above results do not require routine testing. Of course, testing for bacterial vaginosis is important for all pregnant women who exhibit any of the signs or symptoms associated with this vaginal infection.

_{Reference: CDC STD FAQs: Bacterial Vaginosis
http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm
Accessed: 02/13/06.}