Here’s the lowdown on pregnancy discharge: Why it happens, what it looks like, how to deal with it and when to get it checked by a doctor. Show
Pregnancy can be a “juicy” time—and we’re not talking about “is she or isn’t she?” gossip. Some women might notice extra saliva, a runny nose and, yes, more vaginal discharge. “It’s just a normal thing that happens during pregnancy,” says Kerry Harris, a midwife based in Vancouver. This milky-white pregnancy discharge is called leukorrhea and it is usually nothing to worry about. In fact, an increase in discharge is sometimes a clue that you’re pregnant! From there, it tends to increase more toward the end of the third trimester. What is leukorrhea and what causes it?Leukorrhea is the medical term for vaginal discharge. During pregnancy, many women find leukorrhea, or discharge, increases. You can thank your hormones: Your body’s increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy boosts blood flow to your pelvic area and stimulates your mucous membranes. The discharge does have a purpose, though. Harris says that it makes the vagina a “self-cleaning system,” helping to prevent infections by flushing away bacteria, keeping the vagina at a normal pH level and getting rid of dead cells. Is discharge a sign of pregnancy?After implantation, your body immediately begins to produce pregnancy discharge. However, because discharge fluctuates throughout the course of your cycle, you may not notice these subtle changes. On the other hand, if you’re monitoring your cycle closely and you notice an increase in discharge, it very well may be a sign that you’re pregnant! What does normal pregnancy discharge look like?Normal vaginal discharge in pregnancy is thin, milky white and mild-smelling or odourless. “Everyone’s got their normal, and that can increase in pregnancy,” says Harris. “If it changes from normal, that’s a good thing to talk about with your healthcare provider.” When should I worry about discharge during pregnancy?Yellow or green dischargeAny discharge that greenish or yellowish, causes vaginal itchiness or pain, smells bad or has a strong odour should be checked by your healthcare provider because it could signal an infection. This can be easily treated once a diagnosis is confirmed by your doctor or midwife. Thick white clumpy dischargeThick, cheesy-looking discharge is also a sign of infection. Make sure you get checked out by your health care provider. Pink or brown dischargePinkish or brownish discharge is probably the result of mild bleeding from your cervix being bumped during sex or a vaginal exam. As long as it’s not heavy bleeding, all is probably well, but you can ask your healthcare provider if you have any concerns. Watery dischargeIf you have very watery discharge, contact your healthcare provider because it could mean that you are leaking amniotic fluid and need to be monitored. How to tell if it’s discharge or the mucus plug?When you’re pregnant, a thick plug of mucus blocks the cervix to stop bacteria from getting into the uterus. Toward the end of the third trimester, this plug may (or may not) move down into your vagina, resulting in more discharge that could be clear or tinged pink or brown if there’s blood in it—sometimes called a “bloody show.” “All it means is that the cervix is starting to ripen and change and that the mucus that previously filled the cervix now has enough space to fall out,” says Harris. The mucus plug is thicker or more jelly-like than normal pregnancy discharge, which is thin and milky-white. How do I deal with discharge during pregnancy?For most women, pregnancy discharge isn’t cause for concern and is just one of those oh-so-fun side effects of pregnancy. “I used panty liners through pretty much my whole pregnancy,” says Destinee Heikkenen, a mom of a four-month-old baby from Thunder Bay, Ontario. “I was a little surprised because I hadn’t noticed the discharge much with my other three kids, but my midwife assured me that everything was fine.” Don’t use tampons, douches or vaginal washes or wipes because you don’t want to interfere with the natural balance of bacteria and pH levels in your vagina. If you want to go commando at home to help stay clean and dry, well, that’s a pregnant lady’s prerogative.  Vaginal discharge is the fluid coming out of the vagina and is often thin, watery, or milky white during early pregnancy. There is increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy that can often be noticed on underwear. The discharge is thin, watery, or milky white during early pregnancy. The discharge has no offensive odor. Though in some women, a mild odor may be present. The discharge is not associated with pain or itching. If you feel uncomfortable because of the constant wetness, you can use panty liners or soft cotton underwear. You must, however, avoid using tampons or douching because they can cause infections. The amount of discharge may vary with the duration of pregnancy.
Is it normal to have vaginal discharge during pregnancy?Vaginal discharge is the fluid coming out of the vagina. All women have some amount of vaginal discharge. It is produced by tiny glands present in the uterus (womb), cervix (the mouth of the uterus), and vagina. During pregnancy, women report an increased vaginal discharge. This occurs due to various reasons.
The role of vaginal discharge during pregnancy is to flush away any harmful infection from the vagina. This prevents the spread of infection to the mother and the baby. Thus, it is normal to have increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy. You must, however, keep an eye on any change in the vaginal discharge, such as spotting, yellowing, frothing of discharge. Report to your doctor or midwife immediately. When should I worry about my vaginal discharge during pregnancy?Any abnormal change in the appearance or nature of your discharge must be brought to your midwife’s or doctor’s notice. You must seek medical help if:
Is it normal to have bleeding or spotting during pregnancy?The presence of a few spots or streaks of blood may be normal during the early and late stages of the pregnancy. However, bleeding or spotting may be signs of serious problems, such as a miscarriage. Thus, you must contact your doctor if you see blood or pinkish or brownish vaginal discharge. QUESTIONThe first sign of pregnancy is most often: See AnswerWhat do different vaginal discharge colors mean?Depending on the color, vaginal discharge may indicate different health issues: Yellow or greenYellow or green vaginal discharge indicates an infection, possibly a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or trichomoniasis. Other symptoms may be present as well, such as vaginal redness or irritation. Yellow vaginal discharge is often mistaken as leakage of small amounts of urine. However, any yellow discharge should be evaluated by a doctor. Seeking medical attention is important because STIs during pregnancy can cause complications that affect both mother and child. These complications may not show up in the child until years after birth, but they can affect the child’s nervous system and development and cause infertility in the mother. White and lumpyVaginal discharge that is white/off-white and lumpy, resembling cottage cheese, may indicate a yeast infection, which is common during pregnancy. Other symptoms may include pain, burning, itching, and painful urination or intercourse. GrayGray vaginal discharge may indicate a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV). It is also associated with a fishy odor that becomes stronger after intercourse. BV is a result of a bacterial imbalance in the vagina. Risk factors for BV include douching and sex with multiple partners. BrownBrown vaginal discharge is caused by old blood leaving the body. It may be an early sign of pregnancy. Brown discharge during pregnancy is usually not dangerous. Dark brown discharge during pregnancy, however, requires medical attention. PinkPink vaginal discharge during pregnancy is usually normal during the early and final weeks of pregnancy. It can, however, also be a sign of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or vaginal infection. Pink discharge may also appear after sexual intercourse. RedRed vaginal discharge during pregnancy can be dangerous and requires immediate attention, especially if there is heavy bleeding, clots, cramping, and abdominal pain. The red discharge could be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Health NewsMedically Reviewed on 3/11/2022 References NCT. Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: Your Questions Answered. https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/vaginal-discharge-during-pregnancy-your-questions-answered Watson S. Pregnancy Discharge: Color and Texture Changes. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/women/features/pregnancy-discharge-changes#1 |
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