Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: Red Flags To Look Out For

It’s normal to have more vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Compared to the odorless or mild-smelling milky discharge that you may have noticed in your underwear before you were pregnant, there is just a lot more of it now. The reason for this is that there is increased estrogen production and greater blood flow to the vaginal area. This discharge is made up of secretions from the cervix and vagina, old cells from the walls of the vagina, and normal bacterial flora from the vagina.

As your cervix begins to efface (thin out) and dilate (open up), it may expel this mucus, and you’ll notice discharge that looks like egg white or mucus from a runny nose on a cold day. This discharge might be tinged with a bit of blood.

When should I be worried about my vaginal discharge during pregnancy?

If the discharge is clear, it can be hard for you to tell if it’s just mucus or if you’re leaking amniotic fluid. If you have any doubt it is always good to contact your midwife or doctor. That being said, always keep a close look out for any of these symptoms:

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• you’re not yet at 37 weeks and you notice an increase in discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody – even if it’s just tinged with pink or brownish old blood). This can be a sign of preterm labor.
• You have an odorless, whitish discharge that’s causing you discomfort such as pain with urination or intercourse, soreness, itching, or burning – or your vulva looks inflamed. This means you could have a yeast infection.
• You notice a thin white or gray discharge with a fishy smell after sex (when the discharge mixes with semen). This might be a different kind of vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis.
• Your discharge is yellow or green and frothy with an unpleasant odor. This may be a sign of trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection. Other possible symptoms of trichomoniasis (or trich) include a red, irritated, or itchy vulva or vagina and discomfort while urinating or during intercourse
• Your discharge is foul-smelling or frothy or yellow, green, or gray. There are other vaginal infections or sexually transmitted infections you might have, even if you don’t have symptoms of irritation, itching, or burning.

Note:If you think you have an infection don’t try to treat yourself with over-the-counter medications. The symptoms aren’t always easy to distinguish, so it’s important to see your practitioner first for a diagnosis to make sure you get appropriate treatment.