Discharge during first month of pregnancy

Weird Early Pregnancy Symptoms: 10 Unexpected Ones

Everyone knows the classic signs of pregnancy. You’ve missed your period. Your breasts are tender. And you’re tired all the time.

But pregnant women also experience a whole host of symptoms beyond these first signs. From mucus discharge to tasting metal to headaches, expect the unexpected.

Here’s a list of 10 weird early pregnancy symptoms no one tells you about.

While many women experience vaginal discharge, it’s not often associated with pregnancy. But most pregnant women will secrete sticky, white, or pale-yellow mucus early on in the first trimester and throughout their pregnancy.

Increased hormones and vaginal blood flow cause the discharge. It increases during pregnancy to prevent infections as your cervix and vaginal walls soften. Visit your doctor if the discharge starts to:

smell
burn
itch
turn greenish-yellow
becomes very thick or watery

These may be signs of an infection.

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When you first wake up in the morning after ovulation, your body temperature is slightly elevated. It stays that way until you get your next period.

But if this temperature, known as basal body temperature, stays elevated for more than two weeks, you may be pregnant.

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It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to feel lightheaded or dizzy in the first trimester. Pregnancy causes blood pressure to drop and blood vessels to dilate.

But pay close attention to your symptoms. Severe dizziness coupled with vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Make sure to see a doctor right away to avoid life-threatening complications.

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You may feel bloated, like you want to pass gas or go number two. But it’s just not happening. That’s because pregnancy’s hormonal changes can lead to constipation, as can prenatal vitamins.

Your digestive system slows down during pregnancy. This gives nutrients just enough extra time to absorb into your bloodstream and reach your little one.

If you can’t go, add more fiber into your diet, drink plenty of fluids, and exercise regularly. If needed, you can also check with your doctor about adding a pregnancy-safe stool softener.

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About 25 to 40 percent of pregnant women will lightly bleed or notice spotting early on in their pregnancy. The slight bleeding can happen when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This is known as implantation bleeding. It’s common about two weeks after conception.

Bleeding can also be caused by cervical irritation, an ectopic pregnancy, or a threatened miscarriage. Make sure to get medical help right away if your light bleeding gets heavier or is accompanied by severe cramps, back pain, or stabbing pains.

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Pregnancy lowers your immunity. This means you’re more prone to a cough, colds, and the flu. It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to experience cold- or flu-like symptoms early in pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor about pregnancy-safe treatment options. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to severe illnesses from the flu. This can lead to serious health problems for your baby.

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Hormones change everything during pregnancy. This includes the valve between your stomach and esophagus. This area becomes relaxed during pregnancy, which can cause stomach acid to leak into your esophagus, causing heartburn.

Fight back by eating smaller, more frequent meals. Also cut out fried grub. Try to avoid fizzy drinks, citrus fruits, juices, and spicy foods.

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Your hormones suddenly change when you become pregnant. This can throw your emotions out of whack. You’ll feel unusually weepy and emotional. Your libido goes from hot to cold then back to hot again. You might also experience mood swings. This is very common during early pregnancy.

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Increases in estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can lead to changes in taste for many pregnant women.

A condition called dysegusia has some pregnant women tasting metal. You’ll feel like you were chomping on some old pennies with your lunch. Get rid of the metallic flavor by munching on saltines and chewing sugarless gum. Also try drinking colder liquids or eating spicier foods.

Some of the symptoms listed above may make you think you’re just stressed and run down. But experienced together, they can point to pregnancy.

Pay attention to what your body is telling you. It might be time to see your doctor for a pregnancy test.

Thick white discharge (leukorrhea) in early pregnancy

You may notice an increase in white creamy discharge early in pregnancy, due to higher levels of estrogen. White vaginal discharge (called leucorrhea) is nothing to worry about: This early pregnancy discharge is normal and can be clear to milky white, thin or thick, and mild-smelling or odorless. Vaginal discharge that's green, smells unpleasant, causes pain or itching, or seems unusual in any other way could be a sign of infection or another problem.

What does creamy white discharge mean during pregnancy?

It's perfectly normal to have a mild-smelling milky white discharge even before pregnancy. (It's called leukorrhea.) There's just a lot more of it during pregnancy because your body is producing more estrogen, which signals the vagina to produce more discharge.

This discharge is made up of secretions from the cervix and vagina, old cells, and normal vaginal bacteria. Healthy vaginal discharge is usually:

Clear to milky white.
Thin to thick or mucus-like.
Mild-smelling or odorless.

You'll probably also notice more vaginal discharge as you approach labor, although it's likely to look somewhat different from the flow you've become accustomed to.

Discharge that's green, smells unpleasant, causes pain or itching, or seems unusual in any other way could be a sign of infection or another problem. Also, call your doctor or midwife right away if:

You're not yet 37 weeks along and notice an increase in the amount of discharge or a change in the type of discharge. For example, if you're continuously leaking clear and watery fluid, these can be signs that your water has broken or you're in preterm labor.
Your vulva looks inflamed, or you have an odorless, whitish discharge that's causing pain with urination or intercourse, soreness, itching, or burning. This means you could have a yeast infection.
You have thin white or gray discharge with a strong fishy smell which may be more noticeable after sex (when the discharge mixes with semen). This might be a condition 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 has a strong and noticeable odor or has changed in color, amount, or consistency from your normal discharge.

It can be hard to tell when symptoms signal a problem, and even if you don't have common symptoms like irritation, itching, or burning, you could still have a vaginal or sexually transmitted infection.

If you're having discomfort or you think you have an infection, don't try to treat yourself with over-the-counter medications or "feminine hygiene" products. Many of these products are marketed to make you think something's wrong with you when it's really not. And using them can aggravate an already sensitive area. Instead, see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and the right treatment.

Typically, no. While many women notice an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy, you're not likely to notice this symptom in the week or two just after conception. And it's not one of the early pregnancy symptoms that women commonly report during those first few weeks. If you suspect you might be pregnant, your best bet is to take a pregnancy test around the time you would expect your period.

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How can I tell if this is vaginal discharge or my mucus plug?

The "mucus plug" is a collection of gelatinous secretions from your cervix. These secretions fill the cervical canal in early pregnancy and create a protective barrier for most of pregnancy. As you get closer to delivery and your cervix begins to thin out (efface) and open up (dilate), these mucus-like secretions may come out of your vagina. This can be a sign of early labor.

Be assured however, it's not like a cork popping. Labor still progresses on its own timeline, and your baby remains well protected.

Not everyone experiences losing their mucus plug. If you do, it might seem like an increased amount of vaginal discharge over the course of a few days, or a glob of thickened mucus that's clear, pinkish, brownish, or tinged with a bit of blood.

How can I tell if this is vaginal discharge or amniotic fluid?

Regular discharge comes out sporadically in small amounts, but amniotic fluid leaks out continuously once your water breaks. Amniotic fluid is usually clear or slightly yellowish, watery, and odorless or slightly sweet-smelling. When your water breaks, amniotic fluid may come out as a leak or trickle, or in a big, dramatic gush. Either way, it will continue to leak out until you have your baby.

If you think it's possible you're leaking amniotic fluid, contact your provider immediately. It's important to find out if you might be going into labor.

If you're less than 34 weeks pregnant and you think your water has broken, call your provider right away. You may need medications to delay your labor and speed up the development of your baby's lungs and antibiotics to protect against infection.

What can I do about vaginal discharge during pregnancy?

There's not much you can do to stop your body's normal vaginal discharge. You can wear panty liners to absorb discharge if you need to but using them frequently may irritate your vulva. Using tampons is not recommended during pregnancy.

Here are some other ways to keep your genital area healthy:

Always wipe from front to back.
Change out of sweaty work-out clothes or wet swimsuits promptly.
If your vulva is irritated, consider limiting tight pants, leggings, or underwear made with synthetic materials.
Don't use bubble bath, scented pads, scented toilet paper, feminine hygiene sprays, and scented or deodorant soaps. These scents can be irritating to your sensitive vulvar skin.
And don't douche. Douching can upset the normal balance of bacteria in your vagina and increase the likelihood of infection. Doctors and midwives also discourage douching during pregnancy because in rare cases it can introduce air into your circulatory system through the vagina, which can cause serious complications.

Learn more:

Vaginal bleeding or spotting during pregnancy

Frequent urination during pregnancy

Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore

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articles of the Oxford Medical clinic Kyiv

Contents:

What discharge during pregnancy is considered normal?
When should you see a doctor for discharge?
Discharge during early pregnancy
Discharge during late pregnancy
Discharge during pregnancy by color0005

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes a number of physiological changes - her body changes, adapts to carrying a baby and future childbirth. Changes can also occur with vaginal discharge. After conception, their number or color may become different, which often makes a woman worry. In order not to worry for no reason, but also not to miss a possible reason to see a doctor, you need to know which discharges are normal and which are not.

What discharge during pregnancy is considered normal?

The nature of the discharge at different stages of pregnancy may vary slightly. Standard variant are:

transparent or white discharge;
odor free;
not exceeding the usual volume;
not accompanied by itching, burning or other painful symptoms.

At the same time, in the first 2-4 weeks, the daily discharge may increase slightly and become thicker. It is also possible the appearance of light spotting within a few hours or a day, which occurs as a result of the implantation of the embryo to the uterine wall. nine0005

When should you see a doctor for discharge?

During pregnancy, a woman is advised to visit a gynecologist regularly for examinations and tests. First, consultations are prescribed once a month, and then once every 2 weeks. This allows you to carefully monitor the health of the pregnant woman and the development of the fetus. But, if discomfort appears, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

One of the alarming symptoms is the appearance of atypical discharge:

yellow, green, brown;
bloody;
thick;
too abundant;
slimy;
malodorous;
accompanied by itching, burning and other symptoms.

Such a change in the nature of the discharge may be associated with the development of an inflammatory or infectious disease, as well as complications of pregnancy. To find out the exact cause, you need to do tests, conduct an ultrasound and, if necessary, other studies. nine0005

Discharge during early pregnancy

When conception occurs, changes begin in the body. First of all, the synthesis of the hormone progesterone increases and blood flow to the pelvic organs increases. These processes are often accompanied by profuse vaginal discharge. They can be translucent, white or with a slight yellowish tint. There should be no unpleasant odor or skin irritation.

Shortly thereafter, progesterone levels decrease and estrogen levels rise. At this time, a mucous plug is formed that covers the cervix. Its formation can also cause increased secretion, but gradually it should decrease and become more liquid and transparent. nine0005

In addition, in the first weeks, the ovum attaches to the wall of the uterus, which can cause light brown discharge. As a rule, they are scarce and quickly stop - within a few hours or a day. If heavy bleeding has begun, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Approximately from 5 to 20 weeks, the discharge should be the same - transparent or whitish, in small volume, odorless.

Discharge in late pregnancy

From 20 to 40 weeks of pregnancy, the discharge is normally white, free of impurities and unpleasant odor. nine0005

In the last week before childbirth, the discharge may become thinner. If they are very abundant, leakage or discharge of amniotic fluid is possible, which requires a visit to a doctor.

Characterization of pregnancy discharge by color

Normal discharge should be colorless or white. A change in color and consistency may indicate the development of a disease or complications of pregnancy.

Bright or dark yellow discharge most often occurs when inflammation develops. Grey-green and green may result from infection. Thick white discharge speaks about it - as a rule, candidiasis manifests itself. Brown discharge may be due to slight bleeding. nine0005

Oxford Medical says it is important to consider not only the color of the discharge, but also its smell, volume and consistency. A sharp and unpleasant odor appears only with bacterial or fungal diseases, so it should by no means be ignored. Also, an alarming signal is a strong increase in the volume of secretions, a change in structure, foaminess and other deviations from the norm.

There can be many reasons for abnormal discharge. To find them out, you need to conduct examinations, and then, if necessary, treatment. nine0005

Bloody discharge during pregnancy

The appearance of bloody discharge at any stage of pregnancy is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

The exception is small spotting in the first weeks (usually the date of the expected menstruation), which indicates the implantation of the embryo. At this point, capillaries and small vessels can be injured, which causes light bleeding. Normally, it is very weak, not accompanied by pain or other unpleasant symptoms. nine0005

Blood-streaked discharge may also occur on the eve of childbirth as a result of cervical dilatation. This is normal, but a doctor's consultation is required.

In other cases, both in the first and last trimester, any discharge from pale pink and brown to red is a dangerous symptom. The violation may be minor, but it is necessary to conduct an examination.

Bleeding can be caused by:

hormonal disorders; nine0005
cervical erosion;
cysts;
fibroids;
inflammatory and infectious diseases;
ectopic pregnancy;
miscarriage;
placental abruption;
threatened miscarriage or premature birth.

Regular follow-up with an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist and the implementation of all recommendations will help to avoid possible complications and concentrate on the most important thing - the joyful expectation of the baby and preparation for meeting him. nine0005

What secretions can occur during conception

Many women note that immediately after the delay and in the later stages, the nature of the secretion changes. It can be:

With or without smell.
Depending on the color - transparent, white, cream, yellow, greenish, bloody.
By consistency - thick, liquid, curdled.
As a symptom for assessing the state of health - threatening, safe.

During ovulation, the egg leaves the ovary, its membrane is blown away, a small amount of fluid is released - so it becomes ready for fertilization. At this time, the thick mucus that fills the cervical canal of the cervix becomes less viscous. This makes it easier for the spermatozoa to penetrate and move further into the tubes for fertilization. At this time, you may notice an abundance of clear mucous secretions.

After the fusion of the egg with the spermatozoon, movement into the uterus begins, which should end with implantation in the inner layer. During penetration, its slight detachment may occur - this causes damage to the blood vessels that abundantly penetrate the muscular layer of the uterus. You may see light brown discharge, which is common during pregnancy. The color is due to the fact that the blood has time to clot. nine0005

Sometimes the discharge is brightly colored and some women mistake it for an early period. But in this case, a short duration is characteristic, a different shade (dark or scarlet), a slight mark on the linen.

With some features of the structure of the female genital organs (for example, with a bicornuate uterus), after implantation of the embryo in one part, rejection of the endometrium may begin in the other, as is usually the case with menstruation. This rarely happens.

Characteristics of discharge in case of threatened miscarriage

Spontaneous abortion is the rejection of an embryo in the early stages after conception. If at the first signs of pregnancy, you notice spotting, there is a high probability that a miscarriage begins.

Also, miscarriage symptoms include:

pulling or pressing on the lower abdomen, sacrum, lower back;
the muscles of the uterus are tense.

The woman may experience cramps. This continues all the time or intermittently. From the vagina there are scarlet or brown discharge during pregnancy, which was previously confirmed. Sometimes the period may be still small, and the first signs did not have time to appear. nine0005

After 22 weeks, this phenomenon is called preterm labor. The child in this case is still weak, the organs are not sufficiently developed, and there is little chance of survival.

The following factors increase the risk of miscarriage:

various diseases;
progesterone deficiency;
nervous and physical overexertion;
pathologies in the genitals;
fetal developmental defects.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound scan. If it shows that the fetal heart rate is disturbed, the tone of the uterus is increased, its size differs from normal for this period, hospitalization will be recommended to maintain pregnancy. nine0005

Which secretions during pregnancy are considered normal

This secretion does not pose a threat to health:

transparent;
whitish;
yellowish;
odorless;
mucous;
without itching, burning, redness of the genitals.

Clear liquid on underwear is a symptom of ovulation. During pregnancy, the activity of ongoing processes in the body increases, so the amount of secretion secreted may increase. However, a violation of the norm is the leakage of amniotic fluid. You can determine the problem with the help of special diagnostic tests that the doctor will prescribe if he has suspicions. nine0005

White color, small amount, homogeneous structure should also not cause concern. The increased volume of fluid in this case is associated with increased hormonal activity.

One of the variants of the norm is mucous discharge, which smells of slight sourness. If there is no pain, discomfort, there is nothing to worry about.

Yellow discharge, signs of pregnancy are present, there is no unpleasant odor - you are all right. Some women had this color before conception, only they did not pay attention. Now there are more of them, therefore more noticeable. nine0005

Sometimes a woman observes that the laundry gets wet and there is a smell of urine. This may indicate incontinence due to the constant pressure of the growing uterus. In this case, it is recommended to go to the toilet more often, change underpants twice a day.

What discharge during pregnancy is considered a sign of infection?

White discharge during pregnancy with a cheesy texture is a symptom of thrush (candidiasis). In pregnant women, it is diagnosed quite often - the reason is a change in hormonal levels. The disease is accompanied by itching, redness of the vulva, a strong sour smell. Sometimes external manifestations are not detected, then treatment is not carried out. nine0005

Infection is indicated by pain, pain, skin irritation, ulcers, smell of rot or fish, gray or green color, frothy fluid, increased nervousness, large inguinal lymph nodes. The reason may lie in sexually transmitted infections. This includes syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia and others. They are dangerous because they cause premature birth and fetal developmental defects.

What kind of discharge during pregnancy should I pay special attention to and should I consult a doctor? nine0035

The following indicates that pregnancy is at risk:

Severe pain in the perineum, bleeding, difficulty defecation, convulsions - these may be injuries to the vaginal mucosa.
Nausea, profuse vomiting, edema, headaches, cough, hypertension, bright red secretion are symptoms of hydatidiform mole (abnormal development of the embryo).
A drop in blood pressure, pallor, weakness, sweating, pulling sensations, bleeding during pregnancy against the background of a lack of growth of hCG in the blood - this is how ectopic attachment manifests itself. nine0010
Discharge of clots, sharp pain, vomiting, diarrhea may indicate a frozen fetus.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

It is also necessary to contact the clinic if you have been physically abused, had rough sex, had an accident, fell, hit. The likelihood that the situation will be resolved successfully is much higher if you do not delay the visit, listen to the symptoms and take good care of your health. nine0005

Remember that although pregnancy is a normal state of health for a woman's body, diagnosis and treatment are different due to the many restrictions on manipulations and medications during pregnancy. That is why diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy should take place only under the supervision of a doctor.