Do pregnancy discharge smell

Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy | Supersavvyme

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is completely normal. Learn more about ordinary vaginal discharge, smelly vaginal discharge and other changes that can happen during pregnancy.

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It’s not the most glamorous of subjects, but vaginal discharge is a fact of life. All women have some vaginal discharge. It starts in the year or two prior to puberty, and continues throughout life, coming to a stop after the menopause. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is completely normal, and helps prevents infections reaching the uterus from the vagina. We answer all your questions about vaginal discharge during pregnancy…

What sort of vaginal discharge during pregnancy can I expect?

Just like the inside of your mouth and nostrils, the inside of your vagina is covered in mucous membrane, called vaginal discharge. This is produced by the body to moisten and cleanse the vagina.

The mucus which is made in the vagina in pregnancy, plays a part in protecting your developing baby from infections.

Changes in vaginal discharge can be one of the first signs of pregnancy, with the earliest being one to two weeks following conception and even before your missed period.

What does normal vaginal discharge look like?

Usually, this thin, milky, mild-smelling discharge is clear in colour but may look white or off-white when it is seen outside of your body, on your underwear or toilet tissue for example.

What is normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy can also be known as leukorrhea, caused by an increase in pregnancy hormones and blood flow to your reproductive organs. It is similar to the vaginal discharge you might experience between periods, except heavier. How much discharge you experience in pregnancy is different for everyone and might fluctuate, and could be compared to discharge sometimes being heavier before your period.

But what does vaginal discharge look like in pregnancy exactly? - Actually much the same. When pregnant, you just might notice more discharge than before and that is completely normal and healthy.

How does discharge change when pregnant?

The amount and consistency of vaginal discharge will vary from day to day. Some days you might have more vaginal discharge than others, and some days it might be thicker or waterier. You might notice fluctuations but the important thing to remember is that vaginal discharge during pregnancy is completely normal, and 43% of women say they experienced an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy. The amount of vaginal discharge during pregnancy can possibly increase until term, sometimes becoming quite heavy.

A lot of discharge during pregnancy has its benefits. Vaginal discharge is usually at its heaviest in the final weeks of pregnancy, as you experience increased discharge during pregnancy, to reduce the risk of vaginal and uterine infections.

Along with the volume of vaginal discharge, the colour can also change throughout pregnancy. White discharge during pregnancy is common, but towards the last week or so of pregnancy, your discharge may contain some pink mucus. It tends to be sticky and of a jelly-like consistency, and is your body’s way of saying that it is starting to prepare for labour.

When should I check with the doctor?

An increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy is completely normal. However, it’s a good idea to see your doctor if you notice sudden changes in vaginal discharge during pregnancy, or if you experience smelly vaginal discharge during pregnancy, or if you experience blood loss.

There can be many reasons for unusual vaginal discharge and with the body being more susceptible to vaginal infections during pregnancy, it is important to be aware of anything out of the ordinary. Call your doctor or midwife straight away if you have any vaginal bleeding or painful urination.

How can vaginal discharge during pregnancy suddenly change?

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy might change in colour. becoming yellow, green or grey. Or it might be an odour change, becoming strong or bad, so you might notice smelly vaginal discharge. The amount or consistency might change, or it could start causing pain, itching or burning.

You should see a doctor if you experience any of these changes to vaginal discharge during pregnancy because they may indicate an underlying problem like an infection, or the vaginal discharge may be amniotic fluid.

Smelly discharge during pregnancy

As unpleasant and embarrassing as it might be, smelly discharge during pregnancy is a surprising symptom that can affect many women. Big hormonal changes can bring about all sorts of physical differences, including increased vaginal discharge, which can often cause a strong smell. However, if the smell is particularly bad, it could be caused by a bacterial imbalance, which would therefore require medical attention.

If it is the hormones causing the smelly discharge when pregnant, then this will likely go away on its own once your baby is born. In the meantime, it is a good idea to wear loose fitting, cotton underwear and avoid perfumed soap to best prevent the smell.

Spotting during pregnancy

Spotting during pregnancy is not uncommon, especially during the early stages. It’s often nothing to worry about, although you should still call your midwife or GP immediately if you have any bleeding from your vagina during pregnancy, just to be on the safe side.

Spotting during pregnancy can indicate many possibilities, depending on whether it’s heavy or light, the colour, how long it lasts and at what point during the pregnancy it occurs. If occurring later on in pregnancy, it could potentially be something more serious, so always ensure to take precautions and seek medical advice to be sure.

How can I keep feeling fresh?

When experiencing vaginal discharge, some women find it comfortable to use pantyliners, that protect their underwear and to help them feel fresh and clean every day. Always Dailies Extra Protect Liners are so thin and light, you’ll forget you’re wearing them.

If you’re looking for a more natural comfort without the extra scent, another great option is to try all Always Dailies Cotton Protection Panty Liners, which are free from fragrances and ideal for sensitive skin, to let your vagina breathe.

Let us know your advice

We’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you’ve got a tip that will help other pregnant women?

Vaginal Odor During Pregnancy (Causes & Remedies)

Have you recently noticed a funky smell “down there?” Wondering if it’s pregnancy-related and if it’s normal or not?

Your body goes through some crazy changes during pregnancy, some of which you would never have guessed. You knew your vagina was going to have to stretch to push out a baby, but you probably didn’t know you’d acquire a whole new aroma down there.

In this article, we will talk all about vaginal odor during pregnancy, what causes it, when you should see your doctor, and how to eliminate the smell.

Table of Contents

Is Vaginal Odor Normal During Pregnancy?
Causes Of Vaginal Odor During Pregnancy
When Should I Call the Doctor?
How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor
To Sum it Up

Is Vaginal Odor Normal During Pregnancy?

Even though it can be unpleasant and embarrassing, vaginal odor is actually quite normal during pregnancy. Around 65 percent of women report they have experienced vaginal odor throughout their pregnancies. Vaginal odor can even be one of the first symptoms of pregnancy.

If the aroma started after you conceived, it is most likely pregnancy-related. Your odor can range from faint to very strong and is usually nothing to worry about.

But remember that every pregnancy is different. You may experience vaginal odor throughout this entire pregnancy and then have none with the next. The odor may also be more apparent during certain trimesters.

Causes Of Vaginal Odor During Pregnancy

There are various reasons why you may be experiencing vaginal odor during pregnancy.

The physiologic vaginal discharge during pregnancy is known as leukorrhea. This is a thin, white discharge that feels wet. While you may feel like the odor slightly changes, it should not smell foul, and it should not itch or cause pain. Leukorrhea is caused by increased pregnancy hormones and blood flow to your reproductive organs.

Editor's Note:

Caitlin Goodwin, MSN, RN, CNM

Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes:

Hormones: Your body is going through massive hormonal changes now that you’re pregnant, and that triggers all sorts of physical changes. This can include increased secretions from your vagina, which often cause a strong odor ⁽¹⁾. You may also just be more sensitive to smell and are noticing what already existed, thanks to the extraordinary amounts of estrogen in your growing body.
Diet: Pregnant women are also more likely to experience changes in vaginal odor due to diet. Spicy foods, fish, coffee, garlic, onion, broccoli, and dairy products could be the cause of your unpleasant smell.
Dehydration: If you notice a strong ammonia smell, you may be dehydrated. Remember you need more fluids when you’re pregnant, as your body is working for two now. Try to drink at least two liters of water per day.
Yeast infection: You’re more at risk for yeast infections when you’re pregnant because you have more sugar in your vaginal secretions on which the yeast can feed, creating an imbalance and an overgrowth of yeast ⁽²⁾.
Bacterial infection: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in pregnant women and is caused by an imbalance of bacteria living in your vagina. With BV, a fish-like vaginal odor is most apparent after sex. While research may be unclear about what specifically causes this bacterial imbalance, you can reduce your chances of getting BV by practicing safe sex, not smoking, and not douching ⁽³⁾. If you notice a fishy odor, seek care from your healthcare provider immediately. Having BV increases your risk of experiencing preterm labor.
Viruses or STDs: Viruses, like herpes simplex and other STDs, could also be the cause of your unpleasant aroma.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

While vaginal odor is often completely normal during pregnancy because of hormones, increased blood volume, or diet, sometimes it can be a sign of an infection or virus.

It’s best to contact your healthcare provider if you have a pungent vaginal odor that lasts for an extended period or if it’s coupled with any of the following:

Redness.
Itching.
Irritation.
Burning.
Painful urination.
Unusual discharge — change in color, consistency, and amount.

Your doctor will examine a sample of your vaginal fluid and cervical secretions to see if you have an infection.

I know you may feel quite embarrassed by this newfound smell, but don’t worry, there is no need to be. Midwives and OBs have pretty much seen it all.

If you have a yeast infection, your provider will most likely prescribe or recommend an over-the-counter antifungal cream. If your vagina or vaginal discharge has a particular “fishy” smell to it, it’s likely you have bacterial vaginosis and will be put on a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection.

Urgent

It’s critical to see your medical provider if you think you may have BV, as it has been associated with certain pregnancy complications such as preterm labor, low baby birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, and uterine infection after delivery.

How to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor

If all your tests come back negative for yeast infections, bacterial infections, and STDs, your changing hormones are probably responsible for the odor. It will most likely go away once your baby is born.

Until then, remember that less is more when it comes to cleaning yourself.

Fun Fact

Your vagina cleans itself. It’s lined by a variety of glands that lubricate and cleanse the area. There is no need to force any bath product or water into your vagina ⁽⁴⁾.

In the meantime, you can try some of these techniques to help eliminate the smell:

Practice proper hygiene: Wash the outside of your vagina with mild soap and water once a day. Avoid using loofahs, as they can create small tears and expose the area to possible infection ⁽⁵⁾.
Don’t douche: Forcing water, or any cleansing agent, into your vagina can destroy healthy bacteria or even push an infection up into your uterus. Douching is never a good idea, pregnant or not.
Use cotton underwear: Wearing the right underwear can help cure your pregnancy odor. Find some comfortable, loose-fitting 100-percent cotton underwear. This will create a breathable, dry environment for your nether regions, as cotton will wick away any excess moisture from sweat or discharge.
Change underwear frequently: Changing your underwear frequently will also help cut down on the moisture and the smell.
Cut out tight-fitting clothes: We know yoga pants can be quite comfy, especially during pregnancy, but it’s best to wear clothes that will let your lady bits breathe.
Switch out cosmetic products: Scented soap and other feminine products can irritate or even contribute to the smell. Try using unscented products or even just plain warm water to keep clean.
Change in diet: A well-balanced diet will help keep your entire body healthy, including your vagina. Eating too much sugar may encourage yeast to thrive. Ensure you’re getting plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein. You could also try eliminating certain foods, such as garlic and broccoli, and adding in probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.
Stay hydrated: Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to help cut back on the ammonia scent and encourage healthy sweating and fluid release. Pregnant women should drink between 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluids per day ⁽⁶⁾.

If you’re going to wear panty liners, try to use all-cotton liners or at least liners that aren’t scented. The extra scent might irritate your skin and doesn’t really help the odor.

Editor's Note:

Caitlin Goodwin, MSN, RN, CNM

To Sum it Up

Your new vaginal aroma may be unpleasant and embarrassing, but remember that you are not alone, mama. Vaginal odor is actually quite common during pregnancy and is often just due to hormones. It will probably vanish after your baby is born.

However, the odor can sometimes be a sign of an infection, so be sure to watch out for any “fishy” scent, burning, irritation, or redness. Otherwise, practicing proper hygiene, using cotton undies and pantyliners, avoiding douching and scented soaps, and changing your diet will help reduce the funk.

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Pregnancy discharge | What are the discharge during pregnancy? | Blog

In the absence of menstruation, girls usually suspect that conception has occurred. However, during pregnancy, the female body may continue to secrete a secret of a different color and character. We recommend that you keep a close eye on everything that happens so as not to miss the development of adverse events. We will talk about how to recognize problem situations during pregnancy in the article.

What discharge 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 scent.
Depending on the color - transparent, white, cream, yellow, greenish, bloody.
By consistency - thick, liquid, cheesy.
As a symptom for assessing the state of health - threatening, safe.

During ovulation, the egg is released from the ovary, its membrane is deflated, 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.

Sometimes the discharge is brightly colored and some women mistake it for a period that has started too early. 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 usually occurs during menstruation. This rarely happens.

Characteristics of discharge in the event of a 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 feel 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.

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.

What discharge during pregnancy is considered normal

This secretion does not pose a threat to health:

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

Clear fluid 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.

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, there are signs of pregnancy, 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.

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.

Infection is indicated by pain, pain, skin irritation, ulcers, smell of rot or fish, gray or green color, frothy discharge, 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?

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.
Isolation 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 go to 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.

Remember, despite the fact that pregnancy is a normal state of health of the female body, the diagnosis and treatment tactics are still 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 physician. By ignoring the symptoms or self-medicating, a pregnant woman risks not only her health, but also the health of her child.

Doctors of the Leleka maternity hospital manage pregnancies of any complexity, including those aggravated by infections, pathologies, and the threat of miscarriage. Our own diagnostic laboratory allows us to accurately and in the shortest possible time to obtain the results of the tests. Thanks to constant medical supervision throughout the entire period, the chances of a successful birth are greatly increased.

Trust the life and health of your child to Leleka doctors, and we will make sure that you are satisfied.

What is it? Normal and abnormal discharge during pregnancy

Today we will talk with Elena Yurievna Romanova, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Expert Center for Pregnancy Management at the Mother and Child Clinic, about what discharges during pregnancy should be feared and what discharges from the genital tract are regarded as normal.

Increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy is natural

Normal pregnancy discharge is milky white or clear mucus without a strong odor (although the smell may change from before pregnancy), this discharge does not irritate the skin and does not cause discomfort to the pregnant woman. The discharge can have a different color - from completely colorless (most often) to whitish and yellowish. The consistency of discharge at the beginning of pregnancy resembles raw chicken yolk - they are thick, jelly-like, often released in the form of clots.

With normal discharge, it is enough to use panty liners or change underwear twice a day.

Due to the activity of progesterone in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the discharge will be scarce and viscous.

Due to the increase in estrogen activity from 13 weeks, the discharge becomes less viscous and more abundant.

By the end of the pregnancy, vaginal discharge becomes more and more abundant. Each time you need to evaluate the nature of the discharge, change the gasket. If the fluid continues to ooze, this may mean leakage of amniotic fluid and the need to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist in the emergency department of a hospital with a maternity ward. There are auxiliary tests, thanks to which, as well as obstetric ultrasound, leakage of water can be excluded.

Not all discharge in pregnant women is the norm.

For example, a white, thick, crumbly, odorless discharge that itchs and burns the skin and causes discomfort during intercourse is likely a sign of a yeast infection (candidiasis).

White or grayish discharge, the smell of which after sex begins to resemble the smell of fish, is the main symptom of bacterial vaginosis, vaginal dysbacteriosis.

A yellowish or greenish discharge that has a strong unpleasant odor usually occurs with nonspecific vaginitis, and a foamy discharge is a sign of trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease.

In all these cases, contact your doctor immediately. It should not be treated with over-the-counter drugs and folk remedies. According to some external signs, a diagnosis cannot even be made by a doctor, in addition, infections in pregnant women should be treated especially carefully and only by a professional. After proper treatment, the discharge returns to normal. There is no need to get rid of the usual discharge for pregnant women. After childbirth, they will stop naturally, and before that they are a sign of the normal course of pregnancy.

Allocations can change their nature and amount under the influence of irritants or intolerance to a particular substance, for example, when using panty liners. Such secretions are transparent and abundant, they stop when the irritant is removed.

"Thrush" is a disease caused by fungi of the genus Candida, present in small quantities in all women. During pregnancy, immunity decreases and fungi begin to actively multiply, causing inflammation, abundant white flocculent discharge with a sour smell, burning and itching in the vulva. The disease can manifest itself throughout pregnancy.

Bloody discharge in the first half of pregnancy usually indicates a lack of the hormone progesterone, which can lead to spontaneous miscarriage. Discharge may be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. In the treatment of the threat of abortion, the appointment of progesterone drugs, such phenomena disappear.

If bleeding from the vagina appeared during pregnancy during the second or third trimester, then this is a sign of a formidable complication, namely, placenta previa or its premature detachment. With improper attachment of the placenta in the uterine cavity and overlapping of the placental tissue with the area of the internal pharynx, they speak of placenta previa. In this case, spotting occurs in a third of pregnant women. This most often occurs between 28 and 30 weeks, when the lower segment of the uterus is most prone to stretching and thinning. The discharge is repeated, the woman does not experience any pain, so it may be too late to see a doctor for an examination. This threatens the child with a lack of nutrients and oxygen, because it is through the placenta that the fetus is nourished. For a pregnant woman, this is fraught with acute placental abruption and severe bleeding, which is always problematic to stop, especially at home.

Bloody discharge during pregnancy should force a woman to immediately contact her obstetrician-gynecologist.

Brown discharge during pregnancy also indicates the threat of termination of pregnancy, or bleeding "erosion" (decidual polyp) of the cervix. Therefore, you should not understand these issues on your own; when brown discharge appears, it is better to consult your doctor.

Brown discharge during a delay in menstruation as a sign of an ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous. This condition requires immediate surgical care, as the growing embryo can rupture the wall of the fallopian tube at any time and cause internal bleeding. Therefore, with pain in the lower abdomen, which is accompanied by brown discharge from the genital tract and delayed menstruation, you should immediately call an ambulance.

When the vagina becomes inflamed, the mucous discharge acquires a mucopurulent character, a greenish-yellow color, an unpleasant odor, burning and itching appear in the genital area. This is how chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, trichomoniasis manifest themselves. Is it necessary to treat the infection during pregnancy, or is it better to do it after childbirth?

All sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women require treatment, as they can pass to the fetus and cause intrauterine infection (IUI). IUI is very dangerous for a child - it leads to his death or serious illness. Infection of a child during childbirth can lead to such serious complications as pneumonia, severe damage to the brain, kidneys, liver, and blood poisoning (sepsis).

Today, obstetricians and gynecologists have learned to treat any infection in pregnant women in accordance with special guidelines for the timing of pregnancy, so that it is effective and safe for mother and fetus. It is not the treatment that should be feared, but the infection itself and its consequences.

Medicines that are used to treat pregnant women have passed the necessary clinical trials, during which it was proved that they do not have a negative effect on the pregnant woman and the fetus, including that they do not have a teratogenic effect (do not cause deformities in the fetus).

Sometimes the discharge is mucous in nature, occurs upon contact with an irritant or allergen. It can be synthetic tight underwear, allergies to fabrics, toiletries, personal care products. If irritation and allergens are not eliminated in time, then an infection that lives on the mucous membranes of the genital organs will definitely join.

Hygiene measures are mandatory for pregnant women. Twice a day you need to take a warm shower, using special gels for pregnant women to wash the genitals. Be sure to monitor the cleanliness of the whole body and underwear - it must be changed daily. Pads (but not tampons!) can be used for discharge. The oral cavity can become the source of infection, so you need to monitor your teeth, brush them twice a day and get an examination by a dentist. Good nutrition strengthens the immunity of a pregnant woman. The diet should contain fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish, daily dairy products, vegetable oil, a variety of cereals.