If white discharge pregnancy
Vaginal discharge - NHS
You will always have some vaginal discharge starting a year or 2 before puberty and ending after the menopause.
How much discharge you have changes from time to time. It usually gets heavier just before your period. When you're pregnant, it's normal to have more discharge than before.
Healthy vaginal discharge is usually thin, clear or milky white, and should not smell unpleasant.
Non-urgent advice: Call your midwife if you have vaginal discharge and:
- it smells unpleasant or strange
- it is green or yellow
- you feel itchy or sore around your vagina
- you have pain when you pee
Any of these could be symptoms of a vaginal infection.
Urgent advice: Urgent
Contact your midwife or doctor immediately if you have any vaginal bleeding while you're pregnant.
Is it normal to have vaginal discharge in pregnancy?
Yes. It is normal to have more vaginal discharge in pregnancy. This helps prevent any infections travelling up from the vagina to the womb.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the amount of discharge increases further. In the last week or so of pregnancy, it may contain streaks of sticky, jelly-like pink mucus.
This is called a "show", and happens when the mucus that's been present in your cervix during pregnancy comes away.
It's a sign that the body is starting to prepare for birth. You may have a few small "shows" in the days before you go into labour.
Read more about the signs that labour has begun.
Thrush in pregnancy
Thrush is an infection that can cause unusual vaginal discharge.
if you get thrush when you're pregnant, it can easily be treated - talk to your midwife or doctor.
Thrush can cause:
- increased vaginal discharge which is usually white (like cottage cheese), and does not usually smell
- itching and irritation around the vagina
Always talk to your doctor, pharmacist or midwife if you think you have thrush, as there are some thrush medicines you should not use while you're pregnant.
You can help prevent thrush by wearing loose cotton underwear. You may find it helps to avoid perfumed soap or perfumed bath products.
Find out more about vaginal discharge.
Page last reviewed: 31 March 2021
Next review due: 31 March 2024
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
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All women, whether they’re pregnant or not, have some vaginal discharge starting a year or 2 before puberty and ending after the menopause.
How much discharge you have changes from time to time and it usually gets heavier just before your period.
Is it normal to have vaginal discharge in pregnancy?
Almost all women have more vaginal discharge in pregnancy. This is quite normal and happens for a few reasons. During pregnancy the cervix (neck of the womb) and vaginal walls get softer and discharge increases to help prevent any infections travelling up from the vagina to the womb. Increased levels of the hormones progesterone can also make you produce more fluid.
Increased discharge is a normal part of pregnancy, but it’s important to keep an eye on it and tell your doctor or midwife if it changes in any way.
How does vaginal discharge change during pregnancy?
Increased discharge can be a sign that you are pregnant — though many things can influence vaginal discharge so you can’t be sure this is the reason.
The amount of discharge may increase throughout the pregnancy. Towards the end, there may be so much you confuse it with urine.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the amount of discharge increases and can be confused with urine.
In the last week or so of pregnancy, your discharge may contain streaks of thick mucus and some blood. This is called a 'show' and happens when the mucus that has been present in your cervix during pregnancy comes away. It's a sign that the body is starting to prepare for birth, and you may have a few small 'shows' in the days before you go into labour.
When to see your midwife or doctor
You should tell your midwife or doctor if your vaginal discharge increases a lot in later pregnancy. If you have any vaginal bleeding in pregnancy, you should contact your midwife or doctor urgently, as it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem such as a miscarriage or a problem with the placenta.
Normal healthy discharge should:
- be clear and white
- not smell bad
Tell your midwife or doctor if:
- the discharge is coloured (greenish or brownish)
- there is blood in the discharge
- it smells strange
- you feel itchy or sore
If the discharge is coloured or smells strange, or if you feel itchy or sore, you may have a vaginal infection such as thrush, which your doctor can treat easily, or bacterial vaginosis.
Do not try to treat it yourself — always talk to your doctor, pharmacist or midwife if you think you have an infection.
You can help prevent thrush by wearing loose cotton underwear, and some women find it helps to avoid perfumed soap or perfumed bath products.
Sources:
Mater Mother’s Hospital (Pregnancy - information for women and families), NSW Health (Having a baby), Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (Hormonal health – clues made clear)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: November 2020
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Related pages
- Common discomforts during pregnancy
- Vaginal thrush during pregnancy
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2nd trimester of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus
2nd trimester of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus - Private maternity hospital Ekaterininskaya ClinicsMost women enjoy the 2nd trimester of pregnancy more than the first, with the disappearance of morning sickness, breast tenderness and fatigue. But be prepared for some other symptoms to appear!
- Pain. As a result of stretching of the tissues of the body, you may experience pain in the sides and under the abdomen. Weight gain can cause back pain and leg cramps. The doctor will advise you on simple exercises for such cases. nine0008
- Stuffy nose. Increased hormone levels can lead to nasal congestion and nosebleeds.
- Soft gums. Your gums tend to bleed, so oral hygiene requires special attention and careful brushing.
- Skin itching. The skin of the abdomen may itch as a result of stretching associated with the growth of the child. Try to use a moisturizer daily to avoid stretch marks. nine0008
- Varicose veins and hemorrhoids. During pregnancy, you will be more susceptible to varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Try not to stand or sit for too long, and avoid crossing your legs while sitting. If discomfort or pain occurs in the anus, the doctor may prescribe a remedy for hemorrhoids.
- Vaginal discharge. A white, thin vaginal discharge called leucorrhea is normal during this period of pregnancy. These secretions help keep the vagina healthy. If you find discharge of a different type or color, contact your doctor for advice. nine0008
- Violation of skin pigmentation. Pregnancy hormones may contribute to the appearance of dark spots on the face and abdomen. The sun can exacerbate the appearance of spots, so use sunscreen when you go outside.
Sun exposure without skin protection is contraindicated! - Shortness of breath. As your lungs allow more oxygen to meet your baby's needs, you may experience shortness of breath or a faster rate of breathing.
- Increased appetite. As your child grows, you may feel hungry all the time, but there is no need to "eat for two". If you need to snack, choose healthy foods like fruit or yogurt.
The main stages of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy
- The first time you can feel the baby moving at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy. This phenomenon is called "revival" and is initially felt as a flutter in the abdomen.
- As your baby grows, your belly will grow. nine0008
2nd trimester baby development
End of 2nd trimester:
- Your baby moves and responds to touch and sound.
- Eyelids begin to open, eyebrows and eyelashes are visible.
- The skin is covered with fine, downy hairs and a creamy white substance called primordial lubrication.
- Swallowing and sucking reflexes develop.
- Hair began to grow on the head.
- Fingerprint lines have formed on the fingers. nine0008
- Baby's body length is about 23 cm from head to lower torso.
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why they appear in the early and late periods, in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester, what to do at home
Expectant mothers are worried about any changes in the body.
Noticing an unusual white discharge, some pregnant women begin to worry. "Komsomolskaya Pravda" together with obstetrician-gynecologist Susanna Grigoryan and obstetrician-gynecologist, ultrasound diagnostics doctor, Ph.D.
Characteristics of white discharge during pregnancy
White discharge is distinguished by the following characteristics.
| Color | Available in clear, whitish or light colors. |
| Smell | Should normally be absent, but slight sourness is acceptable. |
| Structure | There should be no bloody inclusions, lumps, curdled flakes. |
| Consistency | May be slimy, runny, thick or viscous. nine0109 |
| Feelings | Discharge should not be accompanied by pain, burning, itching, swelling of the vaginal mucosa. |
Liquid consistency
Sometimes a thin white discharge seems so normal that it is difficult for a doctor to recognize signs of pathology in them. However, they can be one of the symptoms of an infectious-inflammatory disease. For example, a fishy smell may indicate a violation of the vaginal microflora, and blood streaks - about inflammation of the cervix or its erosion. Also, such discharge may occur due to an allergic reaction to intimate hygiene products or pads. nine0003
Cheesy consistency
Cheesey discharge usually indicates candidiasis. May be accompanied by a sour smell, burning and itching. Unpleasant symptoms are aggravated after sexual contact, water procedures and at night. During pregnancy, the disease worsens due to changes in hormonal levels.
The danger of pathology for the expectant mother 一 the risk of losing a child. The appearance of symptoms of candidiasis before childbirth increases the risk of infection of the child at the time of his passage through the birth canal. nine0003
Creamy consistency
Whitish-transparent creamy discharge due to increased blood flow to the vagina. (1) Congested blood vessels cause temporary disturbances in the functioning of the bladder, ureters, and kidneys. The reproductive system reacts to changes with abundant secretions, similar to cream.
Photo: @mart-production, pexels.comMucus discharge
Mucous discharge that is not accompanied by an unpleasant odor, burning or itching is considered normal. This is the result of the formation of a mucous plug that prevents infections from entering the vagina. The mucous secretion may acquire a milky hue, contain dense clots. The formation of a cork is completed by about the 12th week of pregnancy, then the nature of the discharge changes.
nine0003
Foamy discharge
A common cause of frothy discharge during pregnancy is trichomoniasis. Illness in the early stages can lead to miscarriage. Self-treatment is strictly contraindicated. Having found foamy discharge, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible and follow all the instructions.
Why white discharge appears during early pregnancy
– Vaginal discharge without unpleasant symptoms is an absolute norm and is observed in most pregnant women, says obstetrician-gynecologist Daiva Pikauskaite. - From the first to the third trimester, their number increases. nine0003
However, there are also warning signs:
- color change to reddish or greenish;
- significant and abrupt increase in excretions;
- odor change;
- burning, itching or pain.
Any of these factors is a reason to see a doctor as soon as possible. (2)
1st trimester
Conceiving a child always affects a woman's body.
Hormonal changes begin, often accompanied by light or white discharge. Also, the cause of secretion is the fixation of the embryo in the uterine cavity or the formation of a mucous plug that protects the embryo from infection. nine0003
Over time, the amount of discharge decreases. They become more viscous and transparent.
Why white discharge occurs during late pregnancy
White discharge is most often safe in late pregnancy.
- Slight, odorless discharge is normal. Usually they are transparent or slightly milky in color. The consistency is reminiscent of raw egg white, - says obstetrician-gynecologist Daiva Pikauskaite, - the secretions are mainly protective, preventing ascending infection of the fetus. nine0003
2nd trimester
During the 2nd trimester, a thin, white discharge is normal. (3) They help keep the vagina healthy. The main thing is that there should be no foreign inclusions and smell. Any deviation from the norm is a reason to contact a gynecologist.
3rd trimester
Toward the end of pregnancy, white discharge may indicate the following processes:
- the mucous plug begins to move;
- the head of the fetus is pressed closer to the exit from the birth canal, that is, to the cervix; nine0008
- amniotic fluid leakage (usually occurs later in pregnancy).
– In the event of unusual discharge and an increase in its amount, you should immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will assess the nature of the secretions and their volume in order to exclude leakage of amniotic fluid and the presence of infectious and inflammatory diseases, explains obstetrician-gynecologist Suzanna Grigoryan.
How to deal with white discharge during pregnancy at home
- If the discharge does not bother you, then nothing needs to be done about it, especially at home, - says Daiva Pikauskaite. - It is only important to observe intimate hygiene, undergo examinations at the doctor on time and take the necessary tests.
For any warning signs, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist.
Frequently asked questions and answers
White discharge is most often the norm during pregnancy. However, expectant mothers may be concerned. The most popular questions are answered by gynecologists Daiva Pikauskaite and Susanna Grigoryan. nine0003
What should you not do when you notice a white discharge?
If the discharge bothers you, do not do the following:
● use medications on your own;
● Douching or sitz baths with medicinal herbs;
● use soap for intimate hygiene, it dries out the mucous membranes, their protective functions are impaired;
● Wear panty liners or synthetic underwear.
How to distinguish amniotic fluid from abundant discharge?
At the end of pregnancy, the amount of discharge increases. Often they become so plentiful that it seems to the expectant mother that her water is leaking.
It is possible to distinguish amniotic fluid from secretions.
The discharge is thicker and leaves a dried stain or characteristic white color on the laundry.
Amniotic fluid is water. It doesn't stretch and doesn't leave marks when it dries.
In case of doubt, it is best to consult a doctor, who will accurately determine the cause. Also, the pharmacy sells special tests that show whether there is water leakage. nine0003
Can I use the pool if I have white discharge?
If the discharge does not bother, the pregnant woman can swim in the pool, river, sea and any other body of water. In case of doubt, it is recommended to obtain a doctor's approval.
Sources
- Cervicitis in pregnant women / Sverdlova E.S. // 2010. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/tservitsity-u-beremennyh
- Bacterial infections during pregnancy / Zheksembayeva G.K., Zhumadullaeva G.S., Kadirsizova G.K., Musaeva R.G. // 2011.
