Normal discharge early 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

Thick white discharge (leukorrhea) in early pregnancy

Pregnancy
Your Body

By Karisa Ding

May 27, 2020

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.

Photo credit: Jianing Pan for BabyCenter

What does creamy white discharge mean during pregnancy?
When is vaginal discharge in pregnancy a warning sign of a problem?
Can changes in my discharge be an early sign of pregnancy?
How can I tell if this is vaginal discharge or my mucus plug?
How can I tell if this is vaginal discharge or amniotic fluid?
What can I do about vaginal discharge during pregnancy?

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.

When is vaginal discharge in pregnancy a warning sign of a problem?

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.

Can changes in my discharge be an early sign of pregnancy?

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.

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

Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

ACOG. 2015. Vulvovaginal health. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/womens-health/vulvovaginal-health [Accessed May 2020]

ACOG. 2016. Practice bulletin 172: Premature rupture of membranes. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27661655/ [Accessed May 2020]

OWH. 2017. Labor and birth. U.S. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-and-beyond/labor-and-birth [Accessed May 2020]

UpToDate. Undated. Patient education: Vaginal discharge in adults (The basics). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vaginal-discharge-in-adults-the-basics [Accessed May 2020]

UpToDate. 2019. Patient education: Vaginal discharge in adult women (Beyond the basics). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vaginal-discharge-in-adult-women-beyond-the-basics [Accessed May 2020]

UpToDate. 2017. Management of normal labor and delivery. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/management-of-normal-labor-and-delivery [Accessed May 2020]

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ᐉ Discharge during pregnancy ➡ What are the discharge at different times

Pregnancy is a time of serious physiological restructuring of a woman's body. Under the influence of hormones, the body of the expectant mother changes, adaptive-protective mechanisms are activated, the work of all organs and systems is directed to bearing a child and successful delivery. Changes in the nature of vaginal discharge is one of the reasons for concern during early and late pregnancy. Discharge during pregnancy can be dark, light, brown, bloody, spotting, not typically liquid and plentiful, with or without odor - which of them are considered normal, and which ones need to urgently run to the gynecology? Read our article. nine0003

What is normal discharge during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the level of activity of hormones increases, the metabolism accelerates, in connection with this, the volume of vaginal discharge may increase.

What should be the normal discharge during pregnancy:

Transparent, homogeneous mucous, not viscous.
Color whitish or slightly yellowish.
No repulsive odor. Normally, the aroma is slightly sour. nine0012
May be more abundant than usual in quantity, especially in the first weeks (as during ovulation, before conception).
Without other symptoms - itching, burning, redness, hyperemia and swelling of the vulva, pain and discomfort.

During late pregnancy, the discharge is mixed with urine - the result of incontinence due to the pressure of the growing uterus on the bladder. This is also a variant of the norm, just try to visit the toilet more often.

When you need to see a doctor for discharge

During pregnancy, it is important to periodically see an obstetrician-gynecologist, and the first question that the doctor asks at the consultation is is there any unusual discharge? It is by the nature of the vaginal secret that one can judge the course of pregnancy, the presence of hormonal imbalance, inflammation and other health problems. Signs of pathological discharge:

Curdled consistency, the presence of white clots with an unpleasant sour smell - with vaginal candidiasis. This is a fungal infection that is activated against the background of hormonal changes, occurs in 30% of women during pregnancy. In addition to the characteristic discharge, thrush is accompanied by itching, redness and rashes in the vulva. nine0012
Unpleasant aroma, atypical color and consistency are signs of dysbacteriosis or infection with bacteria, parasites. The most common sexually transmitted infections are chlamydia, Trichomonas, and gonococci. Atypical discharge is accompanied by pain, itching, skin rashes, ulcers, swollen lymph nodes in the groin. During pregnancy, STIs are especially dangerous: they can cause miscarriage, premature birth, placental insufficiency and abnormal development of the unborn child. If infections are detected in a pregnant woman, treatment is necessary. nine0012
Bloody, brown discharge, sometimes with clots - may occur with the threat of fetal loss, ectopic pregnancy or the presence of pathologies of the cervix. Blood discharge during pregnancy is usually accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen - with such symptoms, urgent medical attention is needed.

To find out the exact cause of changes in the vaginal secretion, a doctor's consultation and examination (ultrasound, tests) is necessary.

What can be discharge during early pregnancy? nine0005

Normal discharge in early pregnancy - translucent, whitish or yellowish, without foreign smell, itching and skin irritation. During the first month, the secret is released more abundantly than always, and from 5 to 20 weeks, its volume decreases to the usual, the consistency becomes more liquid and transparent.

In the first days of pregnancy, due to slight damage to the blood vessels of the myometrium during the implantation of a fertilized egg, there may be a spotting brown discharge. Usually they are scarce and short-term, pass in a couple of days. nine0003

Can there be spotting during early pregnancy - a frequent topic of discussion in women's forums. If the bleeding is severe and even more so accompanied by pain, urgently call an ambulance. The cause may be a threatened miscarriage or a miscarriage that has already begun, a tubal pregnancy, or a hydatidiform mole.

Brown discharge during early pregnancy (at 5, 6, 7 weeks), even without pain and foreign smell, is another reason not to postpone a visit to the gynecologist. Such symptoms often indicate a threatened miscarriage or missed abortion. nine0003

Discharge in late pregnancy

From the 20th week of pregnancy, a whitish discharge without blood, clots or foreign smell is normal. In the last three months, from 7 to 9, you need to pay special attention to the quality and volume of vaginal secretions:

Too abundant, watery discharge may be the result of leakage of amniotic fluid. The risk of such a problem increases from 18-20 weeks and later. Amniotic fluid is released when the fetal membrane is ruptured, it leaks especially strongly when moving or changing position. If you find this - do not delay a visit to the doctor. nine0012
Spots of gray or yellowish coloration on linen in combination with liquid, non-viscous discharge may indicate the onset of labor - the release of the mucous plug and the outflow of amniotic fluid. Need medical help.
The presence of brown or bloody discharge during late pregnancy is one of the likely signs of a dangerous pathology, premature placental abruption.

Discharge during pregnancy: differences in color

The color of vaginal discharge, as well as other characteristics (smell, volume, density) is an important indicator of health and the absence of complications during pregnancy. Normally, the secret is colorless, slightly whitish or yellowish. Color changes should be a concern:

Greenish-yellow, frothy discharge is a sign of trichomoniasis.
Greyish-white secret of a sticky, frothy consistency with a fishy smell - a manifestation of gardnerellosis.
Greenish-yellow, mucous or purulent, sometimes blood-tinged symptoms of gonorrhea.
White or yellow, thick discharge with lumps - a sign of candidiasis.
Brown, spotting, pink or red mucus (not during the first weeks of pregnancy, but later) - indicate the threat of interruption, uterine polyps and other disorders. nine0012

If there are changes in the shade and other characteristics of the discharge during pregnancy, an examination is necessary. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, a course of therapy will be required.

Spotting during pregnancy

Even slight spotting during pregnancy, regardless of the duration, requires a doctor's consultation. Bleeding in the first 12 weeks may result in miscarriage. In the second and third trimester, blood can signal a uterine rupture along the scar, damage to the cervix, placental abruption, or the onset of preterm labor. Such conditions pose a threat to life for mother and baby. nine0003

Blood discharge during pregnancy is not necessarily a sign of the onset of a miscarriage and 100% loss of the fetus. With timely access to a doctor, in many cases it is possible to save the child. This may require hospitalization with the appointment of hormone therapy, magnesium drips and other supportive measures.

Be careful not to ignore warning signs! Regular visits to the gynecologist will help maintain the health of mother and child.

articles of the Oxford Medical clinic Kyiv

Contents:

What discharge during pregnancy is considered normal?
When should you see a doctor for discharge?
Pregnancy Statements
Pregnancy in the late pregnancy
Characteristics of the discharge during color
During pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes a number of physiological changes - her body changes, adapts to the bearing of the 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? nine0005

The nature of the discharge at different stages of pregnancy may vary slightly. The following are considered a variant of the norm:

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. nine0003

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 pregnancy complications. To find out the exact cause, you need to do tests, conduct an ultrasound and, if necessary, other studies. nine0003

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. nine0003

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.

Late pregnancy discharge

From the 20th to 40th week of pregnancy, the discharge is normally white, free of impurities and unpleasant odor. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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: