Introduction
Pregnancy Discharge- Vaginal discharge can be a sign of early pregnancy if it is a thin clear, or milky white liquid.
Vaginal discharge is a natural substance that comes out of a women’s vaginal, and it can tell a lot about their body, including whether they have an infection, where they are in their menstrual cycle, and even their level of hydration.
An increase in vaginal discharge is caused by hormonal changes, particularly the rise in estrogen, which boosts blood flow to the pelvic area and stimulates the mucous membranes.
Pregnancy Discharge
In early pregnancy, a woman might experience a slight increase in vaginal discharge. Hormonal changes cause it. Increased discharge also helps protect the fetus by preventing external infections from traveling up from the vagina to the uterus.
What does it look like?
Healthy vaginal discharge during pregnancy is called leukorrhea. It is similar to everyday discharge, meaning that it is thin, clear, milky white, and smells mild. However, pregnancy can cause the amount of discharge to increase
What to Expect with Pregnancy Discharge:
Normal Discharge:
- Appearance: Thin, white or creamy.
- Smell: Mild or no odor.
- Volume: It may increase as pregnancy progresses, especially during the second and third trimesters.
- Purpose: Helps to protect the birth canal from infection and keeps the vagina clean.
When to be Concerned:
- Color changes: If the discharge turns yellow, green, or gray.
- Texture: If it becomes clumpy, cottage cheese-like (indicating a yeast infection), or frothy.
- Odor: A strong, foul smell could be a sign of an infection.
- Accompanied by itching, burning, or irritation: This could suggest a vaginal infection like a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- Watery discharge: This may indicate leaking amniotic fluid, which could require medical attention.
Other signs of early pregnancy
Unhealthy discharge can:
- be foul smelling
- be green or yellow
- be lumpy
- accompany itchiness around the vagina
- accompany pain during urination
A woman should contact a healthcare professional if she experiences unhealthy discharge because it can be a sign of an infection.
Common Causes of Changes in Discharge:
- Yeast infections: More common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
- Bacterial vaginosis: An imbalance in vaginal bacteria can cause abnormal discharge.
- STIs: May cause changes in discharge and require treatment to avoid complications.
- Amniotic fluid leakage: If watery and continuous, it may be a sign that the amniotic sac has ruptured.