Discharge During Pregnancy

Discharge during pregnancy is usually a major complaint among pregnant women and can often be a cause for concern. However, discharge in pregnancy is very natural and usually no cause for concern.

Discharge in Early Pregnancy
Leukorrhea is the name of the vaginal discharge experienced during pregnancy. Leukorrhea is typically clear to whitish in color with either mild or no odor. This increased discharge is a result of elevated levels of estrogen and increased blood flow to the vaginal area.

There is no remedy for lessening the discharge during pregnancy. In fact, it is a necessary part of a normal, healthy pregnancy. You can, however, make yourself more confortable by using panty liners and changing them often as well as bathing often in order to feel more fresh.

Pregnant Discharge in Late Pregnancy
Discharge during pregnancy in the last trimester can be due to dislodging of the mucus plug, a thick protective barrier that plugs the cervix in order to protect the baby from harmful bacteria.

Getting closer to the woman's due date, her cervix will begin to thin out and widen, potentially causing portions of the mucus plug to break off. This can occur in small bits at a time or all at once.

It is not uncommon for the mucus plug to be slightly pink or brownish, a sign that your body is nearing the time of delivery. All pregnancies are different, however, so be sure to relay any changes you notice to your physician or midwife. The mucus plug should remain intact early on in the pregnancy and could be a sign of trouble if occuring too early on in the pregnancy.

Other Causes for Discharge During Pregnancy
Pregnancy discharge can also be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease or yeast infection. Each of these conditions needs to be evaluated by your healthcare provider.

Some signs of STD include foul-smelling, foamy, yellow, or green discharge. Any unusual discharge should be reported to your physician or midwife,
especially if you are at risk for an STD, which is a definite health risk to you and your unborn baby. It is important to not try to treat yourself for these infections while pregnant, as some medications are unsafe to take in pregnancy.

Some signs of a yeast infection include foul-smelling or lumpy discharge, or vulvar itching and burning. Yeast infections tend occur more during the second trimester due to the constant changes in the vaginal environment, including an increase in sugars. If you suspect a yeast infection in pregnancy, notify your provider as soon as possible in order to bring it under control.