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Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: What’s Normal and What’s Not Normal?
Noticed vaginal discharge during pregnancy? Learn about normal and abnormal vaginal discharge, what to expect and when to seek medical advice.
Vaginal discharge is an incredibly common, normal, and often necessary part of pregnancy. Most women will notice that their vaginal discharge increases soon after conception. Vaginal discharge can vary in colour, texture and amount as your pregnancy progresses through the trimesters. While these changes are usually normal, it's important to know how to recognise changes which require a medical review.
What Is Normal Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy?
Vaginal discharge is called leukorrhea in the medical world. Healthy pregnancy discharge is clear or milky white in colour and has a slippery or sticky consistency.
Normal pregnancy discharge should not have a potent or offensive odour.
It is the increased blood flow to the pelvic region alongside the rising levels of the hormone oestrogen during pregnancy which cause the increase in the amount of discharge.
Pregnancy discharge plays a crucial role in protecting the vagina and womb from infections and keeping the vagina clean, moist and healthy.
Changes in Discharge Throughout Pregnancy
As your pregnancy progresses, it's normal for the volume, consistency, and colour of vaginal discharge to change. This is a common reaction to the hormonal shifts taking place in your body.
Discharge during your first trimester
In the first trimester, it is normal to notice an increase in the regular milky white discharge (leukorrhea). This is caused by the rise in hormones that occurs right after conception.
Vaginal discharge can turn brownish in colour around the time your period is due, this is known as implantation bleeding. If you notice any bleeding, you should always get it checked out by a midwife or doctor.
Discharge during your second trimester
The volume of regular, clear, or milky-white discharge typically continues to increase as you go through your second trimester. This is normal, it’s your body's way of keeping itself clean and free from infection.
Discharge during your third trimester
In the third trimester you can expect to see the amount of vaginal discharge increase even further. You may notice a considerable change in consistency near the end of your pregnancy, typically in the last week. The discharge can become thicker, more jelly-like, and streaked with a small amount of pink mucus.
This blood stained jelly-like discharge is called a "show". It happens when the mucus plug which sealed the cervical canal during pregnancy comes away. It can come away in one big blob, or it can come away bit by bit over several days or even weeks. Either way, it's a positive sign that your body is preparing itself for the birth. If you notice any leaking or gushing of clear fluid this might mean your waters have broken, it is incredibly important that you get this checked out by your midwife or doctor.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Healthy vaginal discharge should never be grayish in colour, or have a foul, unpleasant or fishy odour. These signs usually suggest an infection called Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). BV is caused by an imbalance of normal healthy bacteria (this is known as microbiome) in the vagina. It usually requires treatment with antibiotics to restore bacterial balance. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's essential you let your midwife or doctor know.
Vaginal thrush is a fungal infection caused by an excess growth of yeast (candida). If present, discharge can be clumpy or have a texture similar to cottage cheese. It is important to let your midwife or doctor know if you have these symptoms. It is very easily treated with antifungal creams and pessaries.
If you notice any burning or pain when passing urine this could indicate a urine infection, it's critical you let your midwife or doctor know if you have either of these symptoms.
If you notice a sudden, persistent leak or gush of clear or slightly pink fluid, inform your midwife or doctor, as this could be an indication of early labour or ruptured membranes.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STI’s) such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and pelvic inflammatory disease can present with greenish yellow discharge accompanied by itching and burning in and around the vaginal tract. You must let your midwife or doctor know if you experience any of these symptoms.
How to Care for Your Vaginal Health During Pregnancy
A few simple steps are all you need to keep your vaginal discharge healthy during your pregnancy:
- Knickers should be made of breathable cotton
- The vagina should be kept clean by washing the outer vaginal area only with non perfumed soap and water
- Always wipe from front to back, avoid perfumed soaps and shower gels.
- Never wash inside the vagina as this will upset the normal healthy bacteria (microbiome) and will increase your risk of contracting an infection.
Common Myths About Discharge During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be such a rollercoaster of worry when it comes to knowing what body changes are normal and what's not! Separating the myths from facts is so important when it comes to providing reassurance.
The first and most common myth is that all discharge is bad and is a sure sign of infection; this is false, our vaginas need healthy, clear or milky-white discharge to help keep it clean and to protect us from infection.
The next myth is that any change in colour always means an infection. This is not true. Yes, green or yellow discharge is a red flag. However, if healthy clear or milky-white discharge dries on clothing it can turn yellow and this is perfectly normal. The main signs of infection are an offensive odour or a cottage cheese texture.
Lastly, the myth that you need to wash inside the vagina to clean away extra discharge is incorrect. Washing inside the vagina should be avoided, it will disturb the balance of healthy bacteria and increase your risk of infection.
Conclusion
Vaginal discharge is a healthy, normal, physiological process during pregnancy and is rarely anything to worry about.
The increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy is a protective mechanism of your body.
Wearing breathable cotton underwear and attending to vaginal hygiene will reduce your risk of infections.
Keeping an eye on the colour, smell, and consistency of your vaginal discharge and letting your doctor or midwife know of any unusual changes are the best steps you can take.
FAQs around pregnancy discharge
Normal healthy discharge is known as leukorrhea. It should be clear, or milky-white in colour, with a sticky or slippery texture, and should not have an offensive odour.
Yes, a thick, jelly-like discharge, called a "show", often blood stained, is a sign that the body is getting ready for birth. Also, a sudden, substantial gush or continuous leak of clear or straw coloured liquid may be a sign that your waters have broken.
Yes, it is normal to have vaginal discharge every day throughout the entire pregnancy.
There is no guarantee that we can completely prevent an infection during pregnancy, however we can take steps to significantly reduce the risk of infection by wearing breathable, cotton underwear, avoiding perfumed soaps and shower gels, and not washing inside the vagina.
You should only be concerned if the discharge develops an offensive odour, becomes lumpy or has a cottage cheese like texture and is accompanied by itching, burning or soreness in and around the vagina.
