Early pregnancy discharge -Important Tips

Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy 

Early pregnancy vaginal discharge is a common change during pregnancy. It is a symptom of early pregnancy. Having more vaginal discharge during pregnancy is common, but speak to your midwife or doctor if you are unsure about any increase or change in your vaginal discharge. 

In this article, you will learn about which symptoms of vaginal discharge are normal and which symptoms are a concern. 

All women, whether they’re pregnant or not, have some vaginal discharge starting a year or two before puberty and ending after the menopause. 

It is normal to have vaginal discharge in early pregnancy. It helps prevent ascending infections from the vagina to the uterus.

Increased vaginal discharge

It’s one of the less-talked about symptoms of pregnancy, but for many women, increased vaginal discharge is one of the first signs they’re expecting.

Increased vaginal discharge happens when the mucous plug starts to form around the opening of the cervix. This is the plug that will help protect your baby during pregnancy, which can lead to a light, milky white discharge that’s odourless or almost odour-free. It is nothing to worry about, and using a maternity liner can help you feel more comfortable. 

It is important to note that in the last week of your pregnancy, the amount of vaginal discharge increases. At this time, it may contain streaks of sticky, pink, jelly-like mucus.

If infection is not the cause of the vaginal discharge, then there is not much that can be done to get rid of the flow. Panty liners may help a little to absorb the discharge.

Cervical Mucus

You can monitor your pregnancy very early on by keeping an eye on your cervical mucus production. Detecting implantation by taking a look at the composition of the mucus will let you know that you’re past the stage of conception.

After you take a bath, make sure to dry your genitals properly. If you go swimming or engage in exercise be sure to wipe your genital area till it’s perfectly dry. Any moisture or wetness in the area will allow bacteria to grow which leaves you open to infections and can cause severe complications in the pregnancy.

Also, it can be difficult to deal with the suddenly increased  early pregnancy vaginal discharge. One good way to handle it is to use panty liners or smaller and thinner pads. These will help you to keep your vaginal area and panty dry and therefore prevent chances of infections.

Yeast

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.

It is normal to find yeast in the vaginal flora. However, vaginal yeast infections happen when the naturally occurring fungus in the vagina grow out of control. Changing hormones disturb the natural balance of yeast in the vagina.

Also, yeast uses sugar as fuel and sugar in the discharge increases during pregnancy. Yeast infections cause vaginal odor to smell like yeast or bread. It also causes itching and discomfort.

So the goal is not to finish the yeast but to reduce the excessive yeast growth within the vagina to restore the healthy balance. The treatment comprises antifungal agents that may be given in tablet form or as vaginal suppositories or creams. Over-the-counter medicines may also be used. But keeping pregnancy in mind, each and every medicine must be approved by the healthcare professional.

Cervical Polyps

Cervical Polyps form in the passage between the uterus and the cervical canal. They are finger like projections that are smooth and red in color. When they get, infected and swell, they cause production of green yellow discharge that has a foul smell.

Pregnancy

If an egg becomes fertilized, it will embed itself in the uterine lining about 1 to 2 weeks later. This will cause some of the blood that makes up this lining to break loose and drops into the vagina. As this blood moves through the cervix it can mix with the natural vagina discharge, causing it to turn a pinkish color. This spotting may also appear dark brown in color depending on the age of the blood. 

Leukorrhea

Leukorrhea is a vagina discharge in pregnancy. It also known as leucorrhea is the medical term for a thin milky white odorless vaginal discharge that many women see in early pregnancy and throughout their pregnancy.

Yes, it’s perfectly normal starting from early pregnancy until your baby is born. What you’re noticing is probably leukorrhea – the odorless or mild-smelling milky white discharge that you may have had before you got pregnant.

Bacterial vaginosis

You may have thin white or gray discharge with a fishy smell which is more noticeable after sex, when the discharge mixes with semen. This might be a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis.

It may look like a white discharge. It can also be an egg white looking discharge. If you are concerned about your discharge just ask your doctor. They know these things. They will put your mind at ease.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Women who are pregnant can become infected with the same STDs as women who are not pregnant. Pregnancy does not provide women or their babies any additional protection against STDs.

In rare cases, infections of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries can cause pink or red discharge to appear. Some sexually transmitted diseases can cause discoloration of the vaginal discharge. 

Late pregnancy discharge:

Amniotic fluid

A woman’s amniotic fluid can also start to leak just before she gives birth. It may also come as a gush that indicates labor has begun.

Within a couple weeks of delivery there may be a large amount of jelly-like discharge. This is the mucus plug that blocks the cervix and is a sign that the cervix is dilating. If it is blood streaked or pink it means that labor may begin with in 24 hours. 

Vaginal bleeding or discharge after childbirth

This is vaginal bleeding, spotting or discharge that occurs after childbirth. It is important to talk about this, because it may be serious and require medical attention. Those that have just given birth can frequently experience vaginal discharge afterward. As the baby is expelled out of the vagina, it can push a great deal of tissue as well.

A woman will frequently experience bleeding or discharge as her body heals. This can last for several days with the discharge gradually lightening in color. If you continue to experience heavy bleeding or you experience severe pain after giving birth you may have an issue that requires medical attention. 

Final thoughts on early pregnancy discharge

There is need for you to take better care of yourself starting from early pregnancy through to childbirth.

You should be able to manage your early pregnancy discharge and achieve optimal health for you and your baby.

For example, do not wear any dirty or smeared underwear for long periods. The wetness will make your vagina the perfect area for bacteria to breed and cause infections.

Make sure you do not use vaginal douches. They end up washing away the healthy bacteria that help to prevent infections and can leave you susceptible to them which puts your pregnancy at risk from complications.

Finally, the underwear you wear should always be made of cotton. Other fabrics such as silk, latex, etc. can cause irritation and leave you open to infections.

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