What Does Vaginal Discharge Look Like When Pregnant

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

Any discharge that is green, smells unpleasant, hurts or itches, or otherwise seems out of the ordinary may indicate an infection or another issue. Also, call your doctor or midwife right away if:

Youre 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 youre continuously leaking clear and watery fluid, these can be signs that your water has broken or youre in preterm labor.

Your vulva looks inflamed, or you have an odorless, whitish discharge thats 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 challenging to determine when symptoms indicate a problem, and even if you don’t experience typical symptoms like itchiness, burning, or irritation, you still might have a vaginal or STI infection.

Do not attempt to treat yourself with over-the-counter medications or “feminine hygiene” products if you are in pain or suspect an infection. Many of these products are advertised in a way that makes you believe you have a problem when in fact you don’t And using them can aggravate an already sensitive area. Visit your healthcare provider instead to get the proper diagnosis and care.

What does creamy white discharge mean during pregnancy?

Even before pregnancy, having a mildly scented milky white discharge is perfectly normal. (Its called leukorrhea. Because your body produces more estrogen during pregnancy, which tells the vagina to produce more discharge, there is simply a lot more of it.

This discharge is composed of cervix and vaginal secretions, old cells, and typical vaginal bacteria. Healthy vaginal discharge is usually:

Clear to milky white.

Thin to thick or mucus-like.

Mild-smelling or odorless.

As labor approaches, you’ll probably also experience more vaginal discharge, though it might not look exactly like the flow you’re used to.

Urgent advice: Urgent

Immediately contact your midwife or doctor if you experience any vaginal bleeding while pregnant.

Pregnancy Discharge | Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy | WHAT TO KNOW