Vaginal or White Discharge During Pregnancy: Things To Know

Introduction

Being soon to be parents and a mother is definitely an exciting feeling. Morning sickness is one of the issues that can arise. In this state of constant hormonal changes you might get confused which thing needs attention and which thing is normal. Same goes for vaginal discharge i.e. in this article we will tell you whether the vaginal discharge during pregnancy is normal or not and what are the types of vaginal discharges you might see.
Is Vaginal Discharge Normal During Pregnancy?
Vaginal discharge happens during pregnancy and is considered as normal as when you are pregnant the blood flow to the cervix is increased while concurrent increase in estrogen also takes place. Extra vaginal fluid is produced in response to softening walls of the vagina in order to shield from infections within the cervix.
What Different Types of Discharges are Observed During Pregnancy?

1. Mucus discharge

During pregnancy the blood supply to the cervical area is enhanced. This causes more cervical fluid to be made which releases in the form of vaginal fluid as discharge. This is a pretty known phenomenon so there is no need to panic. The discharge in colored white or colorless, thin and has a mild smell but is important in keeping bacteria from infecting the lining and also cleans it. But be sure to visit your gynecologist if you notice any change in color or texture.

2. Amniotic fluid

Amniotic fluid is the clear liquid that surrounds the baby in the womb. It is responsible for providing the baby with nutrition. If amniotic fluid leaks in small quantity and it generally feels like a warm tickling/gushing and colorless but may contain minute quantity of mucus or blood then it has no major implications however if too much is lost and it becomes colored like brown or yellowish or greenish then it shows that your baby has passed stools or faeces and this can manifest in the form of breathing problems at birth and you must visit your gynecologist immediately.

3. Yeast infection discharge

Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can cause changes in the natural pH of the vagina which elevates the chances of contracting infections from infectious agents like Candida. This has maximum chances of happening during the second trimester .This infection is also known by thrush and can manifest itself in the form of infections such as redness and soreness in the vagina,itching in and around the vagina and burning sensation when passing urine. Before the infection becomes more serious you must visit your gynecologist as soon as possible.

4. Spotting

The difference between menstrual bleeding and spotting is that the fluid in spotting is lighter in color during your pregnancy period. The causes for this to occur differ such as during first trimester it can be attributed to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, implantation bleeding or unknown causes. Spotting in second trimester can occur due to irritation in the cervical area post cervical examination or presence of cervical polyp. The reason for occurrence in third trimester can be attributed to release of show. Heavy bleeding can signal to serious conditions such as placental abruption, miscarriage etc hence you should report to your gynecologist immediately.

5. Show

This show is basically mucus plug which forms a barrier to the entry of bacteria and gets completed around the 7th week of pregnancy. As it starts to loosen it indicates that labor is not that far away. It is thick in texture but may also be stick or stringy and may contain traces of blood in the form of streaks. If the cervical plug is released by you then you can visit your gynecologist to get an idea when labor can begin and also you should visit your gynecologist if any vaginal bleeding occurs.

Conclusion

Vaginal discharge can manifest itself in various forms. The specific reason depends upon many factors such as ongoing trimester, infections by infectious agents, hygiene and normal physiological functions of the body. However not all signs are good such as heavy bleeding irrespective of the trimester should not be ignored. If you want to know more about vaginal discharge then you can contact our gynecologist at Vardan Hospital, Goregaon.