One of the questions I get asked a lot is from pregnan ladies and its this. What is going on with my vaginal discharge during pregnancy? And the answer does somewhat vary but as pregnant women will know it is quite normal for vaginal discharge during pregnancy to increase.
This increased pregnancy vaginal discharge is quite normal and will normally take the form of a odorless or may be mildly smelling clear or slightly white discharge pretty much the same as you had before you were pregnant. The reason for the increase is two fold. 1, estrogen levels are increased during pregnancy and this will lead to increased discharge.
2, There is a much greater blood flow to the vagina during pregnancy and this also has the effect of increasing discharge.
We allknow the reason for normal vaginal discharge and thats to remove unwanted and old cells from the cervix and vagina, as well as bacteria.
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy will increase as the pregnancy progresses. At the start of pregnancy a protective barrier is formed in the cervical canel. It is known as the mucus plug. So as the pregnancy developes and labour nears the cervix opens up (dilates) and some of this mucus will be discharged. This vaginal discharge will look like egg white, it might even be discharge in large lumps and there also may be a slight bit of blood. This mucus discharge is seen at the end of the pregnancy and if you are experiencing it any earlier than 37 weeks you may want to speak to your midwife. If you are getting mucus early or a pink,red,brown this could signify preterm labour so always best to get checked out.
When you are pregnant you are still susceptible to other infections and infact they become more important to diagnose early and treat than if you are not pregant. So if you have a white cottage cheese like vaginal discharge during pregnancy then you may have a yeast infection especially if you have an associated burning feeling or irritation. A yeast infection is not to be confused with bacterial vaginosis. BV’s discharge will be more gray in color and have a fishy smell.
A green vaginal discharge during pregnancy or at anytime infact could mean a sexually transmitted disease called Trichomoniasis. This will also have a strong odor. This will need treatment as soon as possible.
So if your pregnant what can you do about your vaginal discharge? Well first of all keep clean and have a good hygiene routine. When pregnant you are not to use tampons to soak discharge so stick to pads to absorb.
If in any dout at all about vaginal discharge during pregnancy speak to your healthcare worker or midwife.
