Discharge during pregnancy is quite normal, especially when it is clear or whitish, and is just a sign of increased estrogen in the body, as well as increased circulation in the pelvic region.
However, when a pregnant woman has gray, yellow or green discharge, and it is accompanied by symptoms such as bad smell, itching, pain or burning when urinating, it could be a sign of infections, such as chlamydia, vaginosis or gonorrhea, for example.
In these cases, you should immediately go to the hospital or quickly consult an obstetrician, so that the cause of the discharge during pregnancy can be identified and the most appropriate treatment can be started.
When discharge is normal during pregnancy
Discharge during pregnancy is considered normal when it presents the following characteristics:
- Transparent or whitish;
- Slightly thick, similar to mucus;
- Smelless.
This type of discharge is called leucorrhoea, and is normal during pregnancy due to the high levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. It does not require specific treatment, it is only recommended to maintain the usual hygiene measures.
However, any change in the characteristics of normal discharge must be evaluated by the obstetrician, as it may indicate some type of infection, which needs to be treated appropriately.
Make an appointment with the obstetrician in the nearest region:
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Pink discharge
Pink discharge during pregnancy may appear due to embryo implantation, leading to the onset of pregnancy and is therefore not a cause for concern. However, it can also happen due to the detachment of the ovum or plant, ectopic pregnancy or be a sign of miscarriage, and it is important to consult an obstetrician.
Read too: Pink discharge during pregnancy: 8 causes and what to do
Causes of altered discharge during pregnancy
The most common causes of altered discharge during pregnancy are:
1. Candidiasis
Vaginal candidiasis is an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans, leading to symptoms such as whitish discharge, similar to cottage cheese, intense itching in the genital region and redness.
This type of infection is quite common during pregnancy due to normal hormonal changes, which can lead to an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota and encourage the growth of fungi.
Although candidiasis does not affect the baby’s development in the womb, it needs to be treated to prevent the baby from being contaminated with fungi during birth and developing oral candidiasis, popularly known as “thrush”.
What to do: you should consult your obstetrician or gynecologist to start treatment with antifungal ointments or tablets, such as miconazole or terconazole, for example. However, you can also use some home remedies, such as natural yogurt, to alleviate symptoms and speed up the treatment recommended by your doctor. See how candidiasis is treated during pregnancy.
2. Bacterial vaginosis
Vaginosis is a very common vaginal infection, even during pregnancy, as the change in estrogen levels facilitates the development of fungi and bacteria, especially if there is no adequate hygiene in the region.
In these cases, the discharge appears slightly gray or yellowish and has a smell of rotten fish, which intensifies during intimate contact.
Vaginosis during pregnancy, if left untreated, can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, ruptured membranes, endometritis, chorioamnionitis and low birth weight, as well as an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.
What to do: It is necessary to consult an obstetrician or gynecologist to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment with antibiotics that are safe for pregnancy, such as metronidazole or clindamycin, for around 7 days. See more about how vaginosis is treated.
3. Gonorrhea
This is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeaetransmitted through unprotected intimate contact with the infected partner.
Symptoms of gonorrhea include pain or a burning sensation when urinating, urinary incontinence, itching in the intimate area, bleeding or lumps in the vagina, for example.
Since gonorrhea can affect pregnancy, increasing the risk of miscarriage, premature birth or amniotic fluid infection, it is very important to start treatment quickly. See other complications may arise in the baby.
What to do: If there is a suspicion of infection with a sexually transmitted disease, it is very important to go quickly to the hospital or obstetrician to make the diagnosis and start treatment, which in this case is done with the use of antibiotics, such as penicillin, ofloxacin or ciprofloxacin. Find out more about treating gonorrhea during pregnancy.
4. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is another sexually transmitted infection caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginaliswhich can also occur during pregnancy if an intimate relationship occurs without a condom with the infected partner.
The most characteristic symptoms of trichomoniasis are greenish or yellowish discharge, bad smell, redness in the genital region, pain when urinating, itching and the presence of small vaginal bleeding.
Trichomoniasis can increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight and should therefore be treated as quickly as possible.
What to do: You should go to the obstetrician or gynecologist to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment with an antibiotic, such as metronidazole, for about 3 to 7 days. Understand how trichomoniasis is treated.
5. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is also a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatisleading to the appearance of yellowish discharge, similar to pus, pain and burning when urinating, pain and bleeding during intimate contact or pelvic pain.
This infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth, ruptured membranes, or low birth weight.
Furthermore, when a pregnant woman has the infection and has not received adequate treatment, the infection can pass to the baby during birth, and cause complications in the newborn, such as conjunctivitis or pneumonia.
What to do: It is important to follow the treatment indicated by the obstetrician, which is normally done with the use of antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline. See more details on chlamydia treatment.
Discharge or water break?
To differentiate vaginal discharge from water breakage, the color and thickness of the liquid must be taken into account, as follows:
- Discharge: it is viscous and may have a smell or color;
- Amniotic fluid: it is quite fluid, colorless or a very light yellow, but odorless;
- Mucous plug: It is generally yellowish, thick, resembling phlegm or may have traces of blood, having a brownish color, being quite different from the discharge the woman may have had in her life. Learn how to identify a mucous plug.
Some women may experience small leaks of amniotic fluid before labor begins and, therefore, if there is a suspicion of water breaking, it is important to inform the obstetrician so that he can evaluate it. Check out how to identify if you are going into labor.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention and put on an absorbent to understand the color, quantity and viscosity of the secretion, as it could also be blood.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the obstetrician whenever the pregnant woman presents the following symptoms:
- Yellow, green, brown or greenish discharge;
- Bad-smelling or bloody discharge;
- Pain and burning when urinating;
- Itching, burning sensation or redness in the genital region;
- Pain during intimate contact or bleeding;
- Vaginal bleeding;
- Suspected water break.
At the medical appointment, you must inform when the symptoms started and show your dirty panties so that the doctor can check the color, smell and thickness of the discharge, to reach a diagnosis and then indicate what measures should be taken.
