Pink discharge during pregnancy can arise due to embryo implantation and is not a cause for concern, but it can also arise due to ovular or placental detachment, ectopic pregnancy or even miscarriage, for example.
Depending on its cause, pink discharge may be accompanied by other symptoms such as colic, pelvic pain, itching, a burning sensation in the intimate area or heavy bleeding.
If you have pink discharge during pregnancy, you should consult your obstetrician to identify its cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment. In cases of vaginal bleeding, you should go to the emergency room immediately.
8 causes of pink discharge during pregnancy
The main causes of pink discharge during pregnancy are:
1. Embryo implantation
Pink discharge at the beginning of pregnancy is normal and can be caused by the implantation of the embryo in the uterus, called implantation, which occurs about 6 to 12 days after fertilization, and generally lasts about 2 days, and a small cramping condition may also occur. .
At this early stage of pregnancy, symptoms such as morning sickness or breast tenderness also appear, which can be confused with PMS symptoms. Learn how to differentiate PMS symptoms and pregnancy.
What to do: When you have pink discharge and feel cramping at the beginning of pregnancy, it is recommended to rest and relax, which can help alleviate discomfort related to embryo implantation, and which normally improves within 2 days. In addition, you should take a pregnancy test and consult your gynecologist.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Cervical irritation
Irritation of the cervix can cause pinkish-brown discharge during pregnancy, and can occur due to intimate contact, for example.
This is because during pregnancy the cervix becomes more vascularized, due to the normal hormonal changes during pregnancy, and can bleed easily.
What to do: Prenatal care should be carried out so that the doctor can check whether the cause of the pink discharge is normal hormonal changes and trauma to the cervix during intimate contact or whether there are health conditions that could be causing the discharge.
3. Sexually transmitted infections
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause symptoms such as pink, green, yellow or gray discharge, usually with a bad smell.
Other symptoms that may appear are itching, a burning sensation in the intimate area, pain and burning when urinating or redness in the genital area, for example.
What to do: It is very important to quickly start the treatment indicated by the obstetrician, according to the type of STI, as these infections can increase the risk of miscarriage, rupture of membranes, premature birth, amniotic fluid infection or low birth weight of the baby. See how STIs are treated.
4. Detachment of the gestational sac
Gestational sac detachment, also called ovular detachment or subchorionic hematoma, can cause pinkish discharge, bleeding, cramps or abdominal pain.
Detachment of the gestational sac can happen during the first trimester of pregnancy due to an accumulation of blood or hematoma below the chorion, which is a membrane surrounding the embryo.
In milder cases, this hematoma may disappear on its own by the end of the second trimester of pregnancy. However, when the hematoma is large, there is a greater risk of miscarriage or placental abruption.
What to do: you should go to the nearest hospital immediately to have an ultrasound performed and assess the need to start the most appropriate treatment, which can be done with partial or absolute rest, avoiding intimate contact, and in some cases, hormonal treatment with progesterone , recommended by the obstetrician. See more details on the treatment of gestational sac detachment.
5. Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is the development of the embryo outside the uterus, being more common in the fallopian tubes, which can cause pink or brown discharge, vaginal bleeding or intense cramping on only one side of the belly, which worsens with movement.
Other symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are pain during intimate contact, dizziness, nausea, vomiting or fainting.
What to do: You should go to the nearest emergency room immediately so that tests can be carried out, confirm the diagnosis and begin the most appropriate treatment, which is usually done through surgery to remove the embryo. See how ectopic pregnancy is treated.
6. Miscarriage
Pinkish or brownish discharge can be one of the first signs of a miscarriage, which can progress to heavy bleeding or blood or tissue clots leaving the vagina.
Other symptoms of miscarriage are intense cramping in the lower abdomen, pain in the lower back and/or pelvis, intense or constant headache, or general malaise. Know how to identify all the symptoms of miscarriage.
Spontaneous miscarriage is more common in the first trimester of pregnancy, due to various situations, such as excessive physical activity, use of medications, consumption of certain teas, infections or trauma.
What to do: You should go to the emergency room immediately to carry out tests such as ultrasound and assessment of the fetal heartbeat, and thus obtain a diagnosis. If a miscarriage is confirmed, the treatment must be carried out by the obstetrician using a curettage. Find out how curettage is done.
7. Placental abruption
Placental abruption occurs when the placenta is separated from the wall of the uterus as a result of inflammation or changes in blood circulation in the placenta.
This detachment can cause pinkish discharge, followed by vaginal bleeding, intense cramps or lower back pain, being more common after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Placental abruption can be caused by intense physical exertion and high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia.
What to do: Placental abruption is a medical emergency as it can put the health of both mother and baby at risk. Therefore, you should seek emergency help as soon as possible so that treatment can begin, in some cases requiring hospitalization, use of oxygen and control of blood pressure and heart rate. Learn more about placental abruption treatment.
8. Start of labor
At the beginning of labor, a gelatinous pinkish discharge, slightly brown or containing a little blood, may occur, which is the loss of the mucous plug.
The mucous plug is produced by the body in the first months of pregnancy, which aims to prevent bacteria and other microorganisms from reaching the uterus and interfering with the baby’s development and the continuity of the pregnancy.
When labor begins, the mucous plug comes out due to the dilation of the cervix, indicating that the body is preparing for labor. See other symptoms of labor.
What to do: You should always notify your doctor when you experience this type of vaginal discharge. If heavy bleeding occurs, the woman experiences frequent and regular contractions, the amniotic sac breaks, or there is a decrease or absence of fetal movements, you should contact your doctor immediately and go to the nearest hospital.
When to go to the doctor
It is important that women consult their obstetrician or go to the nearest emergency room immediately when pinkish discharge is accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Bad smell, or whitish, green, yellow or gray color;
- Itching, burning sensation or redness in the genital region;
- Pain or bleeding during intimate contact;
- Brown or bright red vaginal bleeding;
- Pelvic or abdominal pain;
Therefore, the obstetrician must perform a gynecological examination and request additional tests, in order to identify the cause of the pink discharge and, thus, indicate the most appropriate treatment, if necessary.
