Pregnancy Discharge: When To Worry?

Pregnancy discharge (leukorrhea) is vaginal discharge during pregnancy that women experience with a mild smell. It is usually whitish or milky in color and sometimes may look slightly brown or pink if it mixes with a small amount of blood. It should not have a strong or unpleasant odor.

Do you experience excessive discharge in pregnancy? Are you worried your excessive discharge is due to an infection? Is your discharge during pregnancy yellow? Do you have brown discharge while pregnant?

This guide will explain what you need to know about your discharge, when it’s normal and when it may be due to an infection. Healthy discharge in pregnancy is usually thin, clear or milky white and should not smell bad. nhs.uk+1

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What is the normal discharge during pregnancy?

If you are pregnant for the first time, you may get worried when you notice excessive discharge coming down your vagina. You shouldn’t, as long as it looks and smells normal and you feel well.

Before pregnancy, your discharge usually changes throughout your menstrual cycle. After your period ends and before you’re expecting your next period, vaginal discharge is often white and thick. It does not smell strong or cause itching to your vagina. Normal vaginal discharge when you are not pregnant is usually clear or white; it may sometimes look cream or slightly yellow when it dries, or appear brown or pink when mixed with a small amount of old blood around your period or after ovulation.

It could be thick white discharge after ovulation or watery during ovulation. Also, just before your next period, your vaginal discharge tends to get thick and many women will notice a dry vagina for a few days.

However, during pregnancy, there is a continuous production of cervical mucus. You will notice your discharge is now much more than normal just before your next period. This type of discharge is milky white or creamy white discharge and should not be foul smelling or itchy. nhs.uk+1

Pregnancy discharge may become excessive and it is due to hormones in your body (estrogen and progesterone). These hormones stimulate the cervix to increase cervical mucus production. This increased mucus or discharge will help form the mucus plug that prevents infection spreading to your baby.

In addition, there is an increased blood supply to the cervix and vagina when pregnant. If you experience more discharge during your first, second or third trimester, then you should not get worried as long as it is clear or white, does not smell unpleasant, and is not associated with itching, pain, or bleeding. Pregnancy discharge is often more excessive with only a mild odor.

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5 Pregnancy discharge colors you should know

When pregnant, there are other colors of vaginal discharge that you could notice that are not white. They include brown, yellow and green discharge. Below are vaginal discharge colors you may have and what they may mean.

White discharge during pregnancy

White vaginal discharge with a mild smell is common in pregnancy. It may be much more than vaginal discharge you experienced before getting pregnant. This thin, clear or milky white discharge is usually normal and does not need treatment.

However, if your white or greyish discharge has a fishy smell, especially after sex, then it may be due to bacterial vaginosis. Inform your doctor or midwife about your symptoms because bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy is linked with an increased risk of preterm birth and premature rupture of membranes, and symptomatic women are usually treated with antibiotics. CDC+1

Brown discharge during pregnancy

Your discharge could also be brownish when pregnant. Brown discharge that occurs in pregnancy is often old blood that has taken some time to come out and has mixed with your cervical mucus. Small spots or streaks of brown discharge can be normal, especially after a vaginal examination, sex, or constipation.

During pregnancy, there is an increased blood supply to the vagina and cervix. This can result in slight bleeding or spotting with very little trauma or sexual intercourse. Brown discharge that occurs in pregnant women while having intercourse often resolves in a few hours.

However, if your brown discharge increasingly becomes fresh red blood, is associated with cramping or pain, or is persistent for days, then it is likely abnormal and you should contact your doctor or midwife urgently.

Also, brown discharge can sometimes be due to implantation and may be an early sign of pregnancy. It usually occurs around the time you are expecting your period and is often light. Not every woman will have implantation bleeding.

In addition, not all brown discharge during pregnancy is normal. It may also be a sign of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can include severe or one-sided lower abdominal pain, shoulder tip pain, dizziness or feeling faint. Because of the risk posed by bleeding when pregnant, it is important to always inform your doctor about any brown or bloody discharge in pregnancy, especially in early pregnancy or if you feel unwell.

Yellow discharge during pregnancy

If you notice yellow discharge while pregnant, then it may be a sign of an infection, especially if it is bright yellow, thick, or smells bad. Yellow pregnancy discharge that causes vaginal itching, swelling of the vulva or pain in the lower abdomen is likely due to an infection. You should inform your doctor about your symptoms early to prevent any complications.

It is also possible that slightly yellow discharge may be normal, for example when normal white mucus dries on your underwear. However, any persistent yellow discharge, particularly with odor or discomfort, should be checked.

Vaginal infections during pregnancy can increase the risk of pregnancy complications such as preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes and low birth weight babies, so they should be treated promptly. NICHD

Green discharge during pregnancy

If you notice a green discharge while pregnant, it is almost always due to an infection and should be checked urgently. Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis can cause green or yellow, smelly discharge and pelvic pain. These infections in pregnancy are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm delivery and low birth weight, if not treated. CDC

You should inform your doctor early to prevent any complications during pregnancy. Your partner may also need testing and treatment.

Pink discharge during pregnancy

Pink discharge in pregnancy usually means that a small amount of blood has mixed with your normal discharge. In very early pregnancy it may be due to implantation bleeding. It can also be due to trauma to your vaginal area (for example, after sex or a vaginal examination), cervical ectropion, a “show” as your cervix starts to open near term, or it may be a sign of threatened miscarriage or ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.

If you see a pink discharge when pregnant, especially with pain, heavy bleeding, or if it happens repeatedly, it is important to let your doctor or midwife know.

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11 Reasons to worry about your discharge while pregnant

You should seek medical advice if you notice discharge plus any of these:

• Vaginal itching

• Vulva swelling

• Vulva soreness

• Low abdomen pain that is persistent

• Fever or high body temperature

• Green vaginal discharge

• Yellow vaginal discharge that is thick, smelly or itchy

• Foul smelling discharge

• Pain while having intercourse

• Persistent bleeding, brown discharge that gets heavier, or watery leaking fluid that may be your waters breaking

• Pain while urinating

Any change in discharge with these symptoms in pregnancy should be checked by a health professional rather than treated at home. Healthier Together+1

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Causes of abnormal pregnancy discharge

If your discharge is smelly, green or yellow, or associated with vaginal itch, soreness or pain during pregnancy, then it is likely because there is an infection down there. Some of the causes of abnormal discharge in pregnancy are:

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis can affect the vagina of pregnant women. It is caused by an imbalance in the normal vaginal bacteria (for example, overgrowth of Gardnerella vaginalis and other bacteria). It is not classified as a traditional sexually transmitted infection, but it is more common in women who have new or multiple sexual partners and in those who douche. NICHD

If you are pregnant with BV infection, you will notice thin, grey-white, fishy smelling discharge, often worse after sex.

Treatment is usually with antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin prescribed by your doctor. In pregnancy, symptomatic BV is treated because it is associated with preterm birth and premature rupture of membranes. Do not self-medicate with leftover antibiotics. CDC+1

Yeast infection

Yeast in pregnancy is most often caused by Candida albicans. You will notice cottage cheese-looking discharge that is whitish in color in your vagina. If you experience vaginal itching and soreness of the vulva with this type of discharge, then you likely have a yeast infection (thrush).

In pregnancy, yeast infection is usually treated with vaginal pessaries and creams (topical azole treatments) used for a full 7-day course, as these are considered safe in pregnancy. Oral fluconazole is generally avoided in pregnancy unless specifically advised by a specialist. Always confirm with your doctor before starting treatment. CDC+1

Chlamydia infection

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection. It can cause smelly discharge in pregnancy with pain and discomfort while having intercourse or when passing urine. Some women have no symptoms at all.

If this infection is not treated early while pregnant, it can cause pelvic infection and increase the risk of preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes and infection in your baby’s eyes or lungs. Both you and your partner need testing and treatment.

Gonorrhea and Trichomonas infection

Gonorrhea and trichomonas infection can affect pregnant women too. They may be the cause of your smelly, yellow-green discharge during pregnancy. Other symptoms are

• Painful urination

• Painful sexual intercourse

• Low abdomen pain

• Smelly pus-like discharge from your vagina

Treatment involves use of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, and your sexual partner(s) should also be treated. Trichomoniasis in pregnancy is associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight if untreated, so it is important to treat it promptly. CDC+1

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How to prevent abnormal pregnancy discharge

• Avoid vaginal douching while pregnant

• Don’t use vaginal sprays or perfumes during pregnancy

• Treat any abnormal discharge very early to prevent complications

• Get your husband or partner tested and treated for STIs if needed

• Do not wash inside your vagina with detergents or soap (just wash the outside with water or a mild, non-perfumed cleanser)

• If you are diabetic, then you should keep your blood sugar under good control as it can predispose to yeast infection

• Use condoms with new or multiple partners to reduce the risk of STIs

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FAQs about Pregnancy discharge

These are some commonly asked question about discharge during pregnancy. If you have other questions, please let us know.

What does early pregnancy discharge look and feel like?

Early pregnancy discharge is usually milky white or clear discharge that does not cause vaginal itching or discomfort. Some women may experience a mild smell; however, it should not be foul smelling. It may be heavier or more than your pre-pregnancy discharge. Tommy’s

Brown discharge that occurs after you ovulate can sometimes be an early pregnancy sign due to implantation, but it can also happen in normal cycles without pregnancy. You don’t have to panic, but if you miss your period, take a pregnancy test and speak with your doctor if the bleeding is heavy or painful.

Is clear discharge in early pregnancy normal?

Yes. If you’re pregnant and have clear or white discharge without any signs of inflammation like vulva soreness, itching, bad smell, pain or bleeding, then it’s usually okay. Clear discharge while pregnant is normal in many women.

What is discharge during early pregnancy before missed period?

If you’re pregnant, you may experience light brown or pink discharge just before your next period as possible implantation bleeding. However, brown mucus discharge one week before your period is not a guaranteed sign of pregnancy; it can also happen from normal hormonal changes.

In addition, just before your period, your vaginal discharge may become thick or you may feel dry. If you notice an increased discharge just before your period, it may or may not mean you are pregnant; the only reliable way to know is to take a pregnancy test after a missed period.

Now let us know if you feel your discharge is abnormal. Is it smelly or do you feel vaginal pain and itching? You should see your doctor or midwife for a proper check-up, and you can also share your questions with us. ACOG+1