Any unexpected event during pregnancy can be a huge scare! And one of these cases is when brown discharge or coffee-ground-like spotting appears. The first thought that comes to mind is the risk of miscarriage or something similar. But stay calm, as this brownish secretion can also mean other conditions. Either way, it is a warning sign.

The seriousness of brown discharge will depend on the intensity at which it occurs and which stage of pregnancy the woman is in1. The more intense it is and if it happens still in the first trimester of pregnancy, it can be of greater concern. In this phase it may be related to the loss of the endometrium where the baby is implanted.

Brown discharge at the beginning of pregnancy

If the discharge appears at the beginning of pregnancy, it may be related to implantation bleeding known as nidation2. Although not all pregnancies have this brown bleeding, 25% of pregnant women experience it at the beginning of pregnancy. This bleeding should not be intense and should not have a flow or clots. If it does, it is not a sign of implantation but due to some other cause.

Another reason that leads to light brown discharge during pregnancy is low hormone levels. If the pregnancy is recent, or even up to the second trimester, secretions of this color can have a hormonal nature. That is, the body is not producing enough hormones, so there is not the necessary hormonal support. These bleedings are the body’s way of showing hormonal gaps and other problems that should be treated as soon as possible. Gestational sac detachment, the well-known subchorionic hematoma that can affect pregnancies and result in miscarriage, should be closely monitored by the doctor.

Brown discharge in the third trimester

Usually, women who have endometriosis may have brown discharge (also known as coffee-ground spotting) even until the end of pregnancy. Another factor that can cause these types of bloody spotting with unusual clotting are problems like placenta previa. Women who have placenta previa may have bright red bleeding, but also brownish colors.

IMPORTANT: Not all brown discharge is a sign of risk. If you are in doubt, seek emergency medical care to have the case evaluated.

Main causes of coffee-ground discharge during pregnancy

Some lesser-known factors are:

  • Rupture of vasa previa: The rupture of part of the umbilical cord that connects to the placenta.
  • Marginal sinus rupture: Little pieces of placenta that detach early.
  • Placental abruption: When part of the placenta detaches from the uterine wall and causes problems delivering nutrients and oxygen to the baby.

Risks

These are particularly more serious cases, which require medical intervention and sometimes can induce labor even if premature. That is why we should know that any bleeding – brown or not – during pregnancy should be investigated. Throughout pregnancy, there could be brown discharge for other reasons, such as cervical infection3.

These infections cause a pasty and brown bleeding, as well as burning when urinating and during intercourse. Depending on how long the infection has been there, the brown bleeding may become intense and worry the pregnant woman. Urinary tract infection is also a factor that can cause brown discharge in pregnancy. Women with high levels of red blood cells in the urine tend to have a brown mucus similar to implantation discharge. If you experience a lot of pain when urinating or even just discomfort, the pregnant woman should ask the doctor for an exam to check for cystitis.

Brown discharge after sexual intercourse

During the second and third trimester of pregnancy, brown discharge can appear during or after sexual intercourse. This can be a sign of a rupture of blood vessels in the vaginal area and does not mean any risk. However, if the bleeding becomes heavier and is accompanied by severe pain, a gynecologist should be consulted immediately.

Any and all bleeding or unusual symptoms should be immediately reported to the obstetrician. If you do not have your doctor’s phone number, visit the maternity emergency room. Not all bleeding or brown discharge during pregnancy is harmful; however, prevention is better than cure.

Readers’ Questions:

Can brown discharge be a sign of pregnancy?

Yes, brown discharge can be an indication that you are pregnant since it could be a sign of the well-known implantation (nidation). However, if you have doubts, take a pregnancy test or consult your gynecologist for an evaluation or even request a blood test.

How do you treat brown discharge in pregnancy?

Usually, there is no treatment for brown discharge, as long as it is not a symptom of another problem. If it is a normal discharge, it will go away on its own. If it is due to other problems, your obstetrician should indicate the appropriate treatment for the issue, and consequently the brown discharge will disappear.

Does the morning-after pill cause brown discharge?

Yes, normally after taking the morning-after pill it is quite common to have spotting or the appearance of brown discharge due to the hormonal “shock” that the pill causes.

See also: Cervical Infection – How to Detect?