Pregnancy is one of the most sensitive phases in a woman’s life. It’s during this time that many questions arise, including those about vaginal discharge in pregnancy. Are they normal? When should a woman be concerned? Is every discharge a sign that something is wrong? Discharge or secretions during pregnancy are common among pregnant women, but they happen for very different reasons. What is the difference between them? Vaginal secretion is natural for the female reproductive system1. Every pregnant woman can have these natural and physiological mucous secretions in abundance. The normal characteristics of healthy mucus are:

Whitish: Similar to moisturizing cream. White discharge is the most common, as it is simply made up of progesterone mixed with cells from the vaginal flora. The increase in the production of this hormone during pregnancy will certainly contribute to its higher frequency and quantity. It’s normal for a woman to notice traces of this mucus accumulated on her underwear or panty liner.

Elastic and transparent: This is one of the types of mucus that may appear and can also alarm pregnant women. Usually, this mucus can appear at any stage of pregnancy and is very similar to fertile mucus. However, it only occurs due to increased estrogen levels in the body. You may notice this mucus when cleaning yourself after urinating. For women who experience vaginal dryness during pregnancy, it is recommended to use a lubricating gel to aid comfort and sexual intercourse.

Is Discharge During Pregnancy Normal?

No! Vaginal discharges during pregnancy, unlike hormonal mucus, are those that bring health problems for the pregnant woman2. The problem lies in the pregnant woman’s immunological fragility, which drops considerably compared to the non-pregnant state. As with other diseases, fungal discharge can happen more easily. Low immunity facilitates the growth of various microorganisms that live within the vaginal flora. A well-known example of these is candidiasis. Pregnant women are more prone to candida outbreaks because their body’s immunity is weakened, giving an opportunity for accelerated reproduction.

Meanwhile, unhealthy discharges caused by external bacteria are a reason for concern. These can arise due to inflammation, which is not welcome at this stage of life. Another discharge during pregnancy that can catch a woman off guard is brownish and foul-smelling. These discharges that itch, burn, or smell bad should be reported to a doctor immediately to be treated as soon as possible, as they are caused by inflammation. Inflammation at this stage of a woman’s life can have severe consequences, including bleeding during pregnancy and, in more severe cases, can lead to the baby’s death and extremely premature birth. The main warning signs are:

  • Green or yellow discharge
  • Strong odor (similar to rotten eggs)
  • Pain in the vagina
  • Itching
  • Sudden increase in vaginal secretion and change in appearance

To detect a possible disease in the vulva indicated by discharge during pregnancy, a speculum exam is necessary to assess the vaginal contents. Studying the vaginal flora is important at any stage of life, so if you notice any of the symptoms above, talk to your doctor.

Treatment for discharge during pregnancy is limited3. Not all medications are approved for use by pregnant women. The vast majority of medicines available for this type of treatment are vaginal creams and ointments. It is very important that your doctor prescribes the appropriate medication for you and you never interrupt the treatment without their knowledge. To avoid these problems, women should keep the area as dry as possible and avoid tight and synthetic underwear. Try to wear cotton underwear and whenever possible, sleep without them for example.

Important: Brown spotting should be assessed by a doctor. Likewise, mucus that looks like blood-streaked phlegm or yellowish mucus without an odor. These can be signs of the mucus plug that is part of the natural process of pregnancy, but it’s necessary to check for dilation.

See also: Cervical Infection – How to Identify?