Regardless of whether or not a woman is pregnant, she will have some vaginal discharge between the ages of 12 and 18. As your period approaches, you’ll notice a noticeable increase in your bodily fluids.
Is vaginal discharge common during pregnancy?
Pregnant women are more likely to have increased vaginal discharge. These things happen all the time for a variety of different causes. Increased vaginal discharge helps prevent any infection from spreading up from one’s cervix (the neck of one’s womb) into the womb. Progesterone may also increase the amount of fluid you generate.
Keep an eye on your increased discharge throughout pregnancy and notify your doctor or midwife if you notice any changes in it.
Pregnancy affects vaginal discharge in several ways.
Increased vaginal discharge may be an indication of pregnancy, but there are many other factors that might affect it, so it’s impossible to know for sure.
Pregnancy might lead to an increase in the volume of urine and faeces discharged. There may be so much at the end that you mistake it for pee. The volume of discharge rises towards the end of pregnancy and might be mistaken for pee.
In the final week or two of pregnancy, you may see streaks of thick mucus and a little amount of blood in your suppuration. When the mucus that has built up in your cervix during your pregnancy begins to drain, it is referred to as a “show.” Small ‘shows’ may occur in the days leading up to your due date as your body begins to prepare for childbirth.
When to visit a midwife or a doctor throughout your pregnancy
If you notice a significant increase in your vaginal discharge in the latter stages of pregnancy, you should notify your doctor or midwife. Contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you see any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. This might indicate a miscarriage or placenta trouble.
- be clear and white
- not smell bad
Tell your midwife or doctor if:
- the discharge is colored (greenish or brownish)
- there is blood in the discharge
- it smells strange
- you feel itchy or sore
You may have a vaginal infection such as thrush, which your doctor may easily treat, or bacterial vaginosis if the discharge is coloured or smells unusual. If you suspect an infection, get immediate medical attention from a physician, pharmacist, or midwife.
Wearing untucked cotton underwear might help prevent thrush, as can avoiding fragrant soap or other bath goods for certain women.
