Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy- Causes and Management

Introduction:

Vaginal discharge is a normal phenomenon that occurs in the female body. The discharge begins right before puberty and lasts till menopause (end of menstruation period). A discharge tells a lot about the body, like whether an infection is present, whether the person is in their menstrual cycle, and even the levels of dehydration present in a person. The consistency of vaginal discharge changes throughout the menstrual period and during pregnancy. Some people look for changes in vaginal discharge as an early pregnancy sign.

What Is Vaginal Discharge?

Any fluid that the vagina secretes other than urine or menstrual blood is called a vaginal discharge. Discharges can be both healthy and unhealthy.

What Is the Difference Between a Healthy Discharge and an Unhealthy Discharge?

• Healthy Vaginal Discharge - A healthy vaginal discharge is clear and thin with a milky white appearance and has a mild yet inoffensive odor.

• Unhealthy Vaginal Discharge - An unhealthy vaginal discharge is foul-smelling and has greenish-yellowish discoloration with a lumpy consistency. Harmful discharges often accompany vaginal itching, and pain occurs during urination. In addition, harmful discharges often indicate an infection.

What Does Pregnancy Discharge Look Like?

Pregnancy increases the number of vaginal discharges. A healthy vaginal discharge during pregnancy is called leukorrhea. It is thin, milky white, or clear and has a very mild odor or no odor.

What Are the Changes in the Vaginal Discharge That Occur During Pregnancy?

Vaginal discharge increases slightly during the early period of pregnancy. This increase is because of the rise in estrogen levels during pregnancy. The raised estrogen level causes the body to produce more vaginal discharge, thereby increasing the blood flow to the vagina and uterus. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the discharges remove bacteria from the uterus. The increase in vaginal discharges is not noticeable until the eighth week of pregnancy. This discharge also forms a mucus plug, which blocks the cervix opening and protects the fetus from external infections traveling to the uterus from the cervix. The vaginal discharge increases gradually as the pregnancy progresses. A pregnant person will experience vaginal discharge up until the delivery of the child. During the last weeks of pregnancy, vaginal discharges may contain streaks of sticky or jelly-like pink mucus. This is called a “show” and is a sign that the body is starting to prepare for birth.

What Does the Brown or Pink Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy Indicate?

Pinkish or brownish vaginal discharge may occur during pregnancy. It could appear as light spots or streaks of color on the underwear. Light bleeding could indicate spotting. Some of the common causes of discharge include:

• Implantation - A small amount of pink or brown discharge or spotting can be seen during the beginning stages of pregnancy around the time the menstrual period is due. This is a sign of implantation. Implantation occurs when the embryo implants into the uterine lining about ten days after fertilization.

• Vaginal Examinations or Sexual Inter Course - A brown or pink discharge is noted following vaginal examination or intercourse. The cervix and vagina can get easily irritated during pregnancy due to increased blood flow, causing pink discharges.

• Vigorous Exercise - Strenuous exercise can cause spotting at any point during the pregnancy. As long as it does not progress towards bleeding, spotting is an indication to ease up on exercise. Exercise is usually considered safe for a healthy pregnancy. Working out or exercising does not increase any risk of miscarriages, low birth weight, or early delivery.

• Bloody Show - By the end of pregnancy, the mucus plug slowly breaks down when the cervix dilates and comes out in large clumps, small bits, or a streak. This makes the vaginal discharge appear pinkish or brownish. Not every pregnant woman experiences a bloody show. This can happen hours, days, or weeks before the actual labor begins.

What Factors Cause Changes in the Vaginal Discharges?

Factors like infections or sexually transmitted infections change and affect vaginal discharges. Some of them include the following:

• Preterm Labor - Before 37 weeks, an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge or a change in the type or consistency of the discharge indicates that the pregnant person is in preterm labor. There will also be continuous leakage of clear and watery fluid.

• Candidiasis - Candidiasis or thrush is a fungal infection commonly occurring during pregnancy. It is associated with soreness, burning or itching, and pain during intercourse or urination. Vaginal discharge seen in candidiasis is thick and chunky similar to the appearance of cottage cheese.

• Bacterial Vaginosis - Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation that is caused due to overgrowth of natural bacteria found in the vaginal area. Vaginal discharge in bacterial vaginosis has a fishy odor with a thin gray or white discoloration (more noticeable after sex when the discharge mixes with the semen).

• Trichomoniasis - Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a protozoan parasite called the trichomonas vaginalis. Vaginal discharge in trichomoniasis has a greenish or yellowish appearance and an unpleasant odor with a frothy consistency. Some symptoms of trichomoniasis are irritated, reddish, and itchy vaginal areas with discomfort during urination or intercourse.

• Chlamydia or Gonorrhea - Chlamydia and gonorrhea are sexually transmitted infections that often occur together. The overgrowth of chlamydia trachomatis bacteria causes chlamydia., An overgrowth of a Neisseria gonorrhea bacteria causes gonorrhea. An increased vaginal discharge is noted in these conditions and is accompanied by pelvic pain or bleeding.

• Genital Herpes - Herpes simplex virus (HPV) causes sexually transmitted infection called genital herpes. They cause sores and painful blisters that break open and ooze fluid. In these conditions, an increased discharge is noted from the blisters or sores.

What Kind of Vaginal Changes Should Be Notified to the Doctor?

If any vaginal bleeding is noted, the doctor should be immediately notified. Vaginal bleeding is a sign of miscarriage or problems in the placenta. The doctor should also be notified of conditions like greenish or brownish vaginal discharge, bloody discharge, or if the discharge smells different and is associated with itchiness or sores.

How to Ease Discomfort Caused by Vaginal Discharges?

• With increased vaginal discharge, feeling uncomfortable is natural.

• A pregnant person can use unscented panty liners to help manage the increased discharges.

• In addition, it is recommended to wear breathable or loose cotton underwear and change them often.

• The use of tampons is not recommended.

• Avoiding the use of scented soap or bath products is advised.

Conclusion:

Increased vaginal discharges are early pregnancy signs and are usually colorless, odorless, and of thin milky white consistency. Vaginal discharge serves an important purpose during pregnancy; they prevent infections in the vagina and the womb. As long as the vaginal discharge remains colorless and odorless, it is normal without any cause for concern.