Flo Helps You Understand The Signs Of Pregnancy, Including The Earliest Symptoms. Learn how to track and spot early signs of pregnancy. Try Flo to be prepared.
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Why is vaginal discharge more common during pregnancy?
Can you get vaginal discharge if you're pregnant?
How does pregnancy affect your vagina?
Is a change in vaginal discharge a sign of early pregnancy?
When does vaginal discharge start during pregnancy?
What happens if you have more discharge during pregnancy?
Is it normal to have vaginal discharge in pregnancy? Yes. It is normal to have more vaginal discharge in pregnancy. This helps prevent any infections travelling up from the vagina to the womb. Towards the end of pregnancy, the amount of discharge increases further.
- Vaginal Discharge
You usually get heavier discharge during pregnancy, if...
- Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge is a fluid or mucus that keeps your vagina clean and moist and prevents infection. It gets heavier during pregnancy , especially towards the end , as it helps to stop bacteria going up to the womb from the vagina (NHS Choices, 2018a) .
- Overview
- What is vaginal discharge?
- Pictures of discharge
- Healthy vs. unhealthy vaginal discharge
- Discharge in pregnancy
- Other factors that can change discharge
- Other signs of early pregnancy
- When to contact a doctor
- Summary
An increase in vaginal discharge can be a sign of early pregnancy. It is typically a thin clear, or milky white liquid.
Vaginal discharge is natural, and it can tell a person a lot about their body, including whether they have an infection, where they are in their menstrual cycle, and even their level of hydration.
A change in the amount of vaginal discharge can also sometimes indicate pregnancy.
This article looks at how to identify the vaginal discharge typical in early pregnancy. It also discusses other symptoms of early pregnancy, other factors that can affect discharge, and when to see a doctor.
Vaginal discharge is the normal substance that comes out of a person’s vagina. It is an umbrella term that encompasses any fluid — other than menstrual blood or urine — that the vagina secretes, both healthy and unhealthy.
Cervical mucus refers to the substance that the cervix releases.
Hormones make a person’s cervix produce mucus. Shifts in a person’s hormone levels can occur during certain phases of the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. These can change the color, texture, and amount of discharge.
Find a color-coded guide to vaginal discharge.
The following are some pictures of ways vaginal discharge can appear.
Healthy vaginal discharge is usually thin and clear or milky white with only a mild odor.
Unhealthy discharge can:
•be foul smelling
•be green or yellow
•be lumpy
•accompany itchiness around the vagina
Early in a pregnancy, a person might experience a slight increase in vaginal discharge. Pregnancy causes higher levels of estrogen, leading the body to produce more discharge and increase the blood flow to the uterus and vagina.
Increased discharge also helps protect the fetus by preventing external infections from traveling up from the vagina to the uterus.
As pregnancy continues, a person will continue to experience more discharge up until delivery.
Read about what to expect during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Infections, including yeast infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), can affect vaginal discharge, so it is important to monitor discharge as a health indicator.
Below are a few examples of unhealthy discharge and the conditions or infections that they may indicate.
Many signs — some subtle and some less so — can indicate pregnancy in the early stages.
A person’s period halting is the clearest indicator that they may be pregnant. However, menstruation can vary due to many other factors, including stress, birth control, and weight loss.
Learn about other possible causes of missing a period.
These other signs and symptoms can help identify pregnancy:
•tender and swollen breasts
•morning sickness
A person should contact a healthcare professional if they are experiencing signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Individuals can take a home pregnancy test, but it is still wise to follow up with a doctor.
Regardless of pregnancy concerns, if a person notices a change in their vaginal discharge, they should speak with a healthcare professional who can help diagnose the issue and prescribe any necessary treatment. Seeking advice is particularly important if changes in vaginal discharge accompany pain or itchiness.
A change in the amount of vaginal discharge can be a sign of early pregnancy.
However, other changes in the color or texture of vaginal discharge may be due to an infection, and a person should seek help from a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Jan 9, 2024 · Vaginal discharge during pregnancy serves an important purpose: to help prevent infections from traveling up the uterus, notes Cleveland Clinic. Also, don’t be alarmed—there tends to be more discharge during pregnancy due to the extra hormones circulating, such as estrogen and progesterone.
- Contributing Writer
Mar 8, 2019 · One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is an increase in vaginal discharge, and this continues throughout pregnancy.
- Juliann Schaeffer
Oct 4, 2016 · An increase in vaginal discharge is one of the most noticeable vaginal changes during pregnancy. It’s caused by high levels of estrogen and progesterone. An increase in blood volume and...
You usually get heavier discharge during pregnancy, if you're sexually active or if you're using birth control. It's often slippery and wet for a few days between your periods (when you ovulate). When vaginal discharge can be a sign of an infection.
