Pregnancy will bring about a rollercoaster of emotions. You will feel happy, teary, excited and anxious, all at once. But emotions are not all that is pregnancy about. Your body will experience tremendous variations of physical changes and as an expectant mother, these changes can be puzzling at times. One such event that can raise suspicion is white discharge during pregnancy – a sign prevalent in nearly 43% of pregnant women. Show
Most women are familiar with the different types of vaginal discharge but what does discharge during pregnancy mean? In this article, Dr Astha Dayal – a leading obstetrician in Gurgaon will explore everything there is to know about vaginal discharge during pregnancy and how to deal with it.
As the name denotes, white discharge during pregnancy is a discharge that women experience during their pregnancy. It is thin, white coloured and milky textured. With or without pregnancy, vaginal discharge is a common phenomena. Before we move on to discuss milky white discharge during pregnancy, let us understand the concept of normal discharge aka leukorrhea. What is leukorrhea?Leukorrhea is the medical term for vaginal discharge. Vaginal discharge is the fluid made by the vagina and cervix that helps to keep your vagina moist and clean. It also helps to protect you from infection. There are different types of vaginal discharges based on their colour, texture or cause. Some common types include –
The vaginal discharge during pregnancy is known as leukorrhea pregnancy. It is usually odourless or, sometimes, can be smelled mildly. You may have more vaginal discharge than usual when you become pregnant. But a change in your vaginal discharge could be a sign of something that needs treatment. It’s important to know what’s normal, and when to get medical help. If you are a newly pregnant woman, leukorrhea pregnancy discharge will not feel any different from what you experienced between periods. Leukorrhea pregnancy is also considered early pregnancy discharge. You are likely to notice a change in your normal discharge one or two weeks before conception. Most women feel an increase in their present discharge which continues to happen throughout the course of pregnancy. The thick white discharge during pregnancy will become more dense as your pregnancy develops. It is, usually, the thickest as your gestation approaches an end. Why does leukorrhea happen?Leukorrhea or vaginal discharge is a normal body function indicating good health. Almost all women experience the passage of vaginal discharge during their reproductive years. There are multiple reasons why leukorrhea happens. Primarily, it is your body’s natural way of cleaning the vagina. Through normal body discharge, your body is paving a way for protecting itself against several types of bacteria. Besides its body function, normal vaginal discharge can be caused by bacterial or yeast infection. Why does leukorrhea pregnancy happen?However,the reasons for leukorrhea pregnancy can be slightly varying. There are various reason for white discharge during pregnancy (abnormal) that include:
Is white discharge in pregnancy normal?Vaginal discharge is a highly common occurrence. Likewise, in pregnancy white discharge is normal, however, you should keep a track of any abnormal changes. As mentioned above, early pregnancy discharge is thin, white and less smelly, if you notice anything atypical or distinct from this description, make it a note to aware your obstetrician about it. You can maintain a diary to record the colour, texture and odour changes in your vaginal discharge to avoid any pregnancy complications for yourself and your child. When to seek help for abnormal clear discharge during pregnancy?As we discussed above, leukorrhea is a healthy bodily function. However, it is important to address any atypical signs, especially during pregnancy. Now that you know what a healthy leukorrhea pregnancy is like, you would be able to identify abnormal signs. Some common atypical signs to watch out for are:
A pink or brown coloured discharge may highlight a sign of implantation bleeding. Even light vaginal spotting during pregnancy is not a cause for concern. However, it is ideal to visit your obstetrician for any concerns. While trying to conceive, it is advised that you and your partner get tested for STIs to avoid undergoing speculating reason for white discharge during pregnancy. Furthermore, an abnormal discharge can be indicative of possible pregnancy complications. You should not be alarmed if you experience any of the above given symptoms. Your healthcare provider is the right person to identify the exact problem and offer appropriate treatment for it. A ‘show’ as your body prepares for birthMany pregnant women experience a ‘show’ in the last few days of their pregnancy. This is where you notice you have some vaginal discharge. It’s generally creamy white and splashed with a pink jelly-like material. This happens when the mucus that has been present at the neck of your womb (cervix) comes away. This is a sign that your body is preparing for birth. Some women have several shows before they go into labour. If you have a show, you should contact your obstetrician immediately if:
How to get rid of white discharge during pregnancy?Despite the fact that it is almost an everyday occurrence, pregnant women may feel irritable due to the presence of constant discharge. The dampness and associated wetness can make a woman highly irritable. However, there are effective ways on how to get rid of white discharge during pregnancy. Here are some top home remedies to help you offer relief:
What is the treatment of white discharge during pregnancy?Sometimes, the above given homes remedies are not effective. If your symptoms are severe and likely to interfere with your health, it is advised that you consult a verified practioner and take an appropriate treatment of white discharge during pregnancy. The treatment for leukorrhea pregnancy is unique for each patient. Ideally, it depends upon the reason for white discharge during pregnancy. If you have developed a bacterial infection induced by pregnancy, your obesterician will prescribe you relevant antibiotics. On the other hand, if your discharge is caused by sexually transmitted infections, your healthcare provider will aim to treat it in order to alleviate symptoms. Your healthcare provider will, first, assess your condition and determine the cause before indicating any treatment. The concluding noteExperiencing white discharge during pregnancy is not alarming. Nevertheless, since you will feel various new symptoms and changes during this time, it is in your best interest to be informed about what they mean. To learn more about pregnancy or basic gynaecological health, book an appointment with Dr Astha Dayal – best obstetrician & gynaecologist at the CK Birla Hospital today. FAQsQues: When should I be worried about discharge during pregnancy? Ans: White discharge during pregnancy is a normal occurrence. You should, however, seek clinical help if the discharge is yellow, brown, pink or green-coloured, foul smelling, accompanied by fever, abdominal pain and itching. Ques: Can white discharge mean miscarriage? Ans: Milky white discharge during pregnancy is healthy. However, if your vaginal discharge is tinged with blood, you should meet your obsterician immediately. Ques: How much white discharge is normal in pregnancy? Ans: You will experience that the white discharge during pregnancy will increase gradually throughout pregnancy. Increased discharge is normal if it not associated with atypical signs. Can yellow discharge during pregnancy affect the baby?If the yellow discharge from trichomoniasis (bacterial vaginosis) is left untreated during pregnancy, it can increase a woman's chances of preterm labour and low birth weight. Both of these can affect the baby's development and overall health, and increase the time spent in the hospital after the baby is born.
What can I do to stop yellow discharge?How to prevent yellow discharge. Avoid douching. Douching can easily destroy good bacteria that prevent vaginal infections.. Avoid scented products. ... . Keep your vagina clean. ... . Wear cotton underpants and avoid wearing tight clothes. ... . Use protection. ... . Know your partner. ... . Avoid hot bathtubs.. Why do I keep leaking yellow discharge while pregnant?Yellow discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of infections, like a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis or chlamydia. It can also occur with elimination of the mucus plug, or with leaking amniotic fluid.
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