Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy

Vaginal discharge is an integral part of a woman’s life from puberty to menopause. The amount of this discharge varies from one period to another and becomes denser before menstruation, as well as during pregnancy, for many reasons.

In the course of pregnancy, the vaginal walls and the cervix turn softer and the vaginal discharge turn denser to prevent infections going up from the vagina to the womb.

Toward the end of pregnancy, vaginal discharge becomes even denser just like urine. And during the last month of the journey, discharge is mixed with a large quantity of mucous and a bit of blood, which means that a woman’s body is getting rid of the cervical mucous in preparation for labor and birth.

Vaginal discharge may be a normal part of pregnancy, yet it’s very important to keep it under supervision and consult the doctor about it, especially if there has been a change in color, an unusual smell or an intense itching and soreness. Normal and healthy vaginal discharge is usually transparent, white, soft and odorless, and any change whatsoever may imply the presence of an infection caused by the imbalance of the bacteria normally found in the vagina.

Vaginal infections are of four types. Some of them are pretty common in pregnant women, some others aren’t:

• Bacterial Vaginosis: This condition is found in one pregnant woman out of five on average. It is usually caused by the increase of bacteria normally found in the vagina. This type of infections can be easily treated after the first trimester of pregnancy.
• Yeast infections: This condition causes lots of irritation and itching. It is often triggered by a surge in estrogen levels that make the vagina a pasture for Candida bacteria. This kind of infections can be prevented by wearing loose cotton clothes and consuming fluids, antibiotics and foods high in simple carbohydrates.
• Group B streptococcus (strep): This condition can lead to urinary tract infection and all associated pains and symptoms. To treat this type of infection and prevent it from passing to the baby, the mother will be given a treatment with antibiotics during delivery.
• Trichomonas Vaginitis: It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. But can be easily treated with antibiotics.

As mentioned above, vaginal discharge during pregnancy is quite normal. Nevertheless, do not ignore it and always keep it under your observation, in search for a bleeding or an infection that may cost you and your pregnancy unexpected complications!

Read More: Comfortable Sleep Positions During Pregnancy