Vaginal discharge during pregnancy
Vaginal discharge is certainly nothing new. But if you’re trying to conceive or think you’ll be pregnant, you would possibly be wondering whether changes in vaginal discharge are an early sign you’re expecting.
Known as leukorrhea, an increase in vaginal discharge is often an early sign of pregnancy — although some changes in vaginal discharge are often attributed to other things too.
What is leukorrhea or pregnancy discharge?
Pregnancy discharge is the medical term for the thin, milky white, and mild-smelling (sometimes odorless) vaginal discharge that a lot of women first experience in early pregnancy.
The quantity will likely increase as your pregnancy progresses. Leukorrhea is analogous to the vaginal discharge you would possibly experience between periods, only heavier.
What causes leukorrhea during pregnancy?
When you’re expecting, a rise in estrogen levels causes increased blood flow to the pelvic area. More blood flow stimulates the body’s mucous membranes, resulting in a rise in vaginal discharge in early pregnancy and beyond.
And it is the crucial purpose: Leukorrhea removes dead cells from the vagina protects the birth canal from infection and maintains a healthy balance of bacteria within the vagina.
Is white vaginal discharge normal during pregnancy?
Thin, white discharge is normal and healthy throughout your entire pregnancy. However, it might be a sign and symptom of an infection if it’s lumpy or thick, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms (like itching or a fishy odor).
You can also notice vaginal discharge is brown or pink. In early pregnancy, that would be a sign of implantation bleeding. Later on, vaginal spotting during pregnancy (not heavy bleeding) is additionally most frequently normal, especially if it appears after you’ve got sex or a pelvic exam.
But if you’re concerned, don’t hesitate to see in together with your doctor.
What is early pregnancy discharge?
Early pregnancy discharge is a discharge that comes early in pregnancy. It’s completely normal since early pregnancy is usually when you’ll first notice leukorrhea.