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Vaginal Discharge During
Pregnancy: What’s Normal?
Medically reviewed by
Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D.,
MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC,
CHT — Written by Juliann
Schaeffer — Updated on
March 7, 2019
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Pregnancy can be as confusing as it is elating, and it’s not always easy to tell
which changes are normal and which are cause for concern. One change is
vaginal discharge, which can vary in consistency or thickness, frequency,
and amount during pregnancy.
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What to expect
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is an increase in vaginal discharge,
and this continues throughout pregnancy. When a woman becomes
pregnant, her vagina largely takes on a personality of its own, says Dr. Sheryl
Ross, an OB-GYN and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s
Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Normal vaginal discharge, known as leukorrhea, is thin, clear, or milky white,
and mild smelling. Changes in vaginal discharge can begin as early as one to
two weeks after conception, even before you’ve missed your period. As your
pregnancy progresses, this discharge usually becomes more noticeable, and
it’s heaviest at the end of your pregnancy. You may want to wear an
unscented panty liner. Avoid tampons in pregnancy.
In the last weeks of pregnancy, you may also notice that your discharge
contains streaks of thick mucus with streaks of blood, called “show.” This is
an early sign of labor and should not be cause for alarm.
What causes changes to vaginal
discharge?
Vaginal discharge ebbs and flows throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle
due to a fluctuation in hormone levels. Once you become pregnant,
hormones continue to play a role in the changes to your vaginal discharge.
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Changes to the cervix during pregnancy also affect vaginal discharge. As the
cervix and vaginal wall soften, the body produces excess discharge to help
prevent infections. Your baby’s head may also press against the cervix as
you near the end of your pregnancy, which often leads to increased vaginal
discharge.
When to call your doctor
It’s important to let your healthcare provider know about any abnormal
discharge, as it could be a sign of an infection or a problem with your
pregnancy. Here are some signs of abnormal discharge:
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yellow, green, or gray color
Yes
No
strong and foul odor
accompanied by redness or itching, or vulvar swelling
Abnormal discharge may be a sign of infection. Yeast infections are common
during pregnancy. If you develop a yeast infection during pregnancy, your
doctor may recommend a vaginal cream or suppository. To avoid a yeast
infection:
wear loose, breathable clothing
wear cotton underwear
dry your genitals after showering, swimming, or exercising
add yogurt and other fermented foods to your diet to promote healthy
bacteria
Abnormal discharge can also be caused by a sexually transmitted disease
(STD). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & recommend
screening all pregnant women for STDs. Your healthcare provider may
screen you for STDs at your first prenatal appointment. If you believe you
have an STD, it’s important to let your doctor know as soon as possible to
help reduce the risk of passing the STD to your baby.
Abnormal discharge may also signal a complication in your pregnancy. Call
your healthcare provider immediately if you have bright red discharge that
exceeds an ounce. This could be a sign of placenta previa or placental
abruption.
When in doubt, it’s always better to play it safe and call your doctor. Note
when the changes to your vaginal discharge began and any defining
characteristics. This will help your doctor determine if your discharge is
cause for concern.
Last medically reviewed on May 26, 2017
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Do’s and Don’ts When a Loved
One Is Experiencing a Stroke
Medically reviewed by
Seunggu Han, M.D. —
Written by Valencia Higuera
— Updated on December 5,
2018
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Strokes can happen without warning and typically result from a blood clot in
the brain. People experiencing a stroke may suddenly be unable to walk or
talk. They may also seem confused and have weakness on one side of their
body. As an onlooker, this can be a frightening experience. If you don’t know
much about strokes, you may not know how to respond.
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Because a stroke can be life-threatening and lead to permanent disability, it’s
important to act fast. If you suspect that a loved one is having a stroke,
here’s what you should and shouldn’t do during this critical time.
What to do when someone is
experiencing a stroke
Do call an ambulance. If a loved one is experiencing a stroke, your first
instinct might be to drive them to the hospital. But in this situation, it’s best to
call 911. An ambulance can get to your location and get the person to a
hospital quicker. Plus, paramedics are equipped to handle different types of
emergency situations. They can offer life-saving assistance on the way to the
hospital, which can potentially reduce the damaging effects of the stroke.
Do use the word “stroke.” When you call 911 and request help, notify the
operator that you suspect the person is having a stroke. Paramedics will be
better prepared to help them, and the hospital can prepare for their arrival.
Do keep track of symptoms. Your loved one may be unable to communicate
at the hospital, so the more information you can provide, the better. Keep a
mental or written note of symptoms, including when these symptoms began.
Did they start in the last hour, or did you notice symptoms three hours ago? If
the person has known medical conditions, be prepared to share that
information with the hospital staff. These conditions might include high blood
pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, or diabetes.
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Do talk to the person experiencing a stroke. As you wait for the ambulance
to arrive, gather as much information from the person as possible while
they’re still able to communicate. Ask about any medications they’re taking,
health conditions they have, and known allergies. Write this information
down so you can share it with the doctor, in case your loved one is unable to
communicate later on.
Do encourage the person to lie down. If the person is sitting or standing up,
encourage them to lie down on their side with their head elevated. This
position promotes blood flow to the brain. However, do not move the person
if they’ve fallen. To keep them comfortable, loosen restrictive clothing.
Do perform CPR, if needed. Some people may become unconscious during
a stroke. If this happens, check your loved one to see if they’re still
breathing. If you cannot find a pulse, start performing CPR. If you don’t know
how to perform CPR, the 911 operator can walk you through the process until
help arrives.
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Do stay calm. As hard as it might be, try to stay calm throughout this
process. It’s easier to communicate with the 911 operator when you’re in a
calm state of mind.
What not to do when someone is
experiencing a stroke
Don’t allow the person to drive to the hospital. Stroke symptoms can be
subtle in the beginning. The person may realize something is wrong, but not
suspect a stroke. If you believe the person is having a stroke, don’t let them
drive to the hospital. Call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
Don’t give them any medication. Although aspirin is a blood thinner, don’t
give someone aspirin while they’re having a stroke. A blood clot is only one
cause of a stroke. A stroke can also be caused by a burst blood vessel in the
brain. Since you don’t know which type of stroke the person is having, don’t
give any medication that could make bleeding worse.
Don’t give the person anything to eat or drink. Avoid giving food or water
to someone having a stroke. A stroke can cause muscle weakness
throughout the body and, in some cases, paralysis. If the person has difficulty
swallowing, they could choke on food or water.
The takeaway
A stroke can be a life-threatening situation, so don’t delay in seeking help.
The worst thing you can do is wait to see if symptoms improve. The longer
your loved one goes without help, the more likely it is that they will be left
with a permanent disability. However, if they get to the hospital soon after
experiencing symptoms and receiving appropriate treatment, they have a
much better chance at a smooth recovery.
Last medically reviewed on November 13, 2017
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The Ultimate Color Guide to
Vaginal Discharge
Red-brown
White
See a doctor
Yellow-green
Pink
Clear
Medically reviewed by Janet
Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST —
Written by Sarah Aswell —
Updated on December 3,
2018
Gray
Takeaway
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Let’s be real. We’ve all had that moment when we’ve pulled down our pants
in the bathroom, seen a different color than usual, and asked, “Is that
normal?” which is often followed by questions like “Is it the time of the
month?” and “What did I eat this week?” and even “How was the sex last
night?”
The comforting news is that many colors are normal. Even if you know you’re
in the clear, what do these colors actually mean, anyway?
Well, wonder no longer. We put together a color guide that’s not only
medically accurate, but fun to look at. And even though there’s usually
nothing to worry about, skip to the See a Doctor section if you’re concerned.
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Here’s your Pantone guide to vaginal discharge.
Blood red to dried brown
Red or brown bloody discharge is normal during your period. Colors might
range from cherry red at the beginning of your period to rusty brown. But if
you do see red throughout the month, it could be a sign of a health issue,
like an infection.
Reasons for red or brown discharge
Irregular menstrual cycle or spotting:Some women simply have irregular
periods and spotting. Other women experience spotting due to their birth
control method or hormonal changes.
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Cream and milky white
A variety of white shades of discharge, from eggshell to cream, can be
normal. Unless your discharge is accompanied by certain textures or smells,
don’t fret too much.
Reasons for white discharge
Vaginal lubrication: White discharge occurs for many of the same reasons
as clear discharge. It’s simply natural lubrication, keeping your vaginal tissue
healthy and minimizing friction during sex.
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Pale yellow to neon green
Very light yellow discharge is more normal than you think. Sometimes the
color is daffodil yellow. Other times it’s more of a greener chartreuse.
Reasons for yellow-green discharge
Look to your diet or any supplements you may be taking: This color is
usually a sign of an infection, but if you know you’re in the clear (as in it’s a
one-off occurrence), what you eat could affect the color. Some people report
this color change occurring whenever they take new vitamins or try certain
foods.
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Blushed deep pink
Pink discharge, ranging from a very light blush to the deep pink of a sunset,
is often just a sign of the beginning of your cycle. But at other times, it can be
a sign of a serious health problem.
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Reasons for pink discharge
Sexual intercourse:Some women may periodically experience light bleeding
after intercourse, which can result in pink discharge.
Clear
Clear discharge, which can also be whitish in color, is usually normal. It may
have an egg-white like consistency. It’s also the go-to discharge a healthy
body expels to rebalance itself — because your vagina is an amazing, selfcleaning organ.
Reasons for clear discharge
Ovulation: Is it about day 14 of your cycle? You’re probably ovulating and
producing cervical mucus.
Pregnancy:Pregnancy can also cause a change in hormones and increase
how much discharge you have.
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Sexual arousal: The blood vessels in your vagina dilate and fluid passes
through them, causing an increase in clear, watery discharge. Totally normal.
Storm cloud gray
When white turns to gray, like storm clouds or exhaust, see your doctor or
call your OB-GYN. It could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV),which isa very
common infection in women. Your doctor will likely prescribe antibacterial
ointments or oral antibiotics.
So when should I see a doctor?
If you’re worried about your discharge color, amount, or other symptoms,
your body is pretty good at letting you know. It’ll send some pretty specific
cues like itching, pain, and burning during urination to tell you to get a
downstairs checkup.
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Make an appointment with your doctor anytime your discharge is
accompanied by these symptoms or signs:
itching
pain
burning sensation while you pee
a strong, foul odor
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frothy texture
thick, cottage cheese texture
Yes
vaginal bleeding
No
gray in color
bleeding that’s unrelated to your period
Here’s what the potential medical issues may be for each color:
Clear
YellowGreen
White
hormone
imbalance
Red
Pink
yeast
infection
gonorrhea
or
chlamydia
vaginal
infection
bacterial
vaginosis
(BV)
trichomoni
asis
cancer
(cervical,
uterine)
cervical
Gray
bacterial
vaginosis
(BV)
desquamat
ive
inflammato
ry vaginitis
(DIV)
Sometimes these issues — like gonorrhea or chlamydia — can be eliminated
based on your situation if you’ve never had sex. It’s always a good idea to
get a checkup if you can’t pinpoint a cause or seem unsure of your health
status.
Takeaway
You might not always think of it this way, but vaginal discharge is pretty
amazing. Healthy discharge keeps the vagina clean, wards off infections, and
provides lubrication. It changes with your body’s needs. For example,
discharge increases during sex to prevent discomfort and irritation and
thickens during ovulation to help sperm on their journey to the egg.
It’s also important to keep in mind that a range of shades and amounts of
vaginal discharge is considered normal and varies from person to person.
That’s why we created this color guide to show you how wild this range can
get.
But your vaginal discharge is also a reflection of your health. Watch for
discharge that occurs unexpectedly, which can be a sign of infection or
disease. If your discharge changes significantly in color, consistency,
amount, or smell, you might want to schedule an appointment with your
gynecologist. Likewise, if your discharge is accompanied with an itch or
pelvic pain, it’s time to see your doctor.
Read this article in Spanish.
Sarah Aswell is a freelance writer who lives in
Missoula, Montana, with her husband and two
daughters. Her writing has appeared in
publications that include The New Yorker,
McSweeney’s, National Lampoon, and
Reductress.
Last medically reviewed on July 21, 2017
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Medically reviewed by Patricia Geraghty, MSN, FNP-BC,
WHNP
Aging can be a touchy subject for women, but
knowing what’s going on “down there” is
important as your body matures. Here’s a guide
for vaginal health…
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