Different types of pregnancy discharge are normal, including odorless leucorrhoea, brownish spotting, and cottage cheese-like discharge from yeast infections. Watery discharge could indicate amniotic fluid leakage. Unusual discharge with odor or itching may indicate an infection, while clear and thin discharge may indicate amniotic fluid leakage and requires medical attention.
A woman can experience different types of discharge during pregnancy. The most common type of pregnancy discharge, however, is called leucorrhoea, which is whitish in appearance and can sometimes feel like mucous. A woman may also experience spotting during pregnancy, which is often brownish or whitish with red or pink streaks. Sometimes a woman may also have thick, cottage cheese-like discharge during pregnancy, which may be the result of a yeast infection. Also, some women notice watery pregnancy discharge during mid to late pregnancy, which could be the result of amniotic fluid leakage.
Having more vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy and usually not a cause for alarm. Often women notice odorless discharge that has a slightly milky appearance during pregnancy. This type of discharge is normally made up of a combination of dead skin cells and various vaginal and cervical secretions. At the end of pregnancy, this discharge can also take on a mucus-like quality. Often, this occurs when a woman’s cervix is changing and begins to lose the mucus barrier that protects her cervix and reproductive organs from the outside world.
Sometimes pregnancy discharge is more often than usual; has an unpleasant or pungent odor; or is accompanied by itching and irritation in the vaginal area. If so, the pregnant woman may have a vaginal infection. Yeast infections, which can be treated with over-the-counter medications, are common during pregnancy and cause symptoms such as itching and burning; redness; and a discharge reminiscent of cottage cheese. If a discharge has a fishy odor or is green or yellowish, the woman may have a more serious infection and may need medical evaluation.
While no woman wants to see bleeding during pregnancy, many women experience spotting during pregnancy. For example, a pregnant woman might notice brown spots or see pink or red streaks in her underwear. Sometimes the spotting is so little that a woman may only notice it when she wipes herself with toilet paper. While spotting may not mean that something is wrong with her developing baby, a mom-to-be might do well to seek medical advice when she notices it.
If a woman notices pregnancy discharge that is clear and thin, she probably should contact her doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, this discharge can mean that a woman is leaking amniotic fluid. The only way to know for sure, however, is to seek help from a healthcare professional.
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