During pregnancy, your discharge may be different to what you’re used to throughout your regular periods. Your body is going through all sorts of changes, and discharge is one of them. As your pregnancy progresses, you may experience more, less, or different discharge than usual. 

 

This article seeks to provide some help towards expecting mums, but it should not replace medical guidance from a licensed OB-GYNE or medical professional.

Why am I experiencing more discharge than usual?

During pregnancy, changes to your cervix and womb may increase your body’s discharge production. Reasons for this include:

  • The pressure of the baby’s head pushing down on the cervix
  • Softening of the cervix
  • Increased blood flow to vagina, cervix and uterus
  • Thick discharge helps prevent infection from travelling through the cervix

If the discharge is bothering you, there are a few things you can do to decrease your discomfort.

  • Avoid intimate washes or any scented soaps
  • Wash your vagina, perineum and anus with warm water more frequently
  • Use unscented liners
  • Change your underwear more frequently
  • Avoid underwear when possible to let the area ‘breathe’
  • Consider if your laundry detergent is irritating. Try an extra rinse cycle at the end of each wash, and change your detergent.

If you experience itchiness, soreness, or notice discharge changing in appearance, colour or smell, consult your doctor.

What should my discharge look like?

Generally, healthy discharge is clear or white. It can be watery, or stretchy like egg whites. It may have a smell, but this shouldn’t be offensive. Consult your doctor if your discharge becomes:

  • sticky or ‘claggy’ like cottage cheese
  • green, yellow or red in colour
  • you notice blood in your discharge
  • you notice a strong, unpleasant or ‘fishy’ smell

What is the mucus plug?

Your cervix will become ‘plugged’ by mucus during pregnancy. This helps to prevent infection from travelling up into the uterus and provides some resistance to the gravity of the baby’s weight pushing down on your cervix.

When this plug loosens, it’s called ‘the show’. This may be a sign of early labour as it may loosen between a few weeks to a few hours before labour begins. It is not unusual for the show to appear pink, brown, grey, blood-stained or mucus-streaked. If you are close to term, you do not need to panic about the appearance of this discharge. As always, consult your doctor if you are concerned or if your discharge is an unusual colour or you notice any vaginal bleeding.

Discharge and Pregnancy

Questions about vaginal discharge are some of the more common pregnancy questions for mums-to-be. Since these changes are quite normal, individuals who have gone to term should be able to tell you more about their own experience. Remember, this is a normal part of your pregnancy–and there’s absolutely nothing wrong or shameful about it! 

 

If you find yourself experiencing uncommon symptoms or are feeling more concerned, then it is best to consult with your doctor.