White discharge during pregnancy: should I be worried?

Pregnancy will bring a roller coaster of emotions. You will feel happy, tearful, excited and anxious all at once. But emotions are not all about pregnancy. Your body will experience tremendous physical changes and as an expectant mother, these changes can sometimes be shocking. One such phenomenon that can raise suspicion is white discharge during pregnancy – a sign prevalent in about 43% of pregnant women.

Most women are familiar with different types of vaginal discharge But what does discharge during pregnancy mean? In this article, Dr Pujil Gulati, a senior IVF specialist in Gurgaon, will explore everything you need to know about vaginal discharge during pregnancy and how to deal with it.

What is white discharge during pregnancy?

As the name suggests, white discharge during pregnancy is a discharge that women experience during pregnancy. It is thin, white in color and has a milky texture. With or without pregnancy, vaginal discharge is a normal occurrence. Before we discuss milky white discharge during pregnancy, let us understand the concept of normal discharge aka leukorrhea

What is leukorrhea?

Leukorrhea is the medical term for vaginal discharge. Vaginal discharge is the fluid made by the vagina and cervix that helps to keep your vagina moist and clean. It also helps to protect you from infection. There are different types of vaginal discharges based on their color, texture, or cause. Some common types include –

Clean and watery
Clear and stretchy
Brown or bloody
Yellow or green

You may have more vaginal discharge than normal when you’re pregnant. but Changes in vaginal discharge might indicate a condition requiring medical attention. It’s important to know what’s normal and when to seek medical help. If you are a newly pregnant woman, leucorrhoea pregnancy discharge will not be any different from what you experience between menstrual periods Leukorrhea during pregnancy is often regarded as an early sign of pregnancy discharge. You will notice a change in the normal discharge a week or two before conception. Most women notice an increase in their current discharge that continues throughout pregnancy. The thick white discharge during pregnancy will get thicker as your pregnancy progresses. It is, usually, the thickest as your conception nears its end

Why does leukorrhea happen?

Leukorrhea or vaginal discharge is a normal body function that indicates good health. Almost all women experience vaginal discharge during their reproductive years. There are many causes for Leukorrhea Mainly, it is your body’s natural way of cleaning the vagina. Through normal bodily discharge, your body is paving the way to protect itself from many types of bacteria. Apart from its bodily function, normal vaginal discharge can also be caused by a bacterial or yeast infection.

Why does leukorrhea pregnancy occur?

However, the causes of l leukorrhea pregnancy may vary slightly. There are many causes of white discharge (abnormal) during pregnancy which include:

Sexually transmitted infections – Gonorrhea and chlamydia are some of the STIs that can cause abnormal milky white discharge during pregnancy.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Cervical cancer
Yeast infection: Sometimes, thick white discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of yeast or fungal infection

Is white discharge in pregnancy normal?

Vaginal discharge is a highly common occurrence. Similarly, white discharge is normal in pregnancy, however, you should keep an eye out for any unusual changes. As mentioned above, the discharge in early pregnancy is thin, white and less smelly, if you notice anything unusual or different from this description, note it down to make your obstetrician aware of it. You can keep a diary to record the changes in colour, texture and odour in your vaginal discharge to avoid any pregnancy complications for you and your baby.

When to seek help for abnormal clear discharge during pregnancy?

As we discussed above, leucorrhoea is a healthy bodily function. However, it is important to pay attention to any unusual symptoms, especially during pregnancy.

Now that you know what a healthy leucorrhoea pregnancy looks like, you will be able to identify abnormal signs. Some common abnormal symptoms to look out for are:

Yellow, gray or green coloured discharge
Excessievly strong and fouly smell
Itching and redness on the vulva
Fever
Pain in the abdomen
Unexplained and sudden weight loss
Fatigue
Bleeding
Increased urination

pink or brown discharge could indicate implantation bleeding. Light spotting in the vagina during pregnancy is also not a cause for worry. It’s best to reach out to your obstetrician if you have any worries. When trying to conceive, you and your partner should get tested for STIs to avoid guessing the cause of white discharge during pregnancy. Also, abnormal discharge can be a sign of potential pregnancy complications. You should not be worried if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. Your healthcare provider is the right person to identify the exact problem and provide appropriate treatment for it.

These are some of the best home remedies to ease your discomfort

Take a bath regularly: Bathing daily and changing your undergarments is the first step you can take. A fresh bath can instantly clean your genitals and get rid of the discharge. Before more vaginal discharge collects in your undergarments, it may be time to bathe again. Also, bathing daily can prevent the accumulation of bacteria and prevent infection.
Wear breathable cotton undergarments: Regardless of pregnancy, the type of undergarments you wear can reflect the overall health of your intimate area If your undergarments are not breathable, you are more likely to get an infection. Cotton padded garments are ideal as they absorb excess secretions. Additionally, you should ensure that other layers of clothing such as your jeans or leggings are comfortable and not overly tight.
Avoid using any products on your vagina: Do not use any cosmetic or cleansing products on your vagina unless advised by your obstetrician. Such products can further damage your genital area or cause inflammation.
Practice good bathroom hygiene: Your trips to the bathroom may increase during pregnancy. You should make sure to clean your vagina every time you urinate.
Eat healthy foods: Your cervical mucus can also be affected by the type of foods you eat. Do not eat foods that cause inflammation or digestive problems. Despite food cravings, it is suggested that you keep your sugar intake under control to avoid discharge. Talk to your healthcare provider about which foods are safe to eat to avoid the possibility of infection.

The concluding note :-

Experiencing white discharge during pregnancy is not a cause for concern. Still, since you will feel many new symptoms and changes during this time, it is in your best interest to know what they mean.To know more about pregnancy or basic gynaecological health, book an appointment with Dr Pujil Gulati, Senior IVF Specialist at Babybloom IVF Hospital today.

Q: When to Worry About Abnormal Discharge During Pregnancy

White discharge during pregnancy is typically normal. However, you should seek medical attention if the discharge turns yellow, brown, pink, or green, has a foul odor, or is accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, or itching.

Q: Can white discharge mean miscarriage?

Milky white discharge is healthy during pregnancy. However, if your vaginal discharge is tinged with blood, you should immediately visit your obstetrician.

Q: How much white discharge is normal in pregnancy?

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