Are secretions dangerous in late pregnancy - possible causes of secretion. The different nature of the discharge during pregnancy in late pregnancy. What is considered a deviation from the norm
Any future mother dreams of bearing a healthy child, and therefore is wary of all changes in the body. After all, most of them are “alarming” bells. For example, even mild lower back pain during pregnancy can signal a threatened miscarriage or early labor.
What can we say about the day when a woman notices white discharge during pregnancy. Of course, the expectant mother is scared. And in vain! In most cases, you don't need to worry. But so that you have no doubts, let's look at the causes of leucorrhoea and figure out when the help of a doctor is necessary and when not.
White discharge in early pregnancy
Literally from the first days after conception, the hormonal background begins to change in the body of a woman. The production of the hormone progesterone increases, one of the "side effects" of this change is the appearance of white discharge. They can be viscous, with an abundant content of mucus, but without smell and "flakes". This is fine. It is not necessary to be scared and try to get rid of such white discharge during pregnancy. Sometimes such leucorrhoea accompanies a woman for the entire period of bearing a child. Unpleasant, of course, but there's nothing to be done.
But most often, abundant white discharge during pregnancy lasts only the first 12 weeks. Then they noticeably become scarce or disappear altogether. This is due to the fact that progesterone is intensively produced only in the first trimester. It is necessary for the normal attachment of the embryo in the uterus and the formation of the placenta. As soon as this happens, whites will practically disappear.
Another reason that causes white discharge during pregnancy is the formation of a mucous plug. Its main purpose is to protect the uterine cavity from infection during the entire time the baby develops there. The formation of a mucous plug also occurs up to 12 weeks.
From the 13th week until the last month of pregnancy, there is almost no white discharge. And if there is, it's minor. However, there are exceptions. But most often the reason for their appearance is not so harmless. In particular, if whites have a sharp unpleasant odor, and the consistency resembles flakes or cottage cheese.
Curdled whites - a sign of candidiasis
Abundant or scanty white curdled discharge during pregnancy is a manifestation of candidiasis. The causative agents of the disease are yeast-like fungi, and in addition to the discharge, which has a sharp sour smell, the woman is also worried about itching or burning in the genital area. There is little pleasant in this and it is necessary to get rid of the disease, the sooner the better.
Thrush not cured before childbirth (as candidiasis is also popularly called) can cause a lot of trouble for the mother and baby. The child will be infected during the passage of the birth canal, and the pathogens of candidiasis "settle" on the mucous membranes of the baby. Just imagine how itching and burning in the oral cavity and genital area will disturb him. Will he be able to grow, eat, sleep and develop normally?
Therefore, it is necessary to cure candidiasis before the baby is born. Treatment should be selected by a gynecologist. After all, most of the medications that are effectively used to treat this disease are prohibited for pregnant women. In addition, the doctor will select the drug only after carefully studying the results of the smear analysis.
Not only the future mother should be treated, but also the future father. Of course, men almost never get candidiasis, but they are "carriers" of yeast-like fungi that cause the disease. If the husband refuses treatment, then curdled white discharge during pregnancy in a woman who actively continues to live sexually will appear again and again.
It should be noted that in addition to candidiasis, there are other diseases that cause abundant white discharge during pregnancy. But all whites, the appearance of which provoked the disease, have an unpleasant odor and a change in appearance. Therefore, immediately consult a doctor if the discharge does not look like it usually does.
White discharge in late pregnancy
Most often, again, thick white discharge during pregnancy appears in the last month of bearing a child. They, just like in the early stages, in their appearance resemble mucus, only white. The reason for their occurrence is the maturation of the cervix and its preparation for the upcoming birth. As a rule, such white discharge in late pregnancy is odorless and does not bother the woman, except for their increased volume.
Also, sometimes ladies in the second half of their "interesting" position find watery white or transparent discharge. This fact should alert, as it may indicate leakage of amniotic fluid! Of course, this is not necessary, but nevertheless, if you have watery, white, odorless discharge during pregnancy, be sure to visit a doctor.
It is also possible to change the consistency and appearance of the whites at the very end of the child's gestation period. As a rule, at or 40 weeks of gestation, white discharge becomes too plentiful and thick. Sometimes you can even see thin bloody streaks in them, which means that the cervix is \u200b\u200bready for childbirth, and the mucous plug has come off.
Sometimes contractions come just a few hours later or at the same time as the cork comes out. But, it happens that they need to wait another week. At this time, it is especially important to pay attention to the increased hygiene of the organs of the reproductive and excretory system!
Hygiene and prevention of discharge during pregnancy
During pregnancy, increased hygiene is very important. Especially in the early stages and after the discharge of the mucous plug, when the white discharge during pregnancy becomes the strongest. Indeed, at this time, the risk of infection of the fetus increases several times. In order to avoid it, you should:
- Wear cotton underwear, as synthetics can provoke the appearance of an inflammatory process.
- Use panty liners and change them when they get dirty.
- Try to wash the genitals and anus after each act of defecation and urination. Thus, you will not only prevent the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria, but also will not know what hemorrhoids are during pregnancy.
- Avoid spicy, salty and spicy foods, since such foods can change the flora of the vagina, which often results in the appearance of diseases, including candidiasis.
- Refrain from sexual intercourse in the last weeks of pregnancy.
These simple ways of increased hygiene will help you not only endure calmly, but also give birth to a healthy baby!
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It is very important for any pregnant woman to know how the process of bearing a fetus should proceed. Can white discharge appear during late pregnancy or yellow? How should one behave in this case?
In obstetrics, 35 and all subsequent weeks of pregnancy are considered late. It is at this time that a woman's body is preparing for the upcoming period of childbirth, launching a whole cascade of biochemical and other reactions, the end result of which is the birth of a baby.
The female genital tract has an epithelial lining that synthesizes mucous secretions even in normal conditions. The physico-chemical properties of this mucus are largely subject to change, arising in response to changes in the hormonal background, the addition of pathogenic and opportunistic microflora, as well as the appearance of bleeding.
The amount of discharge in late pregnancy should steadily increase, which is associated with a decrease in the volume of amniotic fluid and leakage of fluid through the mucous membrane of the genital tract.
This phenomenon should be regarded as completely normal. If the discharge is transparent or almost transparent, does not have a sharp unpleasant odor, does not cause itching or burning, and is not accompanied by pain or a sharp increase in fetal activity, there is nothing to worry about. However, you still need to visit an obstetrician-gynecologist.
It is necessary to evaluate the volume and color of pads according to the changes that occur on daily pads. You need to change hygiene products at least once a day, and in late pregnancy - much more often.
A variety of transparent discharge is the discharge of amniotic fluid. In this case, the discharge becomes watery, their number increases significantly. The situation is becoming urgent. The discharge of water indicates the onset of childbirth, and therefore the woman should be immediately taken to the maternity ward.
White discharge
White discharge can occur in normal conditions, as well as in pathology. This symptom should be considered as a whole. If the appearance of whitish discharge is not accompanied by the addition of other symptoms, in most cases such conditions can be considered as a kind of norm.
Another thing is if there is itching and burning in the genital tract, the discharge begins to smell bad, their number increases dramatically, in which case the pregnancy may be complicated by the addition of vulvovaginal candidiasis, popularly called thrush.
In such cases, the discharge may be cheesy. Infection of the body with fungi of the genus Candida can cause significant discomfort to a woman and therefore requires immediate treatment.
Treatment of thrush is not difficult. Pharmacies sell countless anti-candida drugs. However, given the context, it is categorically not recommended to resort to self-medication. The only right choice is to contact a specialist.
Yellow discharge during late pregnancy
I repeat, normal discharge should be transparent, possibly with a slight whitish color. The appearance of a yellow color is almost always either the result of insufficient or improper hygiene, or indicates the addition of nonspecific vaginitis.
When the course of pregnancy is complicated by an infectious process, the discharge in most cases is purulent in nature: yellowish, foul smell, increase in quantity, the appearance of soreness and itching in the genital tract and other negative manifestations.
In this case, you must immediately contact a specialist. The focus of infection that struck the birth canal and located in close proximity to the amniotic membranes can be an extremely dangerous phenomenon.
The basis of therapeutic measures in this case is antibacterial agents, the choice of which is entirely under the control of the gynecologist. In addition, the doctor will probably prescribe other medications aimed at stimulating the protective properties of the body.
Brown discharge during late pregnancy
The appearance of a brown color of discharge in the later stages should also be differentiated. Such a coloration may indicate the passage of a mucous plug from the cervical canal, which may indicate the onset of labor and therefore is not a big deal.
Also, the cause of brownish discharge may be cervical erosion or a viral infection. In both cases, a visit to a specialist is indispensable. Moreover, given the approaching birth, postponing a visit to the gynecologist leading the pregnancy is highly discouraged.
An even more dangerous condition in which this kind of discharge can occur is placental abruption. Without immediate help, such ailments often lead to intrauterine death of the fetus.
With the appearance of a reddish color, as well as streaks of blood, one can suspect bleeding - a rather dangerous condition, not even during pregnancy and therefore requiring immediate specialist intervention. Pink discharge can also talk about bleeding.
Given the peculiarities of the condition, a pregnant woman should punctually monitor the dynamics of secretions from the genital tract and, if any changes appear, whatever they may be, immediately seek help from a gynecologist leading the pregnancy.
White discharge during pregnancy is a reason for the close attention of the expectant mother. Still, after all, such a reaction of the body refers directly to the baby growing inside the woman. Doctors find more than one explanation for the appearance of suspicious clots, but the main reason is a radical restructuring of all systems of the mother's body for the safe bearing of crumbs.
When the embryo is firmly implanted in the thickness of the inner wall of the uterus, its cervix is clogged with a dense mucous plug, thanks to which the infection cannot penetrate to the baby in order to harm him. Therefore, an increase in the volume of vaginal discharge from the 13th week of pregnancy is considered a completely natural phenomenon, and this should not embarrass the expectant mother.
The mechanism of formation of whites during pregnancy
In the first trimester of an “interesting” position, the female body is highly dependent on the hormone progesterone. The corpus luteum is responsible for the production of the substance, which is formed immediately after the follicle ruptures. From the moment of fertilization of the egg, the corpus luteum begins to grow and synthesizes more and more progesterone every day. With a deficiency of this hormone, pregnancy is very difficult to maintain. It is thanks to progesterone that the cervix closes with a cork consisting of dense mucus. This during pregnancy is indicated by thick white discharge, which the mother with enviable regularity finds on her underwear in the first months after conception.
Everything is in order if the discharge is presented by mucous, transparent or milky-white clots without any smell. They do not bring any inconvenience to the woman, as they do not irritate the vaginal mucosa. Cleanliness reduces the problem to nothing - carefully observing the rules of personal hygiene, a pregnant woman may not notice the discharge at all, therefore, she will not have any reason for concern. After childbirth, the vaginal microflora returns to normal without any medical intervention, and excessive discharge disappears.
But a few days before the birth of the baby, the amount of mucous secretion, on the contrary, increases. This is a normal phenomenon provided by female physiology. Thus, the body prepares for the upcoming birth. If the release of a clear liquid or clots in late pregnancy is not accompanied by pain, there is nothing to be afraid of - there will be no immediate onset of labor. But if a pregnant woman notices not too abundant clear discharge for 1 to 2 hours and feels a dull pulling pain in the lumbar region or lower abdomen, most likely, her water began to break. In this case, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
White discharge during pregnancy is considered an alarming sign if fungal, bacterial or infectious diseases are behind such a symptom. A very important point in this unpleasant situation is the timely appeal to specialists for help in the form of competent treatment - the health of the child is at stake! For the first time, the expectant mother should be alert when she finds that the vaginal discharge has a slightly greenish or gray tint (however, the color palette of pathological mucous clots is quite large) and an unpleasant or strange smell. This is a sufficient reason for a complete examination, blood donation and vaginal smear for analysis. You can’t hesitate, because a yeast infection, bacterial vaginitis, trichomoniasis and other dangerous diseases can settle in the woman’s body next to the crumbs.
Why does white discharge appear during pregnancy?
There are more than enough factors contributing to the formation of transparent and white clots in the vaginal cavity. Let's consider the most important of them:
- First of all, an increase in the vaginal secretion is caused by pregnancy itself, when the lumen of the cervix is blocked by a protective mucous plug. Normally, the color of such secretions varies from light beige to milky white. The increased production of vaginal secretion does not cause any discomfort to the expectant mother.
- When the nature of the mucous clots changes - they acquire a pronounced greenish, yellow or gray color, a well-perceived sour or any other unpleasant odor - the reason for this is an infection that has entered the mother's body. In this case, a woman may experience a number of other alarming symptoms. They are expressed, as a rule, by general malaise, dizziness and rapid fatigue of a woman. The body of a pregnant woman in this case is too weakened to withstand various infectious diseases.
- Thrush is one of the most common problems faced by many pregnant women. Allocations lose their transparency, acquiring a white color and a curdled consistency. In addition, there is a smell reminiscent of brewer's yeast, and severe itching of the external genital organs. The situation is sometimes further complicated by the fact that against the background of vaginal candidiasis, other pathogenic microorganisms may appear, which will further aggravate the situation of the pregnant woman. One thing reassures - today it is easy to eliminate thrush and with adequate treatment, by the time the child is born, there is not a trace of it left.
- White, odorless discharge during pregnancy often appears on the days on which the woman should have had critical days if conception had not occurred. The appearance of moderate mucous clots usually does not bring discomfort, but if a pregnant woman feels something similar to pain or cramps in the lower abdomen, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
- In some cases, the sudden appearance of copious white discharge precedes spontaneous abortion or indicates that the fetus has stopped developing.
- Sometimes the appearance of white discharge during pregnancy (photo) is not caused by an internal, but by an external cause, which lies in the use of daily pads. Most manufacturers produce these personal care products based on various additives and "natural" extracts, they may well provoke the development of an allergic reaction, one of the signs of which is the release of whites. Panty liners for pregnant women should be the simplest - white and odorless.
White discharge during pregnancy as a signal of illness
So, we found out that white discharge in the early stages of pregnancy is due to physiological changes in the body, they are considered a pattern. But the expectant mother needs to remember that sometimes whites are one of the signs of a disease that can harm not only her, but also her baby. All diseases of this kind require timely diagnosis and responsible treatment.
For example, abundant white discharge during pregnancy, which has a sour smell and a lumpy consistency resembling cottage cheese, indicates the active activity of a fungus of the genus Candida. This pathogen is one of those microorganisms that are constantly present in the microflora of the vagina. With the onset of pregnancy, the body's immune forces decrease, on this soil the fungus begins to multiply rapidly, giving rise to vaginal candidiasis, which we have already mentioned. It is impossible to fight the disease on your own - many drugs against thrush are prohibited during pregnancy, so only a doctor can prescribe an effective and safe course of treatment.
Yellow-white or greenish discharge may indicate the presence of an infectious disease in a pregnant woman, although, of course, you should not panic ahead of time. Sometimes greenish vaginal mucus appears after the mucous membrane of the genital tract has been mechanically damaged. This could well have happened during the examination of a pregnant woman on a gynecological chair. In this case, the discharge is short-lived.
Most often, whites with an admixture of a suspicious shade during pregnancy are symptomatic, indicating the development of a certain disease. For example, such a picture is typical for vaginal dysbiosis, which future mothers often face. Pathology is distinguished by secretions resembling exfoliating films and a pronounced fishy smell.
Allocations of a greenish tint, which are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, pain when urinating and frequent urination, indicate an inflammatory reaction that has engulfed the organs of the genitourinary system. If the ovaries or fallopian tubes are inflamed, the mucus becomes a rich yellow color, a fever may begin.
Gardnerellosis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis - all these sexual infections can develop and manifest themselves already in the presence of pregnancy. Greenish, purulent or vesicular discharge, painful urination, burning sensation are common signs of such diseases. Fortunately, if a problem is detected in time during pregnancy and quickly eliminated, this will not affect the health of the baby in any way.
If there are streaks of blood in the white discharge during pregnancy, and the mucus itself is not thick, but watery, then the expectant mother should immediately inform her doctor about this - she may have cervicitis (inflammation of the cervical canal) or cervical erosion. If you leave the problem without attention, it will seriously complicate the course of pregnancy.
How to get rid of the problem
The appearance of transparent or white discharge in the expectant mother, which is a natural physiological process, does not require any intervention with the use of drugs. However, with her fears and questions, a woman needs to contact a gynecologist in any case.
Discharge during pregnancy, provoked by the presence of a bacterial infection in the body of the expectant mother, is difficult to treat, since many antibacterial drugs are contraindicated for the patient at this time. To suppress the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms and restore a healthy balance of the vaginal microflora, the doctor will select drugs that will minimally affect the fetus. The complex of treatment will also include drugs that support the immune system of a pregnant woman at the proper level. During treatment, a woman should eat well and spend more time outdoors.
Infectious diseases that caused the appearance of leucorrhea during pregnancy must be eliminated without fail, otherwise not only the woman, but also her baby will suffer. It is especially difficult to get rid of neglected diseases, their treatment takes a lot of time and effort, therefore, if the slightest suspicious symptoms appear, a pregnant woman should not hesitate to seek help from specialists. Self-treatment of such diseases is strictly prohibited!
To combat infection in pregnant women, doctors use specially designed treatment regimens for such cases, using the safest proven drugs, the action of which does not affect the child's condition in any way. Therapy is carried out on the basis of laboratory tests of the patient's blood and smears.
To eliminate thrush, it is enough to use drugs with a local spectrum of action. These are creams, vaginal suppositories, ointments. If vaginal candidiasis is at the initial stage of development, Pimafucin alone can be dispensed with, but if the form of the disease is neglected, then the doctor will prescribe a complex treatment for the expectant mother with antifungal drugs. To alleviate unpleasant symptoms, after agreeing with the gynecologist, you can use traditional medicine recipes - douche with a decoction of oak bark, marigolds or a solution of water, iodine and salt.
What is the most important thing for a woman who is anxiously counting down the days left before meeting her long-awaited baby? Perhaps, calmness and confidence that her own health will not let her down. And for this you need to enlist the support of a competent specialist. Remember that in such a delicate and vulnerable position as pregnancy, you cannot take drastic steps at your own discretion, otherwise you can harm the baby. All concerns, whether white discharge or feeling unwell during pregnancy, should be discussed with your gynecologist. Be healthy!
White discharge during pregnancy. Video
The entire 9-month period of intrauterine development of the fetus is caused by significant fluctuations in vaginal secretions due to hormonal changes. Discharge during pregnancy in late pregnancy involves preparation for labor, so they become more abundant and acquire a more liquid basis due to the significant production of estrogen.
Normal vaginal secretions in late pregnancy
From the second trimester, estrogen predominates in the body of a pregnant woman, which affects the state of the vaginal secretion. In the later stages, before childbirth, liquid creamy and often abundant secretions normally predominate.The color remains transparent, brown streaks and a whitish color, later, mucus and a discharge plug from the cervix can add. The normal state of the secret is due to the absence of smell and a homogeneous consistency, which does not cause discomfort.
Increased watery light discharge becomes an indicator that the discharge of amniotic fluid has begun and labor is approaching.
Deviations from the norm
If discharge during pregnancy in late pregnancy brings discomfort, changes color or smell, then there is a danger of the appearance of pathological bacteria in the microflora of the vagina, which leads to the threat of premature birth.- Bloody vaginal secretions, often brown in color, indicate placental abruption and its aging. Pink color occurs when the pharynx opens and the mucous plug begins to move away. With heavy bleeding in the later stages, immediate medical attention will be required, especially if there are sharp pains in the lower abdomen.
- White curdled secretions, which are accompanied by a sour smell and itching, indicate the reproduction of the Candida fungus in the vagina, candidiasis or thrush is diagnosed. Pathology poses a danger to the formation of the baby, due to the possible infection during the appearance of the child in the process of childbirth. Medical treatment should be carried out immediately.
- Green strong discharge is accompanied by a specific unpleasant odor, itching occurs on the external genital organs, the situation is dangerous for the further intrauterine formation of the baby. Pathology is associated with the formation of bacterial vaginosis or with sexually transmitted diseases.
- Yellow color is caused by inflammation of the cervix and appendages. The danger lies in the appearance of purulent secretions of a dark yellow hue and their penetration into the cavity to the child.
To diagnose a change in the color of secretion and for the purpose of hygiene in the later stages, it is necessary to use sanitary pads, preferably without flavorings. Such a measure will help to independently assess the structure of the discharge, if suspicions of an infection are confirmed, then a doctor's consultation is required.
During the entire stage of gestation, a woman is accompanied by various discharges. In the first three months, these are thicker secretions; by the end, liquid vaginal secretions predominate. But, at any stage, changes that are accompanied by unpleasant sensations are a sign of a developing pathology.
