What should be the discharge in the early stages of pregnancy - the norm and signs of pathology. discharge at the end of pregnancy. Abundant pathological discharge during pregnancy: white, gray, yellow, greenish, with a smell
During the period of bearing a child, a woman bears a great responsibility. She must carefully monitor not only her health, but also the condition of the baby. Therefore, if a woman begins to be disturbed by heavy discharge during pregnancy, it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist.
During the period of expectation of the baby in the body of a woman, the hormonal background changes greatly. It is progesterone that causes clear discharge during early pregnancy. During the first trimester, they are distinguished by a thick consistency. This is required to protect the fetal egg.
With the onset of pregnancy, blood circulation in the pelvic organs increases. In the same period of time, the formation of a cork occurs. Both factors provoke active secretion of mucus.
The female body during pregnancy can respond to any changes. So, for example, heavy discharge during pregnancy can provoke new lingerie or personal care products. In this regard, many gynecologists do not recommend the use of scented soaps and panty liners with fragrances.
Very important! Only those discharges that are not accompanied by pain and do not have an unpleasant odor are considered the norm. Any other manifestations require immediate medical advice.
Abundant discharge during pregnancy varies depending on the period. The same manifestations can be harmless at the beginning of the process of bearing a child and cause serious pathology at the end.
1 trimester
At the beginning of pregnancy, the discharge should normally be viscous without a significant odor. Sometimes they are almost invisible, they do not create any discomfort for a woman.
In the first months of pregnancy, brown or reddish discharge may appear during the period of time when menstruation occurred before conception. In this case, the woman feels pain in the lower abdomen and in the lumbar region. If bloody fluid is released in another period of time, this may indicate a threat of termination of pregnancy.
In the first three months, you need to carefully monitor any manifestations, as the attachment of the fetal egg occurs. If an infection develops in a woman's body, this can later cause placental abruption.
2nd and 3rd trimester
During pregnancy, the discharge in the second and third trimester increases due to the activity of estrogens. They affect the permeability of the vessels of the walls of the vagina. Because of this, abundant secretions occur, which become less viscous.
During this period, you need to pay attention to their color. From the second trimester, only clear discharge is considered the norm. A change in color may indicate the development of an infection.
If a woman is concerned about a large amount of fluid at the end of the third trimester, you need to contact a gynecologist, as this may begin to break water.
Allocations bother women not only during the period of bearing a child, but also after childbirth. In the first weeks they are bright red bloody. They appear due to the fact that the surface of the uterus has not yet healed, dead tissue comes out of it. 20 days after birth, the discharge becomes almost invisible.
From day 10 they should be less abundant and change their color to yellow-white or yellow. In this case, the discharge should not be accompanied by an increase in temperature and a deterioration in general well-being.
White discharge during pregnancy of a liquid consistency and without a pungent odor is the norm. They should not irritate the skin and give a feeling of discomfort. By the end of the term, their number may increase. Especially often, women are faced with the appearance of a large amount of fluid in the morning after sleep. Many mistake this phenomenon for water leakage. But, if at the same time there is no pain in the lower abdomen, then there is nothing to worry about. Only if the fluid in large quantities continues to flow for several hours, you need to go to the maternity hospital.
Expectant mothers do not always observe abundant transparent white discharge. They can be yellowish, brown, red and beige. Any change in color indicates that pathological changes are occurring in the body. If you find such secretions, you should immediately consult a doctor.
White
Not all white discharge is normal during pregnancy. Often women are faced with the development of thrush. Hormonal changes in the body lead to a decrease in immunity, which becomes unable to cope with fungal infections. If the discharge in early pregnancy is associated with thrush, then the following symptoms will be observed:
- Abundant curd discharge of white color with a sour smell.
- Itching in the vaginal area, which is worse at night and after taking a bath.
Many expectant mothers are worried about thrush throughout their pregnancy. Even after treatment, they may occur again.
In addition to thrush, pregnant women may experience vaginal dysbacteriosis, which is manifested by secretions with an unpleasant odor. This is a very dangerous disease that can lead to premature birth.
Brown
The most dangerous are red, brown and pale pink discharge. In the later stages, this phenomenon means the development of pathology. If spotting is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, this may indicate a threat of miscarriage. In this case, you must urgently consult a doctor and observe bed rest.
Profuse brownish or brown discharge during pregnancy may indicate placental abruption, miscarriage, or cervical erosion. In addition, it can be a signal of the development of infectious diseases.
yellow
Abundant yellow discharge during pregnancy, which does not have an unpleasant odor, is most often normal. But, if they have a dark shade and cause discomfort to the pregnant woman, you should consult a doctor.
Such secretions can cause:
- development of inflammatory processes.
- spontaneous abortion.
- The presence of a venereal disease with yellow-green discharge.
- Bright yellow - infectious processes in the tubes or ovaries.
Most often, yellow discharge is a symptom of an inflammatory, infectious process. Most of these inflammations were present in a woman before pregnancy, but were not treated in a timely manner. In this regard, women are advised to undergo a complete examination before conception.
Discharge with blood
A lot of discharge during pregnancy with bloody impurities appear in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. They can appear due to a gynecological examination, after intercourse, and also during the period when menstruation was supposed to begin. In this case, a woman may feel pulling pains in the lower abdomen.
Very abundant discharge with blood in the first weeks of pregnancy is considered dangerous. They can be caused by an ectopic pregnancy or threatened miscarriage.
Discharge during pregnancy is difficult to prevent, but it is possible to use preventive measures to reduce the risk of their occurrence. Particular attention should be paid to intimate hygiene, to avoid stress and overexertion. In addition, proper nutrition and proper sleep play an important role.
The time allotted for bearing a child is always characterized by some changes for the female body. First of all, they relate to the hormonal background. It is worth noting that usually the sexual secret is secreted in fairly small quantities, but abundant discharge during pregnancy is quite common. An important role in determining the norm or pathology is played by their duration, consistency, color, smell and trimester in which they appeared.
Causes of heavy discharge
Hormones are considered the main factor influencing the appearance of this symptom. They play an important role in preparing a woman's body for childbearing and childbirth.
After conception, there is also a rush of blood to the internal genital organs, which also affects the amount of secretion secreted and is an additional factor in the appearance of such a sign.
The causes of heavy discharge during pregnancy depend on the gestational age. This is due to the fact that the processes occurring in the body in different periods are somewhat different. It is immediately worth noting that the information below refers specifically to the normal course of pregnancy without any pathological manifestations.
Heavy bleeding in the first trimester
Intense light discharge during early pregnancy is a common occurrence, since it is during this period that an active restructuring of all body systems takes place. Among the main reasons affecting the increased production of secretions in the first trimester are:
- increased production of the hormone progesterone;
- a rush of blood to the pelvic organs;
- implantation of the fetal egg;
- the formation of a mucous plug;
- days of expected menstruation.
Normal for these factors in the early stages of pregnancy are whitish, transparent, beige, yellowish and pinkish discharge (the last three are typical for the implantation period and the days when menstruation took place before conception).
Among other causes of bloody or noted:
- erosion of the cervix;
- abruption or placenta previa;
- ectopic pregnancy;
- genital infections.
A clear indication of the inflammatory process is the discharge of yellow, gray or green colors, which have an unpleasant odor. Since by the second half of pregnancy a woman manages to pass all the tests, including for the presence of infections, a similar condition is usually observed at the beginning of pregnancy. It is especially dangerous due to the fact that the uterine mucosa is exposed to negative effects, and this increases the risk of miscarriage.
Yellow, gray and green secretion during gestation
Clear evidence of the inflammatory process is becoming, as well as yellow or gray colors that have an unpleasant odor. Since by the second half of pregnancy a woman manages to pass all the tests, including for the presence of infections, a similar condition is usually observed at the beginning of pregnancy. It is especially dangerous due to the fact that the uterine mucosa is exposed to negative effects, and this increases the risk of miscarriage.
Abundant, or any other unusual shade, require careful attention. These symptoms should be reported to your gynecologist immediately.
Discharge after childbirth
After the birth of a child, women develop so-called lochia. They testify to the healing process of the uterus, as well as getting rid of dead tissue. A similar process usually takes up to a month and a half and is characterized by different profusion depending on the number of days after childbirth:
- the first three days - the most abundant discharge of a bloody nature;
- up to the tenth day - less abundant pinkish, brown or beige;
- until the twentieth day - spotting whitish or yellowish;
- up to 1.5 months - very meager, barely noticeable.
If, after the birth of a child, abundant discharge appears in every woman, then during gestation this is a purely individual phenomenon, which depends on many factors. It is possible to determine whether this condition is normal or not only with the help of a specialist and appropriate tests. It is better to play it safe a few times than to undergo aggressive treatment later. Therefore, monitor your condition and report unusual symptoms to the gynecologist in time.
Transparent, milky whites during the period of gestation are natural, they support the microflora of the vagina, protect the mucous membranes from drying out. Abundant vaginal discharge during pregnancy may be the result of an increase in secretory function. In some cases, they appear due to allergies to irritants, but sometimes they represent a symptom of dangerous complications.
What should be the discharge during pregnancy
The appearance of copious whites when carrying a child without itching and unpleasant odor can be called normal during the first trimester. At this time, hormonal changes occur, the concentration of the hormone progesterone increases, as a result, you can notice the secret in a large volume.
Natural secretions are colorless, mucus-like, and odorless. A whitish tint is also considered natural, if the woman does not experience a deterioration in well-being or discomfort. In the third trimester, a not too liquid secret is considered the norm, the volume should be moderate.
Causes of heavy discharge
One of the reasons why copious discharge may appear at various stages of pregnancy is a change in hormonal levels. In the first trimester, mucus during pregnancy can be separated in the form of odorless snot, itching, with a whitish tinge. This condition is physiological and should not cause concern.
Sometimes the appearance of abundant whites indicates the development of an allergic reaction. During pregnancy, the female body is vulnerable, negative reactions to soap, washing powder, linen may appear, even if there was no allergy to these substances before.
In some cases, pathogenic organisms become the cause of the discharge - in this case, the daub is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, itching. Harmful microorganisms lead to the development of inflammatory processes, which negatively affects pregnancy.
Heavy bleeding in the first trimester
In the first weeks, you can notice a secret in the form of mucus. In the first four weeks, the appearance of a small amount of blood discharge is normal - a secret indicates that the fetal egg is fixed - a phenomenon called implantation bleeding.
The consistency and volume of whites can change due to the action of the hormone progesterone. The appearance of extraneous shades should alert a woman, perhaps they are symptoms of diseases. The secret of a brownish tint during this period indicates an abortion.
Abundant secret in the second trimester
In the second trimester, the uterus is actively developing and preparing for an increase in size. During this period, milk ducts are formed, glandular tissue is built. A mucous plug forms in the cervix. Its main function is to protect the unborn child from adverse factors.
All these processes provoke the emergence of a secret from the vagina. Normal discharge is not accompanied by pathological color, itching, odor and other unpleasant symptoms. Liquid discharge at this time is normal - this is due to an increase in estrogen levels, which can cause the secretion to thin.
Heavy discharge in the third trimester
Physiological whites at this time are transparent, have a beige or whitish tint. Allocations consist of dead epithelium, natural bacterial microflora. Any pregnancy should not pass without secretions, as they cleanse the vaginal cavity, provide natural lubrication of the mucosa.
With the approach of the date of birth, the secretion changes - the leucorrhea may become more liquid. This occurs as a result of exposure to the hormone estrogen. To make sure that nothing threatens the child and the health of the woman, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist.
As evidenced by abundant discharge of a different nature
Heavy vaginal discharge during pregnancy is not always normal. Sometimes they signal the development of a pathology that requires treatment. Of particular danger is such a secret in the later stages of gestation - there is a risk of premature birth, deterioration of the fetus, etc.
Clear discharge during pregnancy
In some cases, a transparent secret may indicate the development of certain diseases and complications. Abundant transparent leucorrhoea can be a sign of an allergic reaction. The female body during pregnancy is sensitive to various changes. Therefore, there may be a reaction to soap for intimate hygiene, synthetic fabrics.
In this case, the symptoms are aggravated by exposure to the allergen. To get rid of secretions, you need to replace pads, soap with hypoallergenic ones, choose underwear made from natural materials.
The most dangerous pathology, the symptom of which is abundant transparent leucorrhoea, is the loss of amniotic fluid. You should check whether the amniotic fluid is really leaking using a pharmacy test, but in this case it is better to visit a gynecologist.
Some infections are accompanied by the release of vaginal fluid. An example of such a disease is genital herpes. It manifests itself in the form of itching, the appearance of bubbles on the mucous membrane. The disease is dangerous for the fetus, so it should be treated as early as possible.
Beige and white secretion during pregnancy
Abundant white discharge during pregnancy may be normal, but sometimes they indicate the development of a pathological process in the body. If there is inflammation or infection, leucorrhoea is accompanied by discomfort in the perineum.
One of the most common diseases is candidiasis. Its main symptom is whitish heterogeneous discharge, similar in appearance to cottage cheese.
May occur as a result of the following reasons:
- Rapid change in hormone levels.
- Changes in microflora, acidity in the vaginal area.
- Frequent use of antibiotics.
- Decreased function of the immune system, etc.
Thrush is dangerous because during childbirth it can lead to complications, and therefore requires prompt treatment.
Bloody and brown discharge during pregnancy
The only variant of the norm, when whites with blood do not pose any threat to a woman, is implantation bleeding. It signals that a fertilized egg has entered the uterine cavity.
In the future, during pregnancy, there should be no bloody discharge. Such a secret can occur if there are abnormalities during pregnancy, or diseases of the reproductive system, which are accompanied by bleeding.
In the first trimester, bleeding can often be a symptom of spontaneous miscarriage. This symptom may appear if the abortion has just begun or is completely over. The appearance of blood may indicate a Rh-conflict, a fading pregnancy. At 4-6 months of gestation, bleeding can become a symptom of a late miscarriage. In some cases, it indicates the death of the fetus inside the womb.
A dangerous condition during pregnancy is placenta previa. It is a complete or partial overlap of the cervix of the uterus. Less often, blood may appear due to premature exfoliation of the child's place. The condition poses a threat to the life of the child. It can cause internal bleeding.
Not always the appearance of blood is associated with pregnancy. Diseases such as fibroids, polyps, cervical erosion, cardiac and vascular pathologies can provoke its release.
Yellow gray and green secretion during gestation
Allocations of unnatural shades with foreign inclusions are signs of pathological processes at any stage of gestation. Often they signal the development of an infection. They can have a moderate volume or be plentiful, accompanied by various unpleasant sensations.
Causes of pathological mucus:
- Pathogenic microflora of the vagina.
- Escherichia coli.
- STDs such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, chlamydia.
- Ureaplasmosis.
- Colpitis.
- Fungal infections.
- Bacterial vaginosis.
Self-medication is not recommended, as this can lead to a deterioration in health. You should contact the antenatal clinic, in case of development of diseases transmitted through sexual contact, you may need to consult a venereologist.
What to do with heavy vaginal discharge
Abundant mucous vaginal discharge during pregnancy may be a variant of the norm, however, in some situations they are signs of the development of a pathological process. To exclude diseases and complications, you should consult a gynecologist.
It may be necessary to pass additional blood tests, a smear for microflora, and undergo an ultrasound scan. If the presence of the disease is confirmed, the doctor prescribes therapy on an outpatient basis or in a hospital, depending on the condition of the woman.
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 genitalia. 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
When an egg is fertilized, there are significant, primarily hormonal changes. The situation is due to the fact that the body is trying with all its might to preserve intrauterine development, therefore, discharge during pregnancy is not often abundant, but is also considered a variant of the norm. The main aspect that you should pay attention to is the color and smell of vaginal secretions.
Why is there heavy discharge during pregnancy?
At different periods of gestation, the structure of vaginal secretions may change, depending on which hormone dominates. Normally, abundant discharge during pregnancy should be transparent, less often whitish, and not cause discomfort to a woman.In the early stages, the following factors influence the change in mucus:
- in the first days of pregnancy before menstruation (expected);
- increased production of progesterone;
- increased blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
- the formation of a mucous plug on the cervix.
Profuse discharge in the first trimester
Dense and abundant discharge during pregnancy in the first trimester is explained by the protection of the embryo, since it is during this period that the baby is most vulnerable. Thick and viscous secretions prevent infection, at the same time remove pathogenic bacteria from the body. In addition, the mucous plug provides additional protection by closing the pharynx and uterine cavity.Normally, the secret that appears due to progesterone is colorless. Due to the formation of cork, it may acquire whitish or creamy shades. If the secretions are too liquid in the first weeks of pregnancy, then this may indicate the development of an inflammatory process.
But the main cause for concern is always a change in color, itching, burning, or a noticeable unpleasant odor from the vagina. The situation is typical for infections, but can also talk about the threat of miscarriage, so you need to consult a doctor.
The nature of the discharge in the second and third trimester
In the second trimester, the modification of the vaginal secretion is caused by the influence of estrogen. The leucorrhoea becomes more liquid, becomes watery and not infrequently copious. Secretions remain transparent throughout pregnancy, without a specific smell and do not cause discomfort to a woman.Strong liquid discharge in the later stages of gestation is caused by leakage of amniotic fluid, which is dangerous for the further formation of the baby. Often secretions, with such a pathology, remain transparent, possibly slightly yellowish. The smell becomes somewhat sweet, and white flakes, the baby's original lubricant, can be seen in the secretions.
The active growth of the child and its pressure on the internal organs, especially the genitourinary system, provoke urinary incontinence. In the last weeks, spontaneous small urination becomes noticeably stronger, so the appearance of slightly yellowish whites will not be considered a pathology.
Pathological manifestations in the later stages
The appearance of abundant secretions in the last months of bearing a child can be triggered by various diseases. At the same time, the formation of additional symptoms indicates a pathological process:- Milky discharge, in consistency, reminiscent of cottage cheese, with a characteristic sour smell, indicates the reproduction of the Candida fungus and the occurrence of candidiasis (thrush). At the stage of gestation, the disease is not dangerous, but it threatens with complications during labor.
- Bloody or brown secretions create a risk of miscarriage and threaten premature birth, accompanied by pulling cramping pain in the lower abdomen.
- Multi-colored mucus (yellow, green or gray) indicates a progressive inflammatory process. Reproducing infections create an unpleasant odor, itching, and possibly a burning sensation when urinating. A similar condition can be triggered by sexually transmitted diseases, which increases the risk of infection of the fetus.
It is important, during the period of the appearance of strong secretions from the vagina, to monitor daily hygiene, give up soap with fragrances and fragrances, wear underwear only from natural fabrics, which will reduce some discomfort during heavy leucorrhoea during pregnancy.
