• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Discharge During Early Stages of Pregnancy

May 26, 2010 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

When you first discovered you were pregnant, you probably thought more about baby names and nursery décor than you did about vaginal discharge. Unfortunately, vaginal discharge is one of those little secrets no one seems to talk about when they’re swapping stories about morning sickness and marathon labors. But for the newly pregnant woman, vaginal discharge is often a source of anxiety.

Normal Discharge

Even when you’re not pregnant, you probably experience some amount of discharge at various stages during your menstrual cycle. But as estrogen levels increase during pregnancy, the discharge becomes heavier and thicker. Rest assured this normal pregnancy discharge, called leukorrhea, is just one more symptom you’ll have to put up with for the next nine months. Dr. Waverly F. Peakes, an obstetrician gynecologist with Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, explains that leukorrhea is a product of increased cervical gland secretions. Leukorrhea is normally clear or white and has little odor. Also, the amount of discharge varies from woman to woman.

Abnormal Discharge

Leukorrhea that changes color or consistency, or develops a bad odor, can be a cause for concern. Blood-tinged discharge very early in the pregnancy might be a sign of normal implantation bleeding. However, you should call your health care provider to evaluate the cause of the bloody discharge, especially if you experience any abdominal cramping. Jeanne Faulker, R.N., a contributor to the Fit Pregnancy website, says light spotting can also occur after sexual intercourse, due to the increased sensitivity of the cervix. If vaginal itching or irritation, or a burning sensation during urination, accompanies vaginal discharge, they could be symptoms of an underlying infection. Rarely is vaginal discharge during pregnancy related to sexually transmitted diseases, such as trichomoniasis, chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Call your health care provider at any point the leukorrhea looks or smells abnormal, or if you experience vaginal irritation or cramping. If nothing else, she can perform a pelvic and cervical exam, as well as check the baby’s heartbeat, to assure you the pregnancy is progressing normally. If she suspects an infection, such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, she will swab and culture the discharge. Over-the-counter (OTC) creams and prescription antibiotics can alleviate the symptoms. If you are concerned about the amount of discharge, wear a panty liner. Do not use tampons to control the flow of discharge. Also, do not douche or use feminine sprays or wipes as doing so can upset the natural balance of vaginal bacteria.

Photo Credit

  • pregnant women belly image by Slobodan Vasic from Fotolia.com

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Pregnancy

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Killing Off Supermom

I'll be honest with you. In my house, the beds are rarely … [Read More...] about Killing Off Supermom

Must Have

winter

Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

"It's beginning to look  a lot like Christmas..." The … [Read More...] about Pre-Holiday Must-Haves

Did you know?

What Happens When You Mix Lemon Juice With Baking Soda?

What Happens When You Mix Lemon Juice With Baking Soda?

Causes of Lethargy in Toddlers

average breast size of a woman

The Average Breast Size of a Woman

How Early to Take a Pregnancy Test

How Early to Take a Pregnancy Test

Signs That Your Toddler Has Been Touched Inappropriately

strep throat symptoms in babies

Strep Throat Symptoms in Babies

Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

How to Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.