Vaginal discharge during pregnancy

What is vaginal discharge?

Vaginal discharge is a body fluid that keeps your vagina clean and moist. It helps stop infections developing in your vagina.

Normal vaginal discharge changes over the course of your menstrual cycle and when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Vaginal discharge varies from person to person — some people have a lot of discharge while others may have light discharge. Vaginal discharge should be clear, white or cream-coloured and shouldn’t have a strong smell.

In your vagina, there are good bacteria called lactobacilli that help keep it healthy. If the balance of bacteria is disturbed and you have an overgrowth of yeasts or bad bacteria, you might get an abnormal vaginal discharge.

An abnormal vaginal discharge is most often caused by an infection. It can also be caused by some medicines and health conditions, or from using products that irritate your vulva or vagina.

Is it normal to have vaginal discharge in pregnancy?

You might notice more vaginal discharge than usual when you’re pregnant. This is called leucorrhoea. It usually looks clear or white and doesn’t have a strong smell.

Increased vaginal discharge in pregnancy is caused by higher levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in your body during pregnancy.

Does vaginal discharge change during pregnancy?

It’s normal to have a larger amount of vaginal discharge in pregnancy, but the discharge itself should look like your normal vaginal discharge.

Your discharge may be abnormal if it:

• looks green, yellow, brown or grey
• smells bad
• is bloodstained
• changes in texture — is thin and runny, looks like cottage cheese or is frothy
• is accompanied by itching or pain

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if you have any vaginal discharge that is unusual for you. It could be a sign of an infection.

Your doctor will ask about your discharge and any other symptoms you have. They may recommend a swab test to check for infection.

If an infection is diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe treatment. Some genital infections can cause pregnancy complications. So, it’s important to see your doctor if your vaginal discharge has changed.

Infections that you can have a higher chance of getting during pregnancy are:

• vaginal thrush
• bacterial vaginosis

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What's the difference between vaginal discharge and a 'show'?

A ‘show’ is a specific type of discharge from your vagina that you might see shortly before you give birth.

During pregnancy, a plug of mucus seals the opening of your cervix to prevent infections getting in. When your cervix starts to dilate in preparation for labour, the mucus plug will come out. This is called a ‘show’. It may be watery, sticky or jelly-like. It might contain blood or look pink or brown.

If you see blood that is bright red or not mixed with mucus coming from your vagina, you should contact your doctor or midwife immediately. It’s probably not a ‘show’.

What’s the difference between vaginal discharge and my waters breaking?

During pregnancy, your baby is inside a sac filled with amniotic fluid. When the sac breaks open, it lets out the amniotic fluid. This is what’s known as your waters breaking. It’s also called a ‘rupture of membranes’.

You will feel liquid trickling or gushing from your vagina and you won't be able to hold it in. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if it’s amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge.

Your waters breaking usually happens during labour, but it can happen earlier, and occasionally it might happen before you reach full term. Contact your doctor or midwife immediately if this happens to you.

Resources and support

Speak to your midwife or doctor about vaginal discharge during your pregnancy.