Pregnancy discharge: The low down on what’s going on down low

First off, it’s normal to have vaginal discharge. It keeps vaginal tissues healthy, lubricated and clean. It’s also normal for discharge to change periodically in response to hormones, your menstrual cycle, after sexual activity or use of some vaginal products like douches or lubricants.

During the days before and after your period, you might notice it’s a different colour than it is the rest of the month. During mid-cycle, it might have a different consistency. Once you’re pregnant, it might change once again – thicker or thinner, a different colour or smell.

Some women never notice any difference at all and that’s entirely normal too.

There’s a surprising amount of variation between what’s normal for one woman and what’s normal for another. The important thing is recognising what’s normal and abnormal for you.

Is discharge an indicator of pregnancy?

Here’s the thing – discharge by itself isn’t a clear pregnancy indicator, especially when it’s so early that you haven’t even missed a period yet.  Instead, a change in discharge quantity, consistency or odour might indicate that recent sexual activity has altered the Ph. level of your vagina or introduced new bacteria.

The increased vaginal discharge might be your body’s attempt at balancing things out and cleaning things up.  If it doesn’t itch, burn, or smell, there’s probably nothing wrong. If it continues though, if it’s making you uncomfortable, you suspect your partner may have an infection or you’re worried, you might want to check in with a healthcare provider and make sure you don’t have an infection.

If you don’t get your period when expected, take a pregnancy test. That’s a way more accurate way of finding out if you’re pregnant than keeping track of your discharge.

What’s normal and what’s not?

Normal discharge doesn’t itch – this is a sign of a fungal or bacterial infection. It’s classic symptom of a yeast infection. If you’ve never had a yeast infection before, go see your midwife or doctor for a quick test. This is easy to treat with anti-fungal medication.

If it’s not yeast, but a bacterial infection, you might need a course of antibiotics to clear things up. If it’s another type of vaginal infection, especially if it’s a sexually transmitted disease, you’re going to need your midwife or doctor’s help to make things right down there again.  Bottom line:  If your discharge itches, burns, stings, blisters, smells or makes you uncomfortable (during pregnancy or not) – that’s not normal. 

DISCLAIMER: Any information provided in this article is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to be medical advice, nor does it replace care given by your health care provider. Please consult your health care provider when seeking medical advice.

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Jeanne Faulkner

Jeanne Faulkner is a writer, journalist and registered nurse with over 25 years experience in obstetrics and maternal-newborn health. She’s Every Mother Counts’ Senior writer and editor (a global maternal health advocacy organization).She co-authored The Complete Illustrated Birthing Companion and writes the Ask the Labor Nurse blog for Fit Pregnancy.com, which won MIN-Online’s award for Best Blog of 2012. She also contributes to Huffington Post on global health and poverty issues and writes for several publications on health, women’s issues, politics, parenting and more. She is CARE’s (global humanitarian organization) advocacy chairperson for Oregon. Jeanne lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon.

Latest posts by Jeanne Faulkner (see all)

• Pregnancy discharge: The low down on what’s going on down low - August 18, 2014
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