Leukorrhea gravidarum, or white discharge that is possible during the period of pregnancy, refers to a secretion in the body that becomes more abundant.
In general, it is quite normal for women to notice white discharge from time to time, which are secretions of cells coming from the mucous membranes and lining the uterine cervix.
Depending on the period of the menstrual cycle in which we find ourselves, the losses take on a more or less significant importance: they often indicate ovulation, or they could indicate an infection. Even during pregnancy they have their own importance: losses during pregnancy are physiological.
White discharge is one of the most common and earliest signs of pregnancy, but if you notice a particularly excessive flow, you should see your doctor.
Spotting is a more or less normal phenomenon that all women, pregnant or not, experience; common leaks are usually thin, clear, or milky-white, and shouldn’t have an unpleasant odor.
While not exactly normal, slight bleeding or spotting during pregnancy (particularly during the first three months) is quite common. It usually turns out to be caused by something minor. Changes during pregnancy: white
discharge Contents
- Changes during pregnancy: white discharge
- When should one be alarmed
- Suspicious white discharge: treatments
- Other recommendations
White vaginal discharge during pregnancy is one of the most common problems and is also one of the first signs that heralds a pregnancy. The secretion increases early in the pregnancy and continues throughout the process.
Normal vaginal discharge may be clear or milky, and may have a slight odor. As the pregnancy progresses, the losses become evident and more and more abundant at the end of the pregnancy.
But sometimes the leaks have a completely different color and texture, which could be a cause for concern.
During pregnancy, hormones play an important role in changes in vaginal discharge. It is the changes in the cervix during pregnancy that affect the discharge.
The reason is quickly explained: when the cervix and vaginal wall soften, the body produces more losses to prevent any type of infection. When you should be alarmed
White discoloration is normal throughout pregnancy, but if you notice any changes then consult your doctor.
Some moms experience light spotting during pregnancy, which is still normal. It is very important to monitor your bleeding during this period, and to keep your GP and gynecologist updated if you notice any bleeding at any time during pregnancy. If your discharge changes from a white or light color to a darker one and presents with other symptoms (such as itching or burning) or has an unpleasant smell, you must report everything to the doctors who will be able to advise you what to do if it is an infection.
Here are in which cases you need to worry and call your doctor and gynecologist:
- When the losses turn yellowish, green or gray;
- It has a strong odor;
- The vaginal area turns red and itchy.
These are abnormal leaks, which could be a sign of an infection such as yeast. So, consult your gynecologist immediately, remembering to:
- Wear loose and comfortable clothes;
- Use only cotton and white linen;
- Dry the genital area after bathing, swimming or showering
- Add yogurt to your diet to make sure you have healthy bacteria in your body.
Suspicious white discharge: treatments
If you have discomfort or think you have an infection, do not try to treat yourself with over-the-counter drugs or intimate hygiene products: using them can aggravate an already sensitive area.
Generally, these are yeast infections such as candidiasis, which can be safely treated with various antifungal creams.
Infections of this type are particularly common during pregnancy because hormonal changes can alter the vaginal pH balance. Common symptoms of this type of infection include vaginal itching and a thick, white discharge.
Generally, the drugs used to treat these infections are clotrimazole, miconazole and terconazole, but in any case, your gynecologist must advise the best thing to do, also based on your physical characteristics and all your clinical background. Other recommendations
If your discharge is very watery, you should call your doctor, as it may be amniotic fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds and protects a fetus in the womb.
Amniotic fluid is the same fluid that is lost when the waters break, so depending on when this happens, it could be expected (if you’re about to give birth) or it could happen too soon (if you’re not).
If the waters break before the 37th week of pregnancy, this can lead to complications such as infections and problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.
If the leaks are mixed with blood, you should also call your doctor. Some light loss or spotting during pregnancy can be completely normal, kind of like gaining weight, and is not a sign of something wrong.
But since more bleeding during pregnancy could indicate problems such as a cervical infection or miscarriage, among others, so it would be good to make sure everything is normal by exposing the facts to a gynecologist.
Also, keep in mind that it is possible to have vaginal and sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy, so any change in vaginal discharge could be a wake-up call. An infection such as candidiasis, for example, can cause white, very dense discharge.
Bacterial vaginosis can lead to thin, gray or white discharge. Sexually transmitted infections can cause different types of discharge, depending on the type, so the general rule is that any discharge that is different than usual (such as a yellow or green discharge), that smells strange, or that carries other symptoms such as itching and burning can signal a problem.
Your gynecologist will be able to refer you to treatment if necessary, to calm your worries, and in general to make sure that your vagina and pregnancy are as healthy as possible.
