It is certainly one of the signs, especially if it comes out in amounts greater than before.
However, the only way to be truly sure is through a pregnancy test.
What Is the Difference Between Vaginal Secretions While You’re Not Pregnant and While You’re Pregnant?
Pregnancy can be a scary time. Your body will undergo changes you have not experienced before. One of these changes is secretions from your vagina. Although you have them even when you’re not pregnant, when you are pregnant the amount of discharge increases. Just like when you are not pregnant, the fluid serves to seal and protect your womb and vagina from invading bacteria. The amount increases during pregnancy because there is the baby to protect as well.
Although it can be uncomfortable to feel the constant wetness it can be a useful tool to check for any warning signs of abnormality in your pregnancy.
What if I have clear or pale milky white and odorless and thick discharge during pregnancy?
Indicates that there is no problem. It’s the same as the one you get while you are not pregnant and before your period.
What if I have a watery discharge during pregnancy?
It could be urine. The bigger the baby becomes the more pressure is exerted on the bladder, causing you to pee more often. Sometimes you can pee accidentally when you cough or laugh. This is nothing to worry about.
However, if accompanied by some itching, it could be the start of a yeast or fungal infection. The actual sign of a yeast infection is a white clumpy discharge. It has been likened to soft cheese. It has been the experience of some to notice that their discharges turn watery before it turns bright white and clumpy.
The extremely worse case scenario is it could be amniotic fluid leaking out and the baby is in danger of miscarriage. More so especially if the watery discharge contains dark red or brown spots. Always check with your doctor before it is too late.
- What if my discharge has a fishy smell?
This is a symptom of bacterial vaginosis. Especially if accompanied by itching.
- What if my discharge is white and thick like cottage cheese?
As mentioned above this is a sign of a yeast infection. Especially if accompanied by itching.
- What if I have a yellow or green or gray discharge?
You have likely contracted trash especially if the yellow or green discharge is thick and foul-smelling.
- What if my discharge is a snot like yellow that sometimes turns dark brown?
This is your body discharging the mucus plug that was in the cervix. The mucus plug serves as a shield to the entrance of the womb. If you are around the 35th week of your pregnancy this is the sign that you will soon go into labor. The plug has been pushed by the growing baby about to come out. If this happens during early pregnancy best see the doctor as soon as possible.
- What if my discharge has dark red or brown spots during early pregnancy?
Those spots are blood. Some spotting in your discharge is normal and a sign of pregnancy during the first couple of weeks. However, if it occurs even after the first few weeks during the first trimester it could be a warning of a miscarriage. See your doctor immediately.
In Short If
1. You experience an odd looking or unusually colored discharge or the amount of the discharge is more than normal.
2. It has an unusual or foul-smelling order and.
3. If it is accompanied by itching or any burning sensation, it would be best to tell your doctor about it as soon as possible.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Prevent These Diseases?
The best practice is, of course, to always practice good hygiene. Wash your private parts and change underwear regularly.
Some of these infections are transmitted sexually, so it would always be wise to be careful about your partner and to always use protection. Contrary to accepted practice, it is actually not a good idea to use douches. Douches kill good bacteria as well as bad bacteria, causing an imbalance to the protective system that your body is working hard to maintain.
Bacteria thrive in warm and wet environments so it is not advisable to wear close-fitting pants or shorts. Wearing cotton panties is recommended as it is absorbent and good for air circulation.
Trust your doctor to prescribe the right antibiotics. Self-medicating may make the situation worse.
Even though a healthy amount of caution is good to prevent any problems to your body or to your baby, too much worrying and stress may make the symptoms worse and do more harm. Most of these problems are easily treatable with antibiotics if noticed at once and reported to your doctor.
There are also a lot of online forums for expecting mothers. The members are willing to share their experiences and even images of their discharges. Although it is no substitute for consulting with a doctor it can certainly relieve some of your anxiety to share your concerns with those who are going through the same thing.