| Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is common and | | | | You may have an infection which is usually an |
| it is not your imagination. This discharge is | | | | odorless, whitish discharge that's causing you |
| referred to as leucorrhea, a mild smelling milky | | | | discomfort such as itching or burning. A vaginal |
| discharge. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is | | | | discharge during pregnancy untreated can result in |
| due to the fact that you are now having | | | | a yeast infection. It is always good for you to |
| increased estrogen production. You are having a | | | | check your discharge because it might be |
| greater blood flow to the vaginal area as well. The | | | | foul-smelling, frothy, yellow, green, or gray which |
| secretions from the cervix and vagina, old cells | | | | means that you have a different kind of infection |
| from the walls of the vagina, and normal bacterial | | | | or a sexually transmitted infection, even if you |
| flora from the vagina are causing the excess | | | | don't have symptoms of irritation, itching or |
| discharge. | | | | burning. We like to advise that you should not try |
| The so called mucus plug creates a protective | | | | to treat yourself with over the counter |
| barrier. When you are getting closer to labor you | | | | medications. It is very important to first see your |
| will notice even more vaginal discharge during your | | | | practitioner for a proper diagnosis to make sure |
| pregnancy. This discharge will look a bit different | | | | you get appropriate treatment. |
| than when you were in your earlier months of | | | | I know at this point you are wondering if there |
| pregnancy. This is fine, it is just a part of being | | | | are any things that you might be able to do to |
| pregnant and the body taking care of itself. When | | | | help with the problem. Let me tell you now, yes |
| your cervix begins to thin out and dilate it will | | | | there is, vaginal discharge during pregnancy is not |
| expel this mucus. Then you will notice that the | | | | uncommon but it is very irritating and some |
| discharge looks like egg white and you will | | | | simple methods are available that will help. Firstly, |
| probably expel the plug in one gelatinous glob. This | | | | very important - do not ever use a tampon |
| discharge might be tinged with a bit of blood. Do | | | | during your pregnancy! Use panty liners to absorb |
| not let this bother you as this is only normal | | | | the discharge and change often to prevent any |
| before the baby is born. | | | | infection. Next keep your genital area healthy by |
| One word of caution when you are getting a lot | | | | keeping it clean. Always wipe from front to back |
| of vaginal discharge during pregnancy it can be | | | | when you are cleaning your self. Next wear |
| hard for you to tell if it is mucus or you're leaking | | | | cotton underwear; avoid tight pants, nylons, |
| amniotic fluid. If you do have any doubts please | | | | bubble bath, scented pads or toilet paper. It is |
| contact your physician as this is a severe problem | | | | necessary that you also avoid feminine hygiene |
| for the baby. If you are not yet in your 37th | | | | sprays and scented or deodorant soaps for the |
| week and you notice an increase in discharge or a | | | | protection of the fetus. One other main concern |
| change in the type of discharge like if it becomes | | | | that physicians and midwives have is that you do |
| watery, or bloody then call the physician | | | | not douche. I know that vaginal discharge during |
| immediately. This can be a sign of preterm labor. | | | | your pregnancy is sometimes uncomfortable and |
| Preterm labor can be prevented if caught soon | | | | you may feel unclean but you need to understand |
| enough so you can carry your baby full term. | | | | this is just part of being pregnant. The process of |
| Vaginal discharge during pregnancy, lower | | | | douching can upset the normal balance of vaginal |
| abdominal pain, with cramping farther along in your | | | | flora and increase your risk of a vaginal infection. |
| pregnancy is all signs of preterm labor. | | | | Douching has been noted in some rare cases to |
| This could just be a sign that your uterus is | | | | introduce air into your circulatory system through |
| stretching or it could mean that you are indeed | | | | the vagina, which can cause serious complications. |
| going into preterm labor. It is very wise for you | | | | Keeping your self clean and wearing panty liners is |
| to contact your physician immediately so he can | | | | the safest way to go when you are pregnant. |
| help you prevent this process. | | | | |