Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy: Changes, Colors & Meaning

Key takeaways:

• The natural secretions from vaginal glands change according to the hormones in the body’s circulation.
• Pregnancy has a constant elevation of both estrogen and progesterone hormones, causing an increase in discharge.
• The natural effects of constant hormones–and pregnancy in general–can be further altered by conditions and infections that alter your vaginal discharge even more and are worth paying attention to.

The vagina has Skene’s and Bartholin glands that produce natural secretions, which are usually visible as your normal vaginal discharge. Watery discharge from them, as well as mucus from glands of the cervix, contribute to your discharge. Estrogen and progesterone rise in phases during your monthly menstrual cycle. When pregnancy doesn’t occur, these hormones decline, and the lining of your uterus loses its hormonal support, falling away as normal byproducts of your period.

With pregnancy, however, estrogen and progesterone rise but don’t come back down. That changes the normal vaginal discharge. Even though this expected increase in discharge is normal, abnormal conditions may still exist, and one of the symptoms may be increased vaginal discharge. Read on to gain an understanding of what normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy looks like and ways to spot potentially abnormal signals.

Is it normal to have vaginal discharge or increased vaginal discharge during a pregnancy?

Experiencing vaginal discharge – even more discharge than you’re used to – during pregnancy is indeed normal. Both estrogen and progesterone cause an increase in the volume and consistency of vaginal discharge from the vaginal and cervical glands during pregnancy.

Estrogen increases the secretion of vaginal and cervical glands. During pregnancy, estrogen levels increase up to 500 times what they are during the menstrual cycle. Plus, in total, progesterone levels increase up to 30 times during pregnancy.

How vaginal discharge changes during pregnancy

The normal vaginal discharge of pregnancy is colorless or white, without unpleasant symptoms, and vaginal discharge odor–if it has one–is not particularly foul. As your pregnancy advances, the increase in estrogen and progesterone may increase or thicken your discharge.

Abnormal vs. normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy

Your normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy should not vary from colorless or white. You shouldn’t experience any burning, itching, or a bad odor, and the discharge should not have any indication of blood (even a pink tinge). There may be signs of mucus, however, including losing a mucus plug in late pregnancy.

An abnormal vaginal discharge during pregnancy is any discharge that goes against those norms.

Causes of vaginal discharge during pregnancy

A change in the volume and consistency of your discharge can occur innocently during your pregnancy. The most common infection in pregnancy is a yeast infection, which is followed in frequency by bacterial vaginosis (BV), trichomoniasis, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Yeast infection

This type of infection is caused by a build-up of yeast in the vagina. Common signs of a yeast infection are itching, burning, and cream cheese-like discharge.

Bacterial vaginosis

This is an imbalance in the bacterial populations in your vagina, with a loss of the helpful lactobacilli. It causes discharge that may be watery and gray or yellow. It can also cause itching and pain with urination.

Other bacterial vaginitis

Aerobic vaginitis is an infection typically caused by bacteria from the rectum. The anus is close to the vagina, and that proximity allows some bacteria to enter. This may happen with sex, too, due to the mechanical actions of intercourse that cause increased contact. Its discharge is yellow and sticky, and it may have a fishy odor.

Trichomoniasis

While not life-threatening, this infection can be quite uncomfortable. Its discharge is green, frothy, or bubbly, and it is accompanied by a fish-like odor.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections may occur during pregnancy and lead to abnormal discharge. Common examples of STIs include:

• Trichomoniasis: Also known as trich, this is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause a green, frothy, or bubbly discharge accompanied by a fish-like odor.
• Gonorrhea: Its discharge can be green or dark. Pus may be present. There can be a foul odor, burning, or itching.
• Chlamydia: Its discharge can be yellow, green, or dark, contain pus, and have a foul odor, along with burning or itching. It is common for it to have no abnormal discharge or symptoms at all, which underscores the importance of proper prenatal care.

Common vaginal discharge colors and consistencies during pregnancy

The color, consistency, and other characteristics of vaginal discharge give clues about underlying conditions.

• Clear vaginal discharge: Normal discharge in pregnancy. If it is continuous or is a gush, this could indicate leaking of amniotic fluid or rupture of fetal membranes, which is a pregnancy emergency.
• Clear, stretchy vaginal discharge: Normal discharge of pregnancy with increased mucus from progesterone’s hormonal effects on cervical glandular secretions.
• White vaginal discharge: Without unpleasant symptoms, it can be normal. With unpleasant itching and cream cheese-like discharge, it indicates a likely yeast infection. With pus, however, it indicates a serious bacterial infection.
• Yellow or green vaginal discharge: Indicates likely trichomonas infection, especially if it is frothy or has a fish-like odor.
• Gray vaginal discharge: Can be frothy. Indicates bacterial vaginosis if burning during urination and fish-like odor are present.
• Brown or bloody vaginal discharge: Indicates old blood or fresh bleeding, which is not normal in pregnancy. It signals possible miscarriage in early pregnancy and fetal danger, placental problems, or preterm labor in later pregnancy.

Read our guide on vaginal discharge colors for more.

How to maintain healthy vaginal discharge during pregnancy

The ways to maintain vaginal health during pregnancy are no different than the ways to maintain vaginal health outside of pregnancy.

Avoid feminine hygiene products, soaps with fragrance, or douching

These products contain chemicals that can be irritating to your delicate vaginal tissues, which can be worse during pregnancy. Douching washes away your vagina’s helpful lactobacilli bacteria. That can lead to BV and a wet environment in which yeast can flourish.

Also, using tampons to absorb an increased vaginal discharge due to pregnancy is a bad idea since swollen, delicate tissues are easily traumatized. Powders, because of their particulate, granular nature, can cause irritation via friction.

Practice safe sex

During pregnancy, you have no special protection against STIs. Also, BV can be acquired sexually, as can yeast. If you have sex with a new partner, you should still use a barrier (i.e., condom), but make sure there’s no spermicide included.

When you should see a doctor about vaginal discharge during pregnancy

You should see a doctor if your vaginal discharge during pregnancy becomes abnormal, but some situations are more urgent.

You should see a doctor if:

You notice one or more of the following:

• Any symptoms associated with your discharge, such as burning, itching, or discoloration.
• Discharge with a strong, fishy, or foul odor.
• Any indication of bleeding, like discharge that is pink, red, brown, or black.
• Any pain with urination or pain in the back, abdomen, or pelvis
• Pain with bowel movements.

You should go to the emergency room if:

Seek immediate medical attention if your discharge is associated with:

• Fever.
• Continuous leakage (possible amniotic fluid from rupture of membranes).
• A gush of fluid (possible rupture of membranes).
• Contractions.
• Loss of a mucus plug with contractions (this may indicate dilation of your cervix).
• Bleeding.
• Nausea.
• Dizziness.

Questions to ask your doctor about vaginal discharge during pregnancy

• Is my vaginal discharge normal?
• What tests do I need to determine the cause of my discharge?
• How might this affect the pregnancy and my baby?
• Should my partner be involved in the diagnostic tests and treatment?

How a doctor may help treat abnormal vaginal discharge during pregnancy

A variety of treatments may help resolve your abnormal vaginal discharge, depending on its underlying cause.

Bed rest

This is the best option for any bleeding problems, such as preterm labor or placental problems. This means sexual abstinence as well. Your doctor will determine how long you need to be on bed rest.

Antifungal medication

This includes pills, creams, or suppositories for yeast infections, many of which are safe in pregnancy. Some are not, which is why a prescription is required.

Antibiotics

These are used to treat bacterial infections. Like antifungals, some antibiotics are safe in pregnancy, but others may pose a risk to your baby.

Frequently asked questions: vaginal discharge during pregnancy

Common questions about vaginal discharge during pregnancy include the ones below.

What does vaginal discharge typically look like in the first trimester?

The thin, clear, or milky white discharge of the first trimester may be the same as what you're used to. It might be increased, or there might be more mucus.

Is white vaginal discharge during the third trimester normal?

Yes. Estrogen continues to rise, which can thicken your discharge or change its consistency from watery to milky white. It should not itch or be so thick that it mimics cream cheese. However, increased mucus due to progesterone can make it appear more dense or gel-like or present as a mucus plug.

Final thoughts on vaginal discharge during pregnancy

The same criteria for determining whether or not a vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy applies to non-pregnancy situations. The only exception is whether or not there is any evidence of bleeding or if the volume is unusual.

Any discharge with blood is not normal and requires immediate medical attention. If fluid continues to flow or there is a sudden volume of fluid lost, the intactness of your pregnancy (membranes/amniotic sac) must be evaluated by your provider.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

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