White Vaginal Discharge During Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of excitement and brings a lot of changes in your life. When you are pregnant, your body goes through a lot of changes. You may already be expecting and even looking forward to some of these changes. However, some bodily changes are unexpected and may cause trouble at times. All women experience some form of vaginal discharge once in a while, and pregnant women may also experience vaginal discharge. However, during pregnancy, vaginal discharge can be more, which may or may not be normal. The abnormal discharge could be due to an infection, or it could be related to labour.

Women often feel embarrassed discussing vaginal discharges, but pregnant women should understand that certain abnormal discharges require medical attention. There is one type of white discharge during pregnancy in the third trimester that troubles many pregnant women about the health and safety of their baby. Read on to learn more about white discharge during pregnancy.

Is White Discharge Common During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy?

White discharge from the vagina or a milky-white discharge in the third trimester is common, and you must not worry about it. As a number of changes take place in your body during pregnancy, it is very normal to experience white discharge during the third trimester of your pregnancy. But you must consult your doctor if the discharge has an unusual colour, texture, or a foul smell. Close to the date of your delivery, you may also notice blood-stained thick mucus-like discharge in the third trimester. This is an indication that you are likely to go into labour.

Normal Discharge During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

There are quite a few changes that will take place in your body to prepare you for labour and delivery. These changes are associated with the changes in your vaginal discharge. Your hormone levels will change as the blood supply to the cervix increases, causing a higher amount of discharge. You may have to wear panty liners and pads. Here are the signs of a normal discharge:

• It is whitish, clear, runny, or even slightly yellow
• It is odourless
• Slightly pinkish discharge as your delivery date gets closer

However, if you have the slightest hint of uneasiness or discomfort due to the discharge, you should reach out to your doctor.

Abnormal Discharge During the Third Trimester

Abnormal discharge is yellowish or greenish in colour and may or may not be accompanied by a foul smell. In a situation like this, you should immediately get in touch with your doctor. It could be because of various reasons, and it should be treated before it can affect the baby.

Here are the common reasons for an abnormal discharge during pregnancy:

• Bacterial Vaginosis is a condition caused by the imbalance of the bacteria present in the vagina or cervical canal. It is also a cause of the yellowish vaginal discharge. The symptoms of this are a stinging or burning sensation during urination. If not treated, this condition can cause preterm babies or small babies.

• Candidiasis is a yeast infection because of which the vaginal discharge may be yellowish or greenish. An increase in changes in the hormonal levels can give rise to an infection with the fungus candida. It may make you experience itching and irritation.

• Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It can cause vaginal discharge to be thick and yellowish. If you are suffering from this or any other STD, you must inform the doctor immediately and start the treatment, as it can cause preterm delivery or pass the infection to the unborn child.

• Leucorrhea is caused by an increase in the levels of estrogen during pregnancy. It can cause a thick, yellowish discharge. The discharge is a combination of normal bacterial flora found in the cervix, old vaginal cells, and other secretions of the vagina and cervix.
• Yeast infection can also cause excessive white discharge from the vagina along with vaginal itching, burning, and soreness.

How to Deal with White Discharge in the Third Trimester?

The following dos and don’ts will help you deal with vaginal discharge and prevent infection:

What to Do

Ensure that you do the following:

• Wash the vaginal area a couple of times a day with water and a medicated soap that is recommended by your doctor. Pat dry.
• When drying or wiping the vaginal area, the hand movement should be from front to back and never back to front. Wear clean, cotton underwear, and change it twice a day, at least.
• Wear comfortable cotton clothes at night that allow your skin to breathe.
• Using pads and panty liners will keep you dry and comfortable.
• Use protection while having sex to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
• Immediately call and inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms that are not normal.
• If your underwear is continually getting really wet before your due date, let your doctor know immediately.

What Not to Do

Avoid doing these things for a healthy pregnancy:

• Avoid using scented creams and bubble baths.
• Tampons can cause infections and introduce bacteria into the vagina. Hence, avoid using them.
• If you have a foul smell in the vaginal area, do not mask it by using scents, sprays, or powders.
• Avoid self-medication and consult a doctor for itching, redness, or swelling.
• Avoid using public toilets to prevent any infections.
• Avoid douching, as it may also cause the good bacteria in the vagina to be washed off.

When to Call a Doctor

If you experience watery discharge before the 37^th week or notice symptoms that aren’t entirely normal, you should see a doctor. Also, if you notice that your underwear is getting soaked unusually or you feel any discomfort, it is best to get it cleared. A watery discharge before 37 weeks should raise a red flag. You must immediately contact your doctor, as this may mean you could have ruptured the amniotic sac, and the amniotic fluid might be leaking.

FAQs

1. Which colour of discharge is not normal during pregnancy?

Yellow, green, and grey colour discharges are not normal during pregnancy. If you ever find these colours in your discharge, along with a weird smell and discomfort in your vaginal area, immediately consult your doctor. A blood-tinged or brownish mucus discharge in the third trimester could be a sign of labour.

2. Should I worry about the increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy?

No. An increase in the hormone production of estrogen results in increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy, which is the normal white discharge. If you notice anything unusual in the texture or smell of the discharge during this time, immediately report this to your healthcare provider.

Although white discharge in the third trimester is not a big concern during pregnancy, you must consult a doctor if you notice anything unusual. If you see a lot of white discharge during the nine months of pregnancy, inform your doctor and follow their advice.

References/Resources:

1. Vaginitis; ACOG; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vaginitis

2. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy; Pregnancy, Birth and Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/vaginal-discharge-during-pregnancy

3. Sobel. J. D; Patient education: Vaginal discharge in adult women (Beyond the Basics); UpToDate; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vaginal-discharge-in-adult-women-beyond-the-basics

4. Vaginal discharge in pregnancy; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/vaginal-discharge/

5. Labor and birth; OASH; https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-and-beyond/labor-and-birth

6. Vaginal discharge in pregnancy; HSE; https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/vaginal-discharge-pregnancy/

7. Signs of labor: Know what to expect; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/signs-of-labor/art-20046184

8. Bacterial Vaginosis – CDC Basic Fact Sheet; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stdfact-bacterial-vaginosis.htm

9. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: your questions answered; NCT; https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/common-discomforts/vaginal-discharge-during-pregnancy-your-questions-answered

Also Read:

Jelly Discharge in Pregnancy
Causes of Brown Discharge while Pregnancy
Is it Normal to Have Watery Discharge during Pregnancy

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