Flag as Not Acceptable?
We review flagged content and enforce our Terms of Use, in which content must never be:
- Profane or sexually explicit
- Disrespectful or abusive
- Infringing of copyright
Parentpedia
Vaginal Discharge
There are a few different types of vaginal discharge you may experience during your pregnancy. The most common is a thin milky, mild-smelling discharge called leucorrhea. It's caused by the massive hormonal changes that your body is undergoing as you carry a fetus.
Some pregnant women do not notice any increased vaginal discharge and most find that the discharge increases later in the pregnancy. You may notice an increase in discharge when you wake in the morning.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, even if you have excessive vaginal discharge, it's important not to wear a tampon (which can introduce harmful microbes into the vaginal) or to douche (which can upset normal vaginal flora and cause infection).
To make yourself more comfortable:
- Wear a panty liner. Try using all natural organic cotton liners like Glad Rags as the chemicals in disposable liners may further irritate your skin.
- Wear only cotton or natural fiber underwear. Synthetics can be irritating.
- Don't use scented toilet paper or take bubble baths. The chemicals in perfumes can cause infection.
- Wash underwear with natural, no-dye detergent.
Mucous Plug
Sometime during the third trimester, usually towards the end, you may lose the mucous plug, which is a plug that blocks the uterus to keep out harmful bacteria. It is not the same as vaginal discharge.
This thick sticky plug may be clear in color or tinged with blood and losing it is a sign that your cervix is opening up to prepare for labor (though actual labor may be weeks away). Although it's usually quite striking looking (read: kinda gross), women who have an increased in vaginal discharge may not even notice the mucous plug.
Safety Note
See your doctor if the vaginal discharge:
- feels uncomfortable
- is accompanied by vaginal itching or redness
- has an offensive odor
- has a gray to greenish or yellowish tinge
- has a cheesy consistency
You may have an infection or sexually transmitted disease that needs treatment.
* IMPORTANT NOTICE: Parentpedia contains the opinions and views of other users and not of Disney or its affiliated companies. Given the interactive nature of Parentpedia, we cannot endorse, guarantee or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy or veracity of any content on this site, including the content generated by users, article authors or article reviewers.The contents of Parentpedia are intended for informational purposes only. Such contents provide general information that is not specific to any individual. The contents are not intended to, and do not, substitute for or constitute medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before acting on information obtained from this site. Never disregard professional medical or healthcare advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read on this site. Parentpedia does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Reliance on information presented on Parentpedia is at your own risk.
Thank You!
Thank you for helping us maintain a friendly, high quality community at Family.com. This comment will be reviewed by a community moderator.
