Pregnancy Discharge – An Increase in Vaginal Discharge is Common in Mothers-to-Be

When working properly, the human body’s ability to maintain health and heal itself when confronted with disease and injury is nothing short of miraculous. One of the less talked about ways the female body maintains a healthy reproductive system is by producing fluid within the glands of the cervix and vagina to cleanse the system.

This fluid reduces the chances of vaginal infection by removing bacteria and dead cells. When a woman is pregnant this release of leukorrhea (odorless or mild smelling milky discharge) is likely to occur even more often. This additional pregnancy discharge can be alarming simply because there is more of it. The increase is related to more estrogen in the body and more blood flowing to the vagina.

The closer one gets to labor, the greater the frequency of releases, which will appear noticeably different. As the cervix thins out and dilates, the discharge looks like egg white or the substance you see from a runny nose. Blood may be present in small amounts. There may also me a different smell associated with the substance during this period of time.

While this increase in mucus release is common, there are instances when the situation can be a warning sign that a complication is at hand. Large amounts of thin and clear release can indicate a leakage of amniotic fluid.
Itching or burning associated with leukorrhea can signal that there is an infection. The vulva may look inflamed when this happens, furthering evidence that a yeast infection is present.

If a woman is less than 37 weeks along, and changes in discharge amounts and characteristics occur, premature labor is a possible cause.

Any of these last three occurrences require medical attention. If there is ever any doubt or concern about pregnancy discharge a health care worker should be consulted without delay.