Cervical mucus plays an important role in your reproductive system. In the non-fertile stages of the menstrual cycle, it becomes thick and sticky to prevent infection. When you're about to ovulate , it becomes more watery and abundant, which allows sperm to more easily swim and survive. You may notice an increase in vaginal discharge right before your period. This change is caused by increased blood flow, changing estrogen levels, and the cervix preparing for menstruation.
Monitoring your vaginal discharge in particular, your cervical mucus can also help you identify your most fertile time or "fertile window. Just as vaginal discharge changes throughout the menstrual cycle, it also changes during pregnancy.
It is usually thin, milky-white or colorless, and with a mild odor or no odor. This discharge is referred to as leukorrhea. The term frequently refers to vaginal discharge during pregnancy, but leukorrhea is also present in non-pregnant women. During pregnancy, leukorrhea production increases due to increased estrogen and blood flow to the vaginal area.
However, this increase doesn't typically become noticeable until the eighth week—after other, more definitive signs of early pregnancy, such as a missed period. In your first trimester of pregnancy, vaginal discharge increases in an effort to remove dead cells and bacteria from the uterus and vagina to help prevent infections.
The amount of vaginal discharge you experience will increase gradually as your pregnancy progresses. As long as it remains generally colorless and odorless, it is normal and not cause for concern. Over time, this discharge also helps form the mucus plug. This plug blocks the opening of your cervix to prevent an infection from entering the uterus and harming the baby. Brown or pinkish vaginal discharge may occur during pregnancy.
This could appear as light streaks or spots of color on your underwear or the toilet paper when you wipe. If it seems like very light bleeding, it could be spotting. Usually, this brown- or pink-tinged discharged does not indicate a problem. Common causes may include:. This helps prevent any infections travelling up from the vagina to the womb.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the amount of discharge increases further. In the last week or so of pregnancy, it may contain streaks of sticky, jelly-like pink mucus. This is called a "show", and happens when the mucus that's been present in your cervix during pregnancy comes away. It's a sign that the body is starting to prepare for birth. You may have a few small "shows" in the days before you go into labour. Read more about the signs that labour has begun.
Hormonal and blood volume changes during pregnancy can lead to headaches. Some women also experience period-like cramps on either side of the lower abdomen. And most women will make extra trips to the restroom. Learn more about pregnancy incontinence. Pregnancy causes blood pressure to drop and blood vessels to dilate. But pay close attention to your symptoms. Severe dizziness coupled with vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.
In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Make sure to see a doctor right away to avoid life-threatening complications. You may feel bloated, like you want to pass gas or go number two.
Your digestive system slows down during pregnancy. This gives nutrients just enough extra time to absorb into your bloodstream and reach your little one. If needed, you can also check with your doctor about adding a pregnancy-safe stool softener. About 25 to 40 percent of pregnant women will lightly bleed or notice spotting early on in their pregnancy. The slight bleeding can happen when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This is known as implantation bleeding.
Bleeding can also be caused by cervical irritation , an ectopic pregnancy, or a threatened miscarriage. Make sure to get medical help right away if your light bleeding gets heavier or is accompanied by severe cramps, back pain , or stabbing pains.
Pregnancy lowers your immunity. Talk to your doctor about pregnancy-safe treatment options. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to severe illnesses from the flu. As you get closer to delivery and your cervix begins to thin out efface and open up dilate , these mucus-like secretions may come out of your vagina.
This can be a sign of early labor. Labor still progresses on its own timeline, and your baby remains well protected.
Not everyone experiences losing their mucus plug. If you do, it might seem like an increased amount of vaginal discharge over the course of a few days, or a glob of thickened mucus that's clear, pinkish, brownish, or tinged with a bit of blood. Regular discharge comes out sporadically in small amounts, but amniotic fluid leaks out continuously once your water breaks.
Amniotic fluid is usually clear or slightly yellowish, watery, and odorless or slightly sweet-smelling. When your water breaks, amniotic fluid may come out as a leak or trickle, or in a big, dramatic gush. Either way, it will continue to leak out until you have your baby. If you think it's possible you're leaking amniotic fluid, contact your provider immediately. It's important to find out if you might be going into labor. If you're less than 34 weeks pregnant and you think your water has broken, call your provider right away.
You may need medications to delay your labor and speed up the development of your baby's lungs and antibiotics to protect against infection. There's not much you can do to stop your body's normal vaginal discharge. You can wear panty liners to absorb discharge if you need to but using them frequently may irritate your vulva.
Using tampons is not recommended during pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding or spotting during pregnancy. Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.
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