Pregnancy is the most responsible and mysterious period in the life of every woman. That is why much attention is paid to the he alth and well-being of the expectant mother. Any change can lead a woman into a panic state. To avoid this, you need to know what is considered normal and what is pathology. White discharge during pregnancy is a fairly common manifestation. Let's try to figure out if this is normal or not.
What discharge is considered normal
When white discharge appears, do not immediately worry. Normally, after a woman becomes pregnant, the amount of discharge increases, they become pale white, but do not cause any discomfort (itching, burning, irritation on the genitals).
Personal hygiene (regular showers, clean and naturalunderwear, panty liners) helps to maintain a he althy vaginal microflora and neutralize discomfort. White discharge during pregnancy is a result of the appearance of a mucous plug in the cervix, which helps to increase the protection of the fetus from possible infections and bacteria in the mother's genital tract.
If the discharge does not have a sharp specific smell, then there is absolutely no cause for concern. To be sure of this, you can visit a doctor and take a smear.
Which symptoms should be of concern
White discharge during pregnancy with a greenish or gray tinge, with a fishy or sour smell, may indicate the presence of fungal or yeast microorganisms that cause trichomoniasis and vaginitis. If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.
You can't self-medicate, even if you've had similar symptoms in the past and have a prescription or medication left. Many of them are contraindicated during pregnancy. To get a correct diagnosis and effective treatment, you need to contact a gynecologist and pass the necessary tests. After that, it will be possible to determine suitable drugs that can quickly neutralize harmful bacteria and infection, but at the same time do not affect the development of the fetus and its condition.
To self-medicate and thus endanger the life of the child and your he alth is an extremely imprudent measure.
Selections in the firsttrimester
White discharge in early pregnancy indicates fertilization and implantation of the egg in the uterine wall. At the same time, a mucous plug closes the cervix, providing reliable protection against many infections and bacteria that inhabit the mother's vagina.
Discharge increases due to changes in the woman's hormonal levels. This is necessary for the bearing of a he althy fetus and the normal course of labor. Hormonal imbalances can lead to the development of candidiasis or, in rare cases, termination of pregnancy.
As a rule, discharge is normal and does not require medical attention. Changing panty liners regularly and keeping them clean will neutralize any discomfort.
When can we talk about pathology?
White-yellow discharge during pregnancy is a symptom of an infectious disease. At different times, they can indicate different diseases. In the first and second trimesters it is:
- candidiasis;
- vaginosis;
- colpitis;
- cervicitis.
The yellow color of the discharge indicates the progression of the inflammatory process, accompanied by the presence of pus. Treatment of diseases can be started only after 10, and more often 12 weeks. In the early stages, drugs should not be used, they can contribute to the development of pathologies in the fetus and even spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.
In the third trimester, yellow discharge may indicate infection of the amniotic membranes and fluid. This poses a great threat to the baby and mother and requires the immediate intervention of medical professionals.
When the 39th week of pregnancy comes, the white discharge may turn yellow. This may be the norm, indicating the discharge of the mucous plug during the preparation of the body for labor.
Curdled discharge
White, having a curdled texture and a sour smell, are the result of the development of thrush. This is the most common disease during pregnancy. It occurs against the background of an imbalance of microorganisms in the vagina, when the natural flora is replaced by fungal bacteria.
Treatment of candidiasis begins only in the second trimester, when it becomes possible to eliminate the disease without harming the fetus. White discharge during pregnancy that has changed its smell or texture requires immediate medical attention and swabs for flora.
Green highlights
The appearance of a green tint in the discharge indicates the presence of trichomoniasis and cytomegalovirus. These diseases pose a great threat to the baby and require effective treatment.
A qualified doctor should conduct an examination and prescribe drugs based on the results of the tests. It is necessary not only to take a smear for the flora, but also to carry out bakposev with an antibiogram,to find the most effective medicine.
Pregnancy 37 weeks: white highlights
In the later stages, abundant whitish discharge may be a precursor to childbirth. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of discomfort and pain. If they are absent, then you should not rush to the hospital, since an increased amount of discharge causes the cork to come out of the cervix, indicating the imminent onset of labor.
As a rule, abundant discharge is most often present in the morning, and then does not cause much concern. If, however, throughout the day there are frequent abundant mucous discharges, this may be a sign of amniotic fluid leakage, which requires immediate treatment of the pregnant woman in the maternity hospital.
Later discharges
After the cork is removed, special attention should be paid to the hygiene of the genitals. Since the cervical canal remains open to infections, it is necessary to wash the genitals and anus regularly (preferably after each trip to the toilet). This will minimize the number of bacteria that can enter the genital tract and cause infection of the fetus.
If the 39th week of pregnancy has already begun, white discharge, accompanied by heaviness in the lower abdomen and cramping pains, indicates the onset of labor. In this case, you should not delay the trip to the hospital, especially if this is the second birth, which, as a rule, proceeds much faster than the first.
Abundant white discharge during pregnancy, odorless, is the norm. In addition, they should have a mucous consistency and not bring discomfort to the pregnant woman. If there are any changes in the discharge, you should immediately consult a doctor and carry out treatment that will help prevent the penetration of bacteria into the amniotic membranes.
