Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is often worrisome for most women, though it is quite common. A clear white discharge with a stringy texture is often nothing to worry, but yellow discharge during pregnancy, coupled with a strange odour definitely deserves your attention. Though it may or may not be serious, a yellow discharge during gestation is mostly indicative of a sexual transmitted infection or STD, so exercising a little caution and being attentive to the symptoms is required.
Yellow Discharge During Pregnancy First Trimester
The first trimester of pregnancy is usually the most doubtful one. Since the risk of miscarriage is also high during the first 3 months of pregnancy, pregnant women exercise all caution and are disturbed by anything that looks or feels different. But then, the first trimester is also the time when your body undergoes many major changes.
As the hormones start to prepare the body for the baby, there is an increased flow of blood towards the vagina. Our panel gynaecologist Dr Ankita Patel Tayal explains that the yellowish discharge is mostly not a cause of worry, as it due to the production of increased estrogen. You may notice sticky, odourless discharge from your vagina, which is referred to as leukorrhea generally increases as the pregnancy progresses.
However, if the yellow discharge during pregnancy first trimester is accompanied with vaginal itching, foul smell, or happens all the time, it may be a sign of an infection. It is, but only important that you seek your doctor’s advice on immediate basis.
Related Reading: Top 11 Precautions To Take In The First Trimester Of Pregnancy
Yellow Discharge During Pregnancy Second Trimester
The second trimester of pregnancy is a more settled state, with your mind and body tuning in the pregnancy. You can probably eat better now and seem more in control of your mood swings and there is an increased sense of familiarity with the pregnant you.
During the second trimester too, you will often notice vaginal discharge that has the consistency of egg whites. It may even be slight yellow in colour. However, a foul smell, thick mucus like discharge is a sign of infection and needs medical attention. Moreover, in case of an infection a burning or itchy sensation along the vagina may be observed. It may also hurt to pass urine.
Some women develop yeast infection, which releases a cheesy discharge. Candidiasis can harm your unborn baby so it can be serious. This again, needs medical treatment so see your doctor right away. If you notice pain or discomfort during or after making love, you need to bring this to your doctor’s notice too. Also notice if the discharge increases after indulging in sexual activity.
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Yellow Discharge During Pregnancy Third Trimester
The third trimester again brings about varied discomforts and hormonal changes in the body in preparation for the delivery. The baby grows the maximum in bone and body during the third trimester, so you notice considerable weight gain for you and the baby both.
According to Dr Ankita Patel Tayal, a practising obstetrician and gynaecologist, discharge during the third trimester of pregnancy needs your attention even more, because this is the time when the body may shed the mucus plug- which closes your uterus for the baby’s growth and development. When the pregnancy is at its last stage, the normal, clear discharge increases, but if you notice traces of blood, yellow or green discharge or foul-smelling discharge you need to see your doctor.
In case you notice that you are wetting your panties due to the discharge, consider wearing panty liners to save yourself from embarrassment.
Related Reading: 12 Signs Of Healthy Baby In Womb- Trimester Wise
Is Yellow Discharge During Pregnancy Normal?
Well, yellow discharge that is odourless, does not cause you pain or itching or burning sensation and does not make it uncomfortable to urinate is quite a normal occurrence during pregnancy. Redness in the vaginal area, any pain, abruptions or pimples on the vaginal walls warrants a need of medical examination and should not be taken lightly. Foul odour, pus-like feel and more than some discharge may indicate a vaginal infection.
Dark yellow discharge could indicate infections like gonococci, staphs, colon bacilli which warrant a need to visit the hospital. It also has a very unpleasant smell that is quite distinct from the usual yellow discharge during pregnancy.
Each type of vaginal infection is caused by a different type of germ or organism, so each type must be treated differently.
Is Yellow Discharge An Early Sign Of Pregnancy?
Vaginal discharge is a common occurrence for most women, however, when you conceive, you may notice increases pale-yellow, sticky, odourless discharge that will largely continue all through the pregnancy. This yellow discharge, for many women can be an early sign of pregnancy. However, any discharge that smells bad and causes itching or burning needs to be checked by the doctor.
Related Reading: 9 Common Infections During Pregnancy You Should Be Aware Of
What Should You Do?
Though largely harmless, vaginal discharge is not really a pleasant thing to deal with. If you notice no foul symptoms with it, you should just let the phase pass on its own, without doing anything much about it.
- You can wear panty liners or pads to contain the feeling of wetness and stay dry down there. No, don’t use tampons strictly
- Douching should be totally avoided as it can blow air into the vagina which can cause many complications for the unborn baby and you
- Unless your doctor advises, there is no need to use vaginal washes and wipes down there. These contain agents that can upset the pH levels of your vagina, increasing your chances of developing an infection
- Sometimes, yellow discharge is a result of poor hygiene of the genital area. Make sure you wear clean panties and always wash off after using the toilet
It is always better to be safe, so always watch your body changes closely when you are pregnant and if you notice anything that seems out of the ordinary for you, do not hesitate to call your doctor and seek his or her advice. Be proactive, as you are responsible not just for yourself, but also for your unborn baby.