Discharge During Pregnancy

You’re already 9 months pregnant and ready to welcome your bundle of joy. Your body has so many ways to show you that you’re going to be a mom soon, and one of them is increased vaginal discharge. What causes this heavy discharge during pregnancy, and how do they affect the course of your pregnancy? Find out next.

What causes increased vaginal discharge in the ninth month?

As you go into the ninth month of pregnancy, you will experience a noticeable increase in vaginal discharge. This is not something to worry about, but rather a sign that your body is entering the last phase before delivery.

The increase in discharge results from the fact that your body is shedding a substance called the mucus plug. The Mucus plug is thickened mucus that forms at the beginning of pregnancy, and plays a major role in preventing bacteria from reaching the uterus and harming your baby. When labor approaches, this mucus is released to allow your baby to come out.

How do I know I’m releasing the mucus plug?

Most of the times, women don’t notice the release of the mucus plug. This is because it looks pretty much like pregnancy discharge, and may be shed during urination or bowel movement. Releasing the mucus plug doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to give birth in the next couple of hours. It may take days, even weeks, before the other signs of labor make their appearance.

If your mucus plug is tinted with blood, it’s a sign that your cervix is starting to open up. You can expect to go into labor anytime now. Make sure to inform your doctor.

Vaginal discharge, urinary leakage or amniotic fluid?

If you notice a warm clear fluid suddenly flowing out of your vagina, it could be your water breaking. Usually, the amniotic fluid sac in which your baby is floating ruptures about 24 to 48 hours before labor starts. Sometimes, this fluid could be mistaken for urinary leakage or an increase in vaginal discharge, both common during pregnancy.

If you’re not sure whether this is a urine leak, discharge, or a break in the amniotic fluid sac, you can perform this simple test at home:

• Go to the bathroom, empty your bladder and then put on clean undergarments and a large panty liner. Once done, lay down for about half an hour and then stand up.
• If your water is breaking, you will likely wet your panty liner again when you stand up. If the panty liner remains dry, then what you’ve experienced could have been a urine leak or just extra vaginal discharge.
• In all cases, consult with your doctor to clear up your doubts.

References:

• https://www.virtua.org/articles/what-to-know-about-vaginal-discharge-during-pregnancy
• https://healthinfo.uclahealth.org/Search/190,topic-200

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.