Mucous discharge during pregnancy - normal or pathological?
In the early stages of gestation, the discharge is colorless and odorless, sticky, and the consistency is viscous, thick, reminiscent of snot or raw chicken protein. Rarely contains tiny inclusions with light clots. Abundant mucous secretions contribute to the closure of the cervical canal, due to which the child is protected from the action of pathogenic microorganisms from the genital tract. At week 10, the expectant mother notices the appearance of a snot-like secretion with a nagging pain in the lower abdomen due to the fact that the uterus changes position.
The second trimester is characterized by a change in the properties of the discharge: at the 15th week of pregnancy, the woman notices that it becomes less viscous, slimy and more abundant due to the intense production of estrogen. At 20-21 weeks, the secretion becomes grayish, liquid and of a uniform consistency. By the 23rd-24th, false contractions appear along with milky discharge, which the expectant mother may mistake for the onset of premature labor.
In the 3rd trimester, the mucus becomes viscous and jelly-like or watery, but experts do not consider either option to be a pathology. At 28-29 weeks, the secretion becomes less abundant, maintaining a uniform structure and transparency. At week 30, the amount of mucous secretions increases, increasing noticeably by week 33, when maximum blood filling of the organs of the reproductive system occurs.
If bloody layers are found in the mucus, severe pain appears in the lower abdomen and then heavy bleeding occurs, these symptoms may be a manifestation of premature placental abruption. At 34 weeks of gestation, the volume of discharge decreases and becomes more slippery, similar to snot.
Even when pregnancy proceeds without any pathology, a certain time before the expected birth, the expectant mother notices changes in the nature of the vaginal discharge. At 38-39 weeks, snot-like mucus with a pinkish-red tint is produced. Don't be alarmed: this is a plug coming off, signaling the imminent approach of labor.
In the third trimester, at the onset of 40-41 weeks, the secretion acquires a yellowish tint, which is considered normal.
What does the color of the discharge indicate?
When vaginal discharge has a structure, shade and smell unusual for the norm, they are called pathological. Let's take a closer look at what disorder the color of the mucus indicates.
White color
They are considered physiological when they do not contain pathological impurities or unpleasant odors. From the 12th week, progesterone acts on the production of secretions, and on the 13th week the amount of secretions increases, but does not contain any foreign odor and does not cause itching or burning. If the secretion is abundant, it contains whitish inclusions that resemble cottage cheese and smell like beer, the expectant mother suffers from vaginal candidiasis. Thrush often occurs at 8-9 weeks and will need to be treated to prevent complications.
Yellow
At 6 and 7 weeks, leucorrhoea of this shade is considered normal if it is uniform in structure and is not accompanied by pain, itching, or foul odor. Yellow discharge may indicate the action of external factors - wearing underwear made of synthetic material, using panty liners with fragrances, failure to maintain regular hygiene of the external genitalia.
Also, yellowish mucus indicates an advanced inflammatory process, usually at the purulent stage of the pathology. The causative agents of infection are staphylococcus, E. coli, fungi of the genus Candida, chlamydia, gonococcus, trichomonas. A pregnant woman must undergo treatment so that microorganisms do not penetrate the fetus and cause various complications.
In some cases, discharge is a sign of leakage of amniotic fluid. The appearance of minor wet spots on underwear, which over time turn into large ones and have a specific odor, should alert a woman. If this phenomenon is observed in the second trimester at 25-26 weeks, it threatens complications for the health and well-being of the baby.
At week 37, the appearance of copious yellow, watery discharge indicates rupture of amniotic fluid and the onset of labor.
Green
This color of mucus indicates the presence of an active phase of inflammation caused by bacterial microflora. In this condition, the genitals become hyperemic and there is severe discomfort with itching and irritation.
If the consistency of the mucus resembles foam, it is most likely that the expectant mother has sexually transmitted diseases - gonorrhea, trichomoniasis. Along with leucorrhoea, itching in the genitals and painful urination occurs.
Another reason for the appearance of green discharge is considered to be vaginal dysbiosis, in which it smells like fish, and when it dries, it remains on the underwear in the form of crusts.
Brown
The safest reason for the formation of beige secretion is the implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall, which damages the capillaries. This occurs after recent ovulation, and the discharge resembles discharge before menstruation. In the first and second trimester, a brownish tint indicates clotted blood, so experts regard them as a threat of spontaneous abortion. Sometimes, due to increased uterine tone, mucus with this color appears at 18 weeks. In addition, the secretion can be a manifestation of an ectopic or non-developing pregnancy, as well as cervical erosion.
Why mucus forms - possible reasons
Normal discharge for the gestation period is synthesized by glands located in the uterine cavity and surrounding the cervix.
Hormonal changes
After fertilization, progesterone begins to be produced, which is responsible for the physiological development of the baby in the early stages and ensures the formation of the baby’s organs and systems. At the beginning of pregnancy, under the influence of the hormone, changes in vaginal discharge occur, which is why it is viscous, viscous and thick.
In the second trimester, estrogen production increases, and mucus becomes more abundant, but of a more watery consistency. If throughout the entire period it is transparent, does not have an unpleasant odor, foreign impurities or inclusions, this indicates the normal course of pregnancy.
Inflammatory process
When bacterial microflora joins during gestation, inflammation develops. The causes of the pathology are diseases of the urogenital tract, genital tract infections, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Leucorrhoea is accompanied by the appearance of discomfort, itching and burning in the external genitalia, their redness, pain during urination, and is also characterized by the presence of pus in the mucus.
When to see a doctor
During pregnancy, the secreted fluid should be clear, colorless and not have a foul odor. If you notice changes in the nature of vaginal discharge (unhealthy color, unpleasant odor, excessively watery consistency, impurities of pus or blood), you should definitely consult a qualified specialist. This will avoid threats to the health of the expectant mother and child.
If you experience nagging pain in the lower abdomen, followed by bloody discharge, call an ambulance immediately: such symptoms may indicate a threat of miscarriage!
Adequate solution to the problem
It is strongly recommended to rinse your nose with saline solution, prepared yourself or purchased at a pharmacy, it makes no difference. After this procedure, liquid transparent snot during pregnancy leaves the respiratory tract more easily in this form and reduces the likelihood of complications, and the saline solution helps relieve swelling.
For a liter of water you will need less than a tablespoon of salt, maybe a little more. The main thing here is not to overdo it: too salty water, as well as too fresh, will only irritate the mucous membranes.
Instillation of any folk remedies with a terrible color and smell, rinsing the nose with laundry soap (which sometimes gives the impression that they are trying to cure everything), lubrication with ointments, heating, inhalation and other procedures must be agreed upon with a doctor .
Read: Using snot aspirators in children
Treatment of infections that cause mucus discharge
Therapeutic measures depend on the reason why the mucus has become pathological. Any leucorrhoea during pregnancy caused by infection should not be ignored. Do not doubt that the drugs will harm the baby. Currently, doctors prescribe medications that are approved for different periods of gestation and are safe for the child.
If the inflammatory process is caused by a nonspecific bacterial microflora, the use of antibiotics will be required - Cefazolin, Amoxiclav. They are prescribed only by a doctor, and he does not recommend using them until the 12th week, when the formation of fetal organs occurs. It is strictly forbidden to change the dosage or duration of therapy on your own. Vaginal suppositories with an anti-inflammatory effect are prescribed - Hexicon, Terzhinan.
If pathological leucorrhoea occurs due to sexually transmitted diseases, antibacterial drugs are prescribed taking into account the causative agent of the disease. For chlamydial, mycoplasma or ureaplasma infections, the antibiotic Josamine is used, for trichomonas or gonococcus - Metronidazole. At the same time, local antiseptic therapy with Miramistin and Chlorhexidine is carried out.
For thrush you will need antifungal drugs - Pimafucin, Nystatin. To restore normal vaginal flora, a specialist prescribes suppositories with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli - Bifidumbacterin, Vaginorm.
Hormonal explosion
A specific reason why pregnant women develop mucous, clear nasal discharge is estrogen. Today, every schoolgirl knows that this word is related to the female endocrine system, but not everyone knows that in fact this is the name of not one, but a whole class of hormones that are produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and 6-10 weeks after conception and before the very birth - also the placenta.
Read more Medicines against human papillomavirus
Such activity does not go unnoticed. If in a normal state, when the body is not ready to give birth (he is studying at the institute and building a career), it produces about 100-200 mcg of estrogen per day, then during pregnancy their amount increases significantly. And of course, this greatly affects the condition of the expectant mother.
Preventive measures
When carrying a child, a pregnant woman must carry out a set of measures to prevent pathological processes in the body with the appearance of leucorrhoea:
- Watch your diet: food must contain essential nutrients.
- Do not overexert yourself: physical activity should be rational and alternate with proper rest.
- Regularly observe the rules of personal hygiene of the external genitalia. After each visit to the toilet, you need to wash yourself in the direction from the pubis to the anus.
- Choose underwear made from natural material, as synthetic fabric promotes the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Take probiotics: they are designed to restore normal vaginal microflora.
- Wash your hands exclusively with soap, without using sponges or washcloths, as germs multiply in them.
- Treat all diseases in a timely manner, preventing them from becoming chronic.
- Have sex with only one trusted partner to avoid acquiring sexually transmitted diseases.
- Avoid prolonged use of panty liners.
Following simple rules will allow you to avoid unpleasant consequences.
In this video, the doctor will talk about female discharge:
