Throughout pregnancy, your body creates a sort of "defense system" to protect your baby, which causes changes in the color, consistency and odor of your vaginal discharge.
What are the most important changes?
In pregnancy, vaginal discharge is usually more abundant (and sometimes excessive, which is known as leukorrhea), making necessary to protect your underwear.
The flow can be light yellow, almost white, with little odor and a lot of fluid (similar to those from menstrual cycles). But be careful, if it has a yellowish or greenish color, a bad smell or if it makes you burn or itch or, if it causes redness in your vaginal area, it could be an infection, so you should see your gynecologist.
Does it change according to the time of the pregnancy?
Yes. In the first trimester there may be a little bleeding that you may confuse with menstruation and make you feel disappointed. Nothing could be further from the truth! This bleeding means that the baby is being placed in the uterus.
In the second trimester, vaginal secretions may be accompanied by bleeding. If this happens, think about what you have done throughout the day. If you have had sexual relationships or a gynecological exam, this may be the reason. Even so, it is important that you observe its color. If it's brown and you've done the activities described, it would be less of a concern than if it was bright red and it caused you pain. In any case, it is better to go to your gynecologist or to the Emergency Room to have it assessed.
At the end of pregnancy, in the third trimester, a test is usually done to determine if you have Streptococcus Agalactiae, a common bacterium that usually does not cause serious symptoms or illness, but in some cases can cause postpartum infections. So, if you're positive, your doctor will prescribe you the necessary antibiotics to be used during delivery.
Finally, you may notice the expulsion of the mucosal plug (which may be more or less stained with blood), which indicates the proximity of delivery.
In any case, Barcelona IVF will be by your side at all times so you can be calm and surrounded by the best professionals. And if you have any questions, we will thrilled to answer them!