Leukorrhea usually consists of sloughed-off dead cells and tissue. Watery discharge is a completely normal part of pregnancy, and it typically gets heavier as your pregnancy progresses. In fact, very heavy discharge towards the end of your third trimester could be a sign that your body is preparing to go into labor. But watery discharge during pregnancy is not just a meaningless symptom.
Leukorrhea clears out dead cells in the vagina, which helps maintain healthy bacteria in the birth canal and protect you and your baby from infection. So why exactly does watery discharge make an increasingly noticeable appearance when you're pregnant? There are two main reasons it could be happening, depending on where you are in your pregnancy:. Your body is responding to pregnancy-related changes.
Basically, it protects you and your baby and helps keep you both healthy. Your water broke. It could also be amniotic fluid — the liquid that nourishes and safeguards your baby in the amniotic sac.
Amniotic fluid looks a little different than leukorrhea, though. And it usually trickles out continuously once it starts. Yes, both clear watery discharge and white watery discharge are totally normal, and will likely get heavier as you get farther along in your pregnancy.
But steer clear of tampons, since they can introduce unwanted germs into the vagina. Even if the discharge feels sticky or is bothering you, a daily shower or bath is all you need to keep yourself clean. Avoid douching, since it can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your vagina and up the risk of infection. Excessive watery discharge can be a sign that your water broke if it turns out to be amniotic fluid, not vaginal discharge, and rarely, it could be a sign you're leaking amniotic fluid at other times during your pregnancy.
Thankfully, telling the difference between the two is usually pretty easy. When the discharge is amniotic fluid, it feels like a steady trickle or gush, with more of a light yellowish tint than a white one, and a thinner consistency than that of leukorrhea.
Discharge and the mucus plug, while friendly partners in pregnancy, are different. The mucus plug often looks different, serves a different purpose, and shows up at a more specific time.
Generally, the mucus plug, which serves as a protective barrier from bacteria into your uterus, breaks away and shows up late in your third trimester, closer to the time of labor and birth.
Sometimes, you don't notice the appearance of your mucus plug, since it can release in smaller amounts and look similar to regular discharge. Sometimes it will be tinged with blood. As with routine pregnancy discharge, unless there is an odor, watery discharge, or blood, it's most likely normal and not a cause for concern.
Of course, it's always helpful to call your care provider as a precaution or to help relieve any concerns. While you can't get rid of pregnancy discharge it's actually a necessary and helpful side effect of pregnancy , there are ways to help alleviate the annoyance factor. You can wear panty liners to absorb the fluid. Steer clear of tampons as they can introduce bacteria into your vagina, and don't use any douche, scented pads, or vaginal wipes as they contain chemicals that can alter the healthy bacteria and pH of your vagina.
Tags Pregnancy Discharge Fluid. Lamaze Home Contact Us Login. Return to Giving Birth with Confidence. Normal Discharge Generally, throughout pregnancy, it's normal to have daily, thin, milky vaginal discharge -- enough that you notice it in your underwear. Not Normal Discharge The general rule of thumb with pregnancy discharge is that if it smells bad, if it is any other color other than clear or white, or if it causes pain, burning, or itching, there could be a problem and you should call your midwife or doctor.
Discharge Color White or clear: Normal. Discharge Consistency Creamy, milky: Normal. Frothy: Not normal -- call your midwife or doctor. What About the Mucus Plug? Dealing With the Discharge While you can't get rid of pregnancy discharge it's actually a necessary and helpful side effect of pregnancy , there are ways to help alleviate the annoyance factor.
Though this can happen to any woman, pregnant women with conditions like blood pressure and diabetes are more prone to amniotic fluid leakage. It is vital to seek medical attention initially and after that to see your doctor on weekly consultation. Treatment for leaking amniotic fluid will depend on how far along your pregnancy is. During your weekly visits, your doctor will offer you the help and advice necessary to maintain the required level of amniotic fluid.
You may sometimes be required to take more water and rest more to avoid further loss of amniotic fluid. A good rest and timely medical attention help prevent other pregnancy complications associated with amniotic fluid leaking like bleeding and infection.
Losing amniotic fluid at the end of pregnancy poses no serious issue to you. At this time, your doctor may decide to induce labor. If you lose excessive amniotic fluid after 36 weeks, it usually indicates that you have ruptured the membranes or that labor has started. If this happens, you need to visit the hospital immediately. What causes amniotic fluid to leak is not yet clearly known. Nevertheless, it is likely to occur due to genital infection, whose symptoms include genital pain or burning when urinating.
You may also experience amniotic fluid leakage due to the rapture of the sac. This is more common in the third trimester. The hole closes by itself when you get enough rest and increase your water intake.
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