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Discharges During Pregnancy
It is normal for a woman to have vaginal discharges. These start to happen 1-2 years before reaching puberty and stop after menopause. Leucorrhea, this being the name by which it goes, is the milky discharge that you noticed to have stained your underwear more than once. But the question that bothers some women is how this phenomenon is influenced by pregnancy.
It is well known that during this period your body undergoes massive changes, so it is natural that the discharge experienced now differs from the ones prior to being pregnant. To what extent is the real question. Due to the increase of estrogen in your body and blood flow in the vaginal region, this leaking increases in quantity, but do not panic because we are not talking about a large amount, which will make you feel uncomfortable throughout your pregnancy. The discharge consists of secretions from the cervix and the vagina, old cells from the walls of the vagina and normal bacterial flora.
Why does this process occur?
Because your body is trying to accommodate a new life and in order to do that, it finds different means to protect that embryo which will develop in time in a beautiful tiny creature. The secretions (the mucus plug) are nothing more than a protective barrier.
Just relax, because it is something normal, and come to think of it as even beneficial.
The aspect of these discharge vary. They can be gelatinous, egg-like white or resembling mucus; you can sometimes notice minuscule stains of blood in them. If the discharge is like this, then there is no need to worry.
When should I worry?
If the discharge is quite clear, you should definitely see a doctor because it is possible for the amniotic fluid to leak. If this happens early in the pregnancy then it is a bad omen. However, if the problem is addressed immediately then a solution could be found.
On the other hand, if you are somewhere in your 37 week than this could be a sign of preterm labor.
If you have a white, odorless discharge that makes you feel itchy then it could mean that you've developed a yeast infection, in which case you have go to the doctor.
What can I do to make it stop?
Actually, there is nothing you can do. As I've mentioned previously, discharges are normal when pregnant and nothing can make them go away. The amount of secretion varies from woman to woman, and you can't influence that either. However, if you do not feel comfortable, you can always use a panty liner. It is best if you wear cotton underwear and if you pay more attention to your personal hygiene: wipe from front to back, avoid using scented deodorant or other such products that interfere with the vaginal flora, and do not wear tight clothes because they will only add to the feeling of discomfort.
So, if you are pregnant, pay attention to any change in the vaginal discharge because it can signal a more serious problem. However, if everything is normal, relax and do your best to treat this symptom properly, without letting it become a source of further stress.