Discharge and bleeding during pregnancy

Discharge from pregnancy

It is normal to have increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy, but it is best to speak with a midwife or other healthcare professional about the nature of the discharge in case of problems. The root causes of vaginal discharge in pregnant women are the same as those in those who are not.

These causes are:

o Hormonal activity,

o Infection,

o Non-infectious irritation,

or cervical ectropion (cervical erosion)

Hormonal activity

It is quite normal for increased hormonal activity to cause an increase in normal vaginal emissions. The clear or whitish mucous discharge known as leukorrhea, which is non-irritating and has a mild odor, can increase substantially during pregnancy. Panty liners can be used to control this increased emissions, but tampons and douching are not recommended as they can cause problems.

Infection

Smelly, discolored, irritating, or bloodstained discharges should be evaluated for infection. This will likely involve the use of swabs to determine the type (s) of infection that is suspected.

The two most common infections are:

o Candidiasis (thrush)

o Bacterial vaginosis

Candidiasis

Commonly known as yeast or yeast infection, yeast emissions are characterized by being whitish or whitish-gray in color, having a lumpy consistency similar to cottage cheese, and a yeasty smell like beer or baked bread. These infections occur when yeast organisms, which are always present, are affected by certain conditions, including pregnancy, and become out of balance with the other natural microorganisms. For the treatment of yeast infection, various home remedies are said to work quite well. Ingestion or direct application of yogurt will help kill yeast organisms as it contains lactobacillus, which is a probiotic or “friendly bacteria.” The use of garlic and boric acid is also said to be effective. There are several antifungal medications prescribed to treat yeast infection:

o Clotrimazole (eg Canesten), although adequate testing has not been performed in pregnant women (as is common with most medications), no adverse effects have been found in the fetuses of pregnant animals in testing.

o Nystatin (eg Mikostat, Oral Mycostatin, and Restatin) has a similar safety status as above.

o Fluconazole (for example, Diflucan, Flucand, and Flucoheal) has also not been adequately tested in pregnant women. Animal testing indicates adverse effects and toxicity to fetuses, but the drug could be prescribed if the benefits are thought to outweigh any potential dangers.

o Ketoconazole (eg Nizoral creams and shampoos) has a similar safety status as above.

Other drugs are used in more serious cases, usually in hospitals.

Sugar intake is a factor that affects fungal infections and it is sometimes recommended to reduce the consumption of refined sugars.

Bacterial vaginosis

This condition is also related to the balance of microorganisms present in the vagina and is characterized by a non-irritating watery discharge with an unpleasant fishy odor. BV is thought to increase the risk of preterm birth by three times, so it is especially important to get it treated. Antibiotics such as metronidazole (for example, Anazol and Elyzol) are used to treat BV. This drug, although not adequately tested in pregnant women, has not been found to indicate any risk to animal fetuses in studies.

Other infections

Trichomoniasis is usually spread through sexual intercourse. Symptoms include pain and a greenish-yellow or gray discharge that smells bad. It can affect both genders, so couples should also be treated to prevent it from being passed back and forth. Treatment usually consists of prescription antibiotics.

Chlamydia is also sexually transmitted and sometimes produces discharge. It is more common to have light bleeding, especially after sexual intercourse, and sometimes pain in the pelvic and lower abdominal region.

Always consult a midwife, physician, or health visitor if you suspect an infection before attempting any course of action.

Non-infectious irritations

Non-infectious irritation or non-infectious vaginitis is self-explanatory. Symptoms are irritation, itching, and sometimes vaginal discharge without any infection. The causes of this condition can be:

o Reaction to toiletries, vaginal deodorants, fabric softeners, etc.

o Wear leggings, exercise pants, etc.

or sweating,

o Wear a wet bathing suit,

o Sexual activity.

Treatments for this condition should be discussed with a doctor. Precautionary measures include:

o Wear cotton underwear

o Clean the vaginal area from front to back to avoid contamination

o Do not wear clothing that is too tight around the vaginal area

o Do not scratch

o Avoid what can trigger reactions, vaginal deodorants, etc.

Cervical Ectropion (Cervical Erosion)

This is a fairly common condition during pregnancy, as it is affected by changes in hormones. It involves the displacement of a delicate membrane in the area of ​​the cervix that contains mucus-producing glands. This, in turn, can lead to a vaginal discharge of a mucous nature and also light bleeding that is painless.

The mucus plug

The mucus plug is like a gel sealant inside the cervix that protects the fetus from infection by sealing the mouth of the uterus. The expulsion of the mucus plug is also sometimes called a “bloody show.” The mucous discharge is usually brownish yellow, sometimes pinkish in color.

Along with a general increase and thickening of discharge that can occur as the pregnancy approaches delivery, there can be quite a bit of mucus when the mucous plug becomes loose, which can be a sign that labor is imminent. Although it can be a matter of hours, days or even weeks until the cervix fully dilates.

Bleeding during pregnancy

There are many reasons why vaginal bleeding can occur during pregnancy. Some of these reasons have already been covered. It is not uncommon for women to experience some bleeding during early pregnancy at the time when they would normally have their menstrual cycle. In some cases, this can continue throughout the pregnancy. There may also be some bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy at the implantation stage of the fertilized egg. Bleeding can also occur later in life due to the placenta embedding itself in the lining of the uterus.

Bleeding in early pregnancy

Other reasons why bleeding in the first trimester could occur are the threat of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. In the case of threatened miscarriage, the bleeding may be brown spotting, blood-stained discharge, or bright red bleeding. There may also be abdominal pain. A midwife or doctor should be consulted if there is vaginal bleeding.

The time of greatest risk for miscarriage is immediately after implantation. It is estimated that 50% of all fertilized eggs do not remain in place. This results in many miscarriages that go unnoticed as the eggs simply come out with normal or slightly delayed periods. It is believed that 80% of all miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, often at times when the monthly cycle should be.

Ectopic pregnancy is where the embryo implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. This is a potentially very dangerous condition that could lead to bleeding if not diagnosed early. Abdominal pain, caused when the tube becomes distended, tends to appear around the second month of pregnancy, and vaginal bleeding often occurs as well. A scan will be done to confirm any diagnosis of suspected ectopic pregnancy.

Bleeding in later pregnancy

Any bleeding that occurs after 28 weeks is known as prepartum hemorrhage and could be caused by one of two potentially serious conditions.

Placenta previa occurs when a low placenta blocks the entrance to the cervix. This complication affects approximately 0.5% of pregnancies. Women who are at higher risk for placenta previa include those who have had a cesarean delivery or abortion.

Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus. This occurs in about 1% of pregnant women. An important factor in this complication is maternal hypertension.

If the bleeding occurs suddenly in the later stages of pregnancy, the women should lie down and arrangements should be made to take her to the hospital immediately.