Yellow Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is very common, because of the increase in the
levels of estrogen and the additional flow of blood to the vaginal region. However,
the appearance of the discharge can differ in consistence and color and could occur
for various reasons. A white discharge which has the consistency of egg whites is
normal, as is a light yellow discharge. However, a thick yellow discharge during
pregnancy that usually has a foul odor could be the symptom of a disease or an
infection and could probably be caused by one of the following factors:

Bacterial Vaginosis Commonly known as BV, this condition refers to an

infection that is the result of an imbalance of organisms, in the vagina or cervical
canal. It can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, just like a yeast infection.
Some symptoms associates with BV are a burning sensation while passing urine or a
yellow discharge that has a fishy odor. Pregnant women who are affected by BV are
likely to have preterm labors, or deliver babies that are too small.

Cervical Polyps These are smooth, red, finger-like appendages, appearing in

the passage that extends from the uterus, to the cervical canal. Cervical polyps
usually occur without displaying any symptoms. However, they can get infected or
inflamed, resulting in a change in the color and smell of the discharge. Read more
on green discharge during pregnancy
Trichomoniasis: This is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) that can lead to
abnormal yellow discharge during pregnancy. Trichomoniasis is a parasite that
affects the vaginal discharge of the expectant mother. It can also lead to other
serious concerns like an infection in the amniotic fluid, or a pre-term birth.
Chlamydia: This is also an STD, with leads to either a thick yellow discharge, or a
green one, in women who are pregnant. If left untreated, this condition can cause a
miscarriage or complications during labor. Chlamydia can be passed on to a baby,
when the mother is going through the labor and this can be very harmful to the
newborn.
Candidiasis: It is a kind of yeast infection, occurring in quite a few pregnant
women because of hormonal changes. This yeast infection can be treated by using
anti-yeast vaginal creams, which should be prescribed by a doctor.

As some cases of yellow discharge during pregnancy can be a cause for concern, it
is best to adopt precautionary hygienic measures to avoid any kinds of infections.
Get to know about mucus discharge during pregnancy
There are several changes that a pregnant womans body undergoes, because of
the surge in hormones. Since there is an increase in the levels of estrogen within
the body and because there is an additional flow of blood to the vaginal area, it is
not uncommon for a woman to experience vaginal discharge during the course of
pregnancy. Leucorrhea is the term that is used to describe the discharge that can be
seen during pregnancy, which is generally made up of secretions from the cervix as
well as the vagina, the normal bacteria flora from the vaginal walls and old vaginal
cells. The frequency of the discharge as well as the amount can differ from one
woman to the other. Moreover, as the pregnancy progresses, it is natural for amount
to increase. In most cases, the discharge can be described as being odorless or
mild-smelling and sticky. If vaginal discharge resembles the consistency of egg
whites there is usually no cause for concern. However, if a woman experiences thick
yellow discharge during pregnancy, which has a foul odor, it is important to get it
checked immediately. This is because an odorous, thick and light yellow discharge
during pregnancy could be the sign of a disease or an infection. However, if a
woman experiences a yellow discharge, without any odor, then it is not necessarily
a cause for concern.

It is not very common for women to experience a yellow discharge during

pregnancy first trimester or second trimester. However, an odorless or mild-smelling
light yellow discharge during pregnancy third trimester is regarded as being
harmless. As the womans delivery due date approaches, it is also normal for the
amount of pregnancy yellow discharge generally increases too. However, during any
time of pregnancy, if the yellow discharge is accompanied by a foul odor, it is
imperative for the pregnant woman to inform her medical health care provider
about it immediately, as it could be the symptom of an infection. Some women
believe that yellow discharge is a pregnancy sign, if it is seen during the early
stages of pregnancy. However, in case of most normal pregnancies, the discharge,
which acts as one of the early symptoms of pregnancy, is actually white in color.

How to prevent yellow discharge during pregnancy?

Fortunately, there are several measures that pregnant women can take, in order to
avoid the dreaded pregnancy yellow discharge. Some of the practices that can
prevent the thick yellow discharge during pregnancy are:

Keeping the genital area clean and dry at all times

Wearing clothes and especially undergarments that are loose fitting and will not
irritate the skin
Avoiding practices such as douching, as they worsen the problem of vaginal
discharge.
Following a healthy diet and including a good amount of yogurt in it.
Controlling stress through various practices, like yoga or meditation
Regulating the levels of sugar in the blood, especially in case of women who are
diabetic.
These measures can only help reduce the risks of yellow discharge in pregnancy to
a great extent. However, in case a yellow discharge is noticed in spite of following
all these practices, it is best to consult a gynecologist without any delay.

Yellow Discharge and Menstrual Cycles

There are many women who notice a yellow discharge before periods every month.
This is not a problem and neither is a yellow discharge after periods, as long as
there is no foul odor that accompanies the yellow discharge. This is because a
womans body does remove dead cells as well as bacteria from the vagina, as part
of a self cleansing mechanism. The amount of discharge for varies for every woman.
However, it has been seen that a discharge before periods is generally thinner and
towards the whiter side. The discharge after periods is normally thicker and is more
yellow in color.

However, if a woman finds this problem to be an embarrassing one, it is best for her
to undergo a checkup and determine its cause, especially if she is pregnant.
Submitted by N on June 26, 2010 at 07:51