When is a sign in the first trimester considered normal?
This shade indicates blood particles in the mucus. The resulting shade (light pink, dark pink, bloody, etc.) depends on its quantity. There are many factors that led to this phenomenon. Not all pose a real threat to the mother and fetus. Among the most common are the following:
- hormonal changes in the body;
- sensitivity of the internal genital organs, due to which any microtrauma can lead to a pinkish or slightly bloody color of the secretion;
- examination on a gynecological chair, taking a smear for testing - such manipulations can lead to microtrauma, etc.
In the early and late periods of gestation, different processes are observed in the body that can affect the appearance of secretion of an uncharacteristic color.
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Most doctors report that pink, pale discharge during pregnancy is not dangerous. It is still necessary to report this, since sometimes additional symptoms accompanied by this sign may indicate the onset of a pathological process. These include:
- change in color and amount of mucus to darker and more intense, respectively;
- the appearance of itching, severe pain, fever, unpleasant odor and other negative symptoms;
- problems with urination (profuseness, pain, etc.), etc.
If the above symptoms appear, you should seek help from your gynecologist.
Now you no longer need to wait for the delay to start or look for these two stripes on the test. The fetus was successfully implanted in the uterus, now there are two hearts: the mother’s and the embryo’s. The hormone chorionic gonadotropin increases every week, and this radically changes the feelings of the expectant mother.
At 8 weeks of pregnancy, the first symptoms already appear. Constant fatigue, lethargy, weakness, increased tearfulness - all this becomes an integral companion of the mother. There is a complete change in hormonal levels. These changes occur due to the pregnancy hormone progesterone, which is responsible for the preservation and development of the fetus.
Changes in taste preferences are also observed at 7-8 weeks of pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to find mothers who can eat both sweet cake and dried fish at the same time. All this is explained by the fact that taste buds are disturbed, and you want something special.
Nausea, vomiting, constipation are symptoms that can torment a woman throughout pregnancy. The reason lies in the same hormones. Digestion of food slows down, heaviness in the stomach and dizziness appear. But this is all a temporary process, since soon it will all end with a long-awaited event - childbirth.
The brain begins to form by dividing into three sections. Fingers appear on the arms and legs of the embryo. The tail that the baby originally had disappears. The intestines are formed in the abdominal cavity. One side is in the umbilical cord, the other is in the stomach. The central nervous system begins to work. The child may respond to external touches.
Discharge due to pathology
The intensity and abundance of pink discharge in the first trimester of pregnancy with the development of the disease manifests itself in different ways. Common signs include fever, itching, discomfort in the genital area, and pain when urinating. The discharge takes on darker shades. Such symptoms potentially indicate the following conditions:
- Miscarriage . Confirmation is a reduced concentration of progesterone in the blood, the appearance of pink mucus on the usual days of menstruation. The diagnosis becomes more accurate as the shade of the discharge changes to a rich red color. An important indicator is the appearance of nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Termination of pregnancy can be avoided if hormone replacement therapy is started in a timely manner.
- Detachment of the fertilized egg , in which the secreted mucus turns brown.
- Frozen pregnancy that occurs without pain. Pathology is detected using ultrasound. Apart from the appearance of dark brown vaginal discharge, no additional symptoms occur.
- Infectious lesions of the internal genital organs . The condition is accompanied by itching, pain, and an unpleasant odor from the genital canal. Other symptoms are an increase in body temperature, a change in the color of the secreted secretion to a green or yellow tint.
- Ectopic pregnancy . A condition that threatens the patient's life. The fertilized egg located outside the uterus is removed. Signs of the condition: acute pain in the abdomen, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness.
The only correct tactic to do if pink mucous discharge is detected is to immediately consult a doctor. Qualified medical care will prevent negative consequences for the body.
Reviews from gynecologists indicate that pink discharge often occurs due to changes in hormone concentrations in the early stages of pregnancy. If the condition is not critical, it is advisable to use pads for several days. It is forbidden to use them for more than 4 hours in a row.
Causes of pink discharge during pregnancy
“At the fourteenth week, I first began to experience mucus with small streaks of blood in it. Two days later everything went away. On the seventeenth, history repeated itself. I haven’t told the gynecologist about this yet. What could be the reason?"
The named shade of secretion most often indicates the presence of blood particles in the mucus. Their direct quantity affects the original color. There are quite a few reasons for the appearance of such discharge. But the most common is hormonal changes. Against this background, the sensitivity of the genital organs and mucous membranes significantly increases. In this regard, any contact actions inside the vagina can lead to microtrauma.
The appearance of pinkish mucus is often associated with examination on the chair. Additionally, some gynecological diseases are named among the causes. Thus, periodically bleeding (especially after sexual intercourse) erosion of the cervix often causes a peculiar shade of mucus.
During different periods of pregnancy, various processes occur in a woman’s body that affect the sexual secretion in a certain way. Only a doctor can correctly determine the cause based on the results of a vaginal examination, tests and ultrasound. If, in addition to this, additional symptoms are observed (spasms, burning, inflammation, etc.), then you should immediately contact an ambulance or your gynecologist.
“I noticed light pink discharge today at 35 weeks of pregnancy. There's nothing else to worry about. Is it dangerous?"
“The period is 21 weeks. Some kind of brownish smudge has appeared, and the stomach feels a little tight. What does this mean and how dangerous?”
Women often perceive pale pink discharge during pregnancy as a pathology. Of course, the doctor will not be able to immediately assure you otherwise, because This will require a full examination. According to statistics, most often this is indeed the result of completely natural phenomena (if the mucus is light and there are no other symptoms).
A larger amount of blood in the sexual secretion should alert the expectant mother. You need to seek help immediately if the amount has increased or the color has become darker. Intense scarlet discharge is a clear sign of a threatened miscarriage or a severe pathological process. If you seek help in time, you can save the child.
The situation is also dangerous when the mucus has turned brown or brown clots are observed in it. This means that there was some kind of injury or hematoma, and now the body is trying to get rid of the clotted blood. In such a situation, individual treatment is prescribed, possibly in a hospital. It includes a course of hormonal medications and vitamins that help maintain pregnancy. Appropriate therapy is selected based on a complete examination.
Light pink discharge during pregnancy can be caused by several factors. Some do not pose a danger to a woman, while others require professional treatment.
Causes of pinkish discharge:
- the presence of microscopic cracks in the mucous membrane of the genital organs;
- increased content of red blood cells in cervical mucus;
- hematoma in the birth canal, which the body gradually gets rid of spontaneously;
- minor injuries during sexual intercourse or after visiting a gynecologist;
- changes in hormonal levels due to conception;
- infectious diseases of the genital tract.
Pregnancy is often complicated by infectious diseases, in which pinkish or bloody secretions may appear. A pathogenic pathogen does not always enter a woman’s body after conception.
The infection could remain from a previous illness. Opportunistic bacteria exist in the human body for a long time without causing unpleasant symptoms. Only during pregnancy, when the defenses are reduced, does a woman develop an infectious inflammatory process.
When can pink discharge be considered normal?
The pink color of the discharge is due to a small amount of blood getting into the mucus. Blood can come from an injured vaginal wall, a bleeding cervix, and directly from the uterine cavity, where the unborn baby is developing. Correctly determining the cause of bleeding and the location of the burst vessel is very important to understand the severity of the problem.
By the color saturation of the discharge, one can judge the amount of blood that has entered the mucus. The lighter the shade, the less dangerous the woman’s condition. There are reasons that lead to the appearance of pink discharge, but are not dangerous for the mother and the unborn baby. These include the following:
- Hormonal changes in the body, which can cause small blood vessels to burst and blood to enter the vaginal secretion.
- Increased sensitivity of the internal genital organs, due to which microtrauma occurs, for example, after sexual intercourse.
- Mechanical damage to the mucosa during a gynecological examination or smear collection.
In all the described cases, bleeding will not be severe, and its duration, as a rule, does not exceed 1-2 days. Pink discharge is observed intermittently and is not accompanied by other symptoms of discomfort, which indicates that the pregnancy is not in danger.
It should be remembered that only a qualified specialist can distinguish physiological causes from pathological ones. Therefore, if any unusual discharge appears during pregnancy, it is better for a woman to consult a gynecologist in order to prevent possible complications in time.
Pink discharge in the first trimester of pregnancy
In the fourth week of pregnancy, implantation of the fertilized egg occurs. The fertilized egg tries to gain a foothold in the uterine cavity, during which small blood vessels may rupture and a pinkish discharge may appear.
In some cases, such a symptom is considered one of the early signs of pregnancy, but you should not reliably rely on it. If pinkish mucus appears 2 weeks after conception, you should pay attention to the duration of bleeding. Normally, it should not exceed 1-2 days, and the mucus should not be bright or scarlet in color. On the other hand, such a symptom is similar to a premenstrual sign, so many women may not attach any importance to it.
After this, the woman realizes that she is pregnant, since menstruation does not occur. However, on the expected days of your period, pinkish discharge may also appear. Partial endometrial detachment occurs due to the fact that the body has not yet completely adjusted its hormonal levels to a new state. The tissue detachment is not strong, so it does not lead to miscarriage.
You should be wary if the following symptoms appear:
- The amount of mucus becomes more abundant, and the color becomes more saturated.
- Pinkish discharge is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen or a disturbance in the general condition of the woman.
- Not only does the color of the mucus change, but there is also an unpleasant odor, swelling or itching.
- A woman notices problems with urination - it becomes frequent and painful.
If such symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, as there is a high probability of an infectious-inflammatory process.
Hormonal changes in the initial stages of pregnancy do not occur immediately. During certain periods, progesterone deficiency is observed, which can lead to menstrual-like bleeding and also become a threat to pregnancy.
If pinkish discharge appears for this reason, the doctor prescribes replacement therapy, which in most cases helps to maintain the pregnancy. At the same time, the woman should carefully monitor that the color of the discharge does not become more intense and its quantity does not increase. If pink discharge gradually turns scarlet and thick, and is also combined with nagging pain in the lower abdomen, this is one of the sure signs of an incipient miscarriage. In this case, the woman needs to urgently seek medical help. With proper treatment, progesterone deficiency goes away by the second trimester of pregnancy and medications are discontinued.
Another pathological condition in which pink mucus appears in early pregnancy is the ectopic attachment of the fertilized egg. In most cases, such a pregnancy does not develop, which leads to the appearance of first pink and then browner discharge. Additional symptoms include a disturbance in the woman’s general condition, dizziness, fainting, and severe pain in the lower abdomen. Only an ultrasound examination will help identify this condition, so if a woman’s health worsens, she should immediately consult a doctor.
During this period, exacerbation of chronic pathologies is also possible against the background of a decrease in general and local immunity, as well as hormonal changes. Pinkish discharge can be caused by infectious processes, as well as mechanical damage to the cervix due to ectopia or erosion.
Pink discharge in the second trimester of pregnancy
The second trimester of pregnancy is considered the calmest. The hormonal background during this period is already established, and unforeseen problems rarely arise. The appearance of pink discharge after the 12th week of pregnancy should definitely alert the expectant mother, since the physiological causes of such a symptom are unlikely.
The appearance of blood in the discharge in the second trimester can be caused by the following reasons:
- placental abruption;
- exacerbation of cervical erosion;
- beginning miscarriage;
- threat of premature birth.
The reasons described above are characterized not only by a change in the color of the discharge, but also by other symptoms. As a rule, a woman feels pain in the lower abdomen or lower back, as well as increased uterine tone. All of the above conditions pose a threat to pregnancy and therefore require immediate medical attention.
Pink discharge in the third trimester of pregnancy
The main danger of the third trimester is the threat of premature birth. The appearance of blood in the discharge in the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy occurs for the same reasons as in the second trimester (placental abruption, premature birth). Among the non-dangerous causes, only minor damage to the vaginal mucosa can be noted, for example, during careless sex or douching. In this case, the pink color will not be saturated, and the symptom will disappear within 1-2 days.
If pink mucus is accompanied by additional symptoms (pain, hypertonicity of the uterus, poor general health), you should urgently consult a doctor and undergo a detailed examination in order to maintain the pregnancy and the health of the baby.
In the last two weeks of pregnancy, pink discharge may appear as the mucus plug comes out. It was a jelly-like mass that tightly closed the cervical canal and prevented infection from entering the uterus. As the due date approaches, hormonal changes occur and the cervix begins to dilate, causing the mucous plug to fall out. This process is accompanied by rupture of small vessels, which causes the appearance of blood in the discharge.
The mucus plug comes out gradually, peeling off in pieces. In this case, the woman should have no other pathological symptoms. If a pregnant woman feels pain in the lower abdomen or the color of the discharge becomes more intense, you should consult a doctor to rule out placental abruption and other dangerous conditions.
Vaginal secretion
What kind of discharge should there be at the beginning of pregnancy? Discharge should not change during pregnancy. A small amount is allowed. Color may vary slightly from clear to milky. Slightly brownish discharge may occur at 8 weeks of pregnancy. The main thing is that the discharge is not accompanied by symptoms such as itching or nagging pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.
Pregnancy does not always go smoothly. A woman is faced with many changes unknown to her. Typically, menstruation should stop after fertilization. But it is not always the case. This is explained by the fact that during fertilization the egg may not have time to reach the implantation site, so the woman begins her next period. The delay will occur in this case when the embryo has already grown a little. This phenomenon is normal and does not require special treatment.
At first, a woman may observe bloody spotting on her underwear. This indicates that the fertilized egg has attached to the wall of the uterus. In this case, there is no need to panic. This is considered the norm.
Initial stage of pregnancy.
Pink discharge during early pregnancy is usually normal and does not bode well if there is no burning or discomfort in the groin area. This process is explained by several reasons:
- Hormone levels. Any hormonal fluctuations in the female body can manifest themselves externally, including as the release of various substances from the vagina. The level of the hormone progesterone increases more than usual, because of this the inner walls of the vagina and cervix become softer and a little thinner. This can lead to minor injuries, after which pinkish discharge appears, mixing with blood. If you are pregnant, be especially careful when having sex, as the risk of microtrauma increases.
- Progesterone. Just like an excess, a lack of the hormone progesterone can cause discharge. This effect occurs on menstrual days and disappears at a later date. The discharge itself, in this case, does not pose a danger, but a lack of the hormone can add problems. Consult your doctor, you may be prescribed maintenance hormonal therapy.
- Implantation of fertilized egg. After approximately 6 days from the end of sexual intercourse, implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine cavity ends. In this case, irritation of the walls of the uterus may occur, which provokes pink discharge at the beginning of pregnancy. The main sign of implantation of the fertilized egg is a small amount of discharge. Moreover, the symptoms of this process, in most cases, go unnoticed by the female body. If you experience heavy discharge or bleeding, while the level of progesterone is within the normal range, then an urgent examination is necessary for diseases.
Beige discharge
The appearance of this color of discharge does not exclude the presence of the following diseases:
- inflammatory process;
- sexual infections;
- candidiasis (thrush).
During pregnancy, as before, the female reproductive organs are colonized by both beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms. When there is a balance in the composition of both, infections and their manifestations are excluded. As soon as the balance is disturbed, unpleasant symptoms arise in the form of pathological discharge.
The inflammatory process is a protective function of the body to prevent the development of infections. A kind of immunity. If the bacteria are eliminated, then there will be no disease; otherwise, inflammation of not only the genitourinary system, but also other systems is possible.
Thrush is also a common companion for pregnant women. Infection with fungi of the genus Candida of the vaginal wall. Pain, itching, burning, and cheesy discharge are symptoms of thrush. The reason for the appearance is a disturbed vaginal environment in which fungi multiply intensively. In normal conditions, candida is present in the body, but under the influence of hormonal imbalance the balance is disrupted and an infection occurs.
To restore normal conditions in the body, it is necessary to take medications containing beneficial bacteria, as well as special preparations to defeat fungi. For preventive purposes, it is recommended to carry out maintenance therapy aimed at strengthening the immune system.
Brown discharge
Brown discharge at 8 weeks of pregnancy conceals the appearance of an infectious disease of the urinary system, which can only be detected using laboratory methods. Typically, light brown discharge indicates the appearance of cervical erosion. The disease is treated in the postpartum period according to indications, sometimes the tissues are restored on their own. The process of inflammation is carefully monitored in the form of colposcopy, cells are taken for diagnosis to exclude malignant tumors.
Brown discharge may indicate a threat of pregnancy loss, an incipient miscarriage, or the cessation of the child's development. This is evidenced by the disappearance of symptoms, cessation of bloating and soreness of the chest, toxicosis, etc.
If the discharge is combined with severe dizziness, nagging pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region, then we can talk about a miscarriage. Parts of the fertilized egg separate, and the body spontaneously pushes the embryo out. During this process, brown discharge during pregnancy begins to turn red.
Late dates
Discharge in later stages of pregnancy is no longer the norm and should alert the expectant mother. There may be several reasons:
- Fertilized egg. Detachment of the fertilized egg from the uterus ahead of schedule poses a serious danger for both the mother and the unborn child. By prematurely separating from the uterus, the fetus disrupts the natural development of pregnancy, which can lead to its death. In addition to discharge in later stages, the symptom is the mother’s poor health and a sharp loss of strength.
- Cervical erosion. Pale pink discharge during pregnancy is the main symptom of erosion. Usually, it appears after sexual intercourse. There is no need to worry about the effect of this disease on the child, it will not affect him in any way. Still, it is necessary to visit a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis and rule out other complications. Treatment of the cervix should begin after the birth of the child.
- Infection. Inflammation and acute infections are among the most dangerous phenomena for mother and fetus. Urgent medical intervention is necessary if the discharge is combined with symptoms such as: increased body temperature:
- burning in the groin area, pain;
- unpleasant vaginal odor;
- dark brown, green, yellow color of discharge
- strong physical activity;
General information
Before dealing with the possible causes of deviations, you need to understand what discharge occurs most often during pregnancy.
It is known that the state of a woman’s reproductive system is determined by hormonal influences. After conception, the production of the main protector of pregnancy, progesterone, begins to increase.
It creates conditions under which the glands of the vagina and cervix produce thick, transparent or whitish mucus.
From the second trimester, estradiol begins to be actively synthesized. It is needed for uterine enlargement and mammary gland growth. Accordingly, the nature of natural discharge also changes - it becomes more abundant and watery, while maintaining the same color. Immediately before childbirth, a mucus plug comes out of the cervical canal, which leads to an increase in the volume of discharge.
Normal discharge during pregnancy is called leucorrhoea. They should not contain any inclusions, have a strong odor or cause any inconvenience. The woman's general condition is not affected, and she feels well. But if a pregnant woman notices any abnormalities in the nature of the discharge, she should consult a doctor.
Causes of pink discharge
Pink mucus on underwear that appears after the baby is conceived can alarm and upset the expectant mother. Many of the women who find themselves in this situation do not know about the possible causes and consequences of this symptom. This phenomenon does not always indicate problems in the body or the threat of termination of pregnancy.
Usually, girls who watch their diet and lifestyle do not have such problems. Intense physical activity or ignoring the ban on sex can provoke bleeding. Constant stress and hard work often lead to the loss of a child at the initial stage of gestation.
Pink discharge that appears irregularly is a reason to consult a doctor and reconsider your habits, daily routine and diet. The main factors that can provoke pinkish discharge during early pregnancy include:
- swimming in cold or polluted stagnant bodies of water;
- taking a hot bath or shower;
- drinking any alcoholic beverages (even in small quantities);
- constant stress;
- malnutrition;
- too active sex life;
- taking strong medications without consulting a doctor;
- standing on your feet for more than 8 hours a day.
A pregnant woman's diet must include foods rich in vitamin B and folic acid in sufficient quantities. In order to prevent vitamin deficiency, it is necessary to drink a course of microelements in tablet form. In the summer, it is advisable for pregnant women to spend more time outdoors.
Before birth
Before the baby is born, the mucus plug is released. It looks like a mucus clot and may contain blood. Its shade depends on the amount of blood. The clot fills the cervical canal, thus protecting the fetus. The removal of the plug indicates that labor is imminent. It may come out all at once or gradually over several days. After it is completely discharged, the woman in labor begins to leak amniotic fluid, after which contractions appear.
In any case, a woman cannot leave everything as is, this can lead to serious complications. If any of the above symptoms occur, a pregnant woman should visit a gynecologist.
Discharge before childbirth
The presence of pink discharge before childbirth is most often a variant of the norm. There is such a thing as a cork coming out. This is a lump of mucus that closes the cervical canal throughout pregnancy. Before birth, it becomes soft, decreases in size and moves away. The mucus plug can have a different color range, but most often it is pink, sometimes brown.
From 38 to 40 weeks of pregnancy, pink discharge is stretchy, thick mucus, which indicates the imminent onset of labor. As a rule, another week passes, after which contractions begin. Thus, this kind of discharge should not scare you. If you notice such a secret, then tell your doctor who you are seeing about it. Most likely, he will tell you to prepare for childbirth.
It’s another matter when the discharge has brighter colors and is highly intense. A similar secretion can be released during placental abruption, which we discussed above. In this case, call an ambulance without delay.
Bloody discharge during pregnancy
09/01/2014Discharge during pregnancy Vaginal discharge is a normal occurrence for a woman at any stage of her life, unless it is abnormal. During pregnancy, the discharge changes somewhat - in the first trimester it is whitish and thick, in the second it becomes clearer and thinner. Naturally, heavy bleeding during pregnancy cannot bode well; in such situations it is better to consult a doctor immediately. But we’ll talk about bloody discharge and its danger/safety in this article.
So, indeed, bloody discharge during pregnancy may in fact be a variant of the absolute norm - this is, of course, good news for you. However, in practice, this version of the norm occurs, unfortunately, not very often - and this is correspondingly bad news. In most cases, any brownish vaginal discharge portends a threat to your pregnancy.
In fact, sometimes discharge of this kind can be the norm, and do not portend anything bad for either the expectant mother or her child. But, unfortunately, it is often these discharges that signal serious disorders and the threat of termination of pregnancy.
What kind of discharge is normal during late pregnancy?
Throughout the entire period of bearing a child, a woman’s genitals prepare for the moment of childbirth, this process is especially active in the last weeks before birth. This is especially true for the vaginal epithelium, which experiences maximum stress during the passage of the fetus through the birth canal.
Normally, the vaginal mucous membranes are always moisturized, and inevitable changes in the balance of the vaginal flora and hormonal levels of a pregnant woman transform this moisture into secretions of various types.
The intensity of the discharge increases in the later stages of pregnancy, and if it is clear and does not have an unpleasant odor, the woman has no reason to worry - this is a normal physiological process of preparing the body for labor.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the discharge acquires a thinner consistency, as the hormonal background shifts towards increasing estrogen. Excessive concentration of female sex hormones in the body increases the degree of permeability of blood vessels in the vagina, which in turn causes an increase in the amount of vaginal secretion released.
Immediately before childbirth or a week before it, a mucous plug comes out of the cervix, which indicates its readiness for labor.
During pregnancy, this plug protects the fetus from possible infection. In appearance, this plug is a clot of white mucus. Sometimes it comes out entirely as a jelly-like clot, and in some cases it can come out for several days in the form of a mucous secretion, which may contain blood impurities. Such discharge should not cause anxiety in a woman, but she should know that their appearance is a sign of imminent labor.
Another type of discharge that signals impending labor is the process of discharge of amniotic fluid. In most cases, the water leaves immediately; it is a colorless liquid that smells like urine. If the water leaves immediately, then its volume is on average 200 ml. Sometimes they disappear gradually in the form of colorless discharge.
A woman should know that in order to determine the nature of this discharge, she should use a clean white cloth. It needs to be placed as a pad and the intensity of wetting must be assessed for half an hour. If the spot has noticeably increased, then this is a sign that it is time to go to the maternity hospital.
Expert opinion
Daria Shirochina (obstetrician-gynecologist)
In the last month of pregnancy, a woman may experience a moderate amount of clear or yellow discharge, which may be a sign of amniotic fluid leakage. This is a reason to urgently consult a doctor, since this condition is a risk for the fetus due to the possibility of infection through an insufficiently dense membrane.
In order for a woman to independently determine the nature of vaginal discharge, its color and consistency, it is recommended to use daily sanitary pads without fragrances.
We recommend reading the article about discharge during pregnancy after IVF. From it you will learn about normal and pathological discharge in a pregnant woman, the causes and dangers of curdled, brown and bloody discharge. And here is more information about brown discharge in early pregnancy.