Watery discharge during pregnancy

Every woman who gets pregnant for the first time wonders what all the symptoms mean. There are a lot of possible symptoms and they vary from woman to woman. It is also important to know that some are quite uncomfortable and may cause pain.

Uncomfortable discharge during pregnancy

One symptom that is present during pregnancy is watery discharge. Women should know that it is quite normal, and the frequency can increase as the end of the pregnancy gets closer. The watery discharge is odorless or slightly mild smelly discharge, sticky fluid that is usually produced by the vagina. Throughout the pregnancy, the amount amplifies and becomes more noticeable. Mainly, there are two reasons for the watery discharge in pregnancy. Firstly, there is an increase of the hormone estrogen and an increased surge of blood towards the vagina during the pregnancy. In the beginning of the pregnancy, the watery discharge can look red colored. This is because of the attendance of a small quantity of spots of blood in it. As the pregnancy develops the discharge can go into a consistency of egg whites. Women need to know that there is no way to prevent this but it can be managed. Thick yellow vaginal discharge can also occur in a pregnant woman and it is usually a sign of some type of infection or some disease.Leucorrhea is the yellow vaginal discharge which usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is transparent and does not have a foul smell. This yellow vaginal discharge is made of vaginal and cervical secretion, as well as of old vaginal cells and normal bacteria that are found in the walls of the vagina.One of the causes for the occurrence of this condition is bacterial vaginosis, an infection that can be obtained through sexual intercourse, and is manifested through a burning sensation while urinating, or a yellow discharge that has a fishy smell.Another cause of yellow vaginal discharge during pregnancy may be inflamed or infected cervical polyps that form in the passage from the uterus to the cervical canal.Apart from these, certain sexually transmitted diseases are known to cause thick yellow discharge as well.

Problem with smelly discharge

When the female reproductive system is affected by some disease or disorder, it should be immediately treated since it can lead to a very serious consequence, such as infertility. One of the conditions that can be serious and that should be treated promptly is ammonia smelling vaginal discharge.First of all, every woman should know that ammonia smelling discharge is not a life-threatening condition, but it is a very embarrassing one. Although the vaginal discharge is normal, foul smelling vaginal discharge is not and it requires immediate treatment. There are glands in the vagina and cervix that secrete the fluid that flows out through the vaginal opening every day. In this fluid, there are old cells that line the vagina. With this regular vaginal discharge the body keeps the vagina healthy and clear. Normal vaginal discharge is clear and milky. It becomes thicker when ovulation occurs, when the woman is sexually excited and when the woman is breastfeeding.

Causes of ammonia smelling discharge

When a woman experiences ammonia smelling discharge, it is rarely due to poor personal hygiene. In the majority of cases, ammonia smelling discharge happens because of bacterial vaginosis, which is an infection of the female reproductive system. In the genital area of a woman, good bacteria reside in order to fight against the bad bacteria. Thus, the balance between the bad and good bacteria is maintained. However, when the balance between the bad and good bacteria is impaired, bacterial vaginosis occurs. In this condition, the bad bacteria transform nitrogen into ammonia compounds and thus ammonia smelling discharge occurs.Ammonia smelling discharge usually occurs in women who entered the period of menopause. In this period, the ovaries do not produce the hormone estrogen and progesterone any more. Along with many symptoms of menopause, ammonia smelling vaginal discharge also occurs. Furthermore, when women in menopause do not drink plenty of water, there is a high concentration of ammonia in urine, and foul smelling originates from the urine and not from the vaginal discharge in such cases.

How to Handle Watery Discharge during Pregnancy?

The best thing women can do is to get to know as much as they can about the symptoms and be ready for them because there is no way of preventing them. A lot of women use panty liners or sanitary pads because they can absorb the watery discharge. However, women should not make use of tampons for the duration of the pregnancy as it could aggravate the genital parts. Maintaining a dry genital area is a good tip and when women wipe after using the bathroom, they should wipe themselves from the front to the back. It is good to avoid using tight undergarments, feminine hygiene sprays, scented pads, and deodorant soaps as they add to the risk of a genital infection.When to See a Doctor?

If there is any confusion, a woman should then see a doctor as it is difficult to see the difference between mucus and amniotic fluid. Seeing the doctor is important if a woman feels discomfort in the genital area, itching, tingling, burning or if the color of the discharge changes suddenly.