Vaginal Discharge in Pregnancy
It is normal to have more vaginal discharge during pregnancy. You may notice even more near the end of pregnancy. Discharge throughout pregnancy will be white or yellow.
What You Can Do
- Wear cotton underwear.
- Wash the outside of your vagina (the vulva) with water only.
- Do not wash inside your vagina, or douche—this can cause infections.
When to Get Help
Contact your clinic or go to the hospital if the discharge:
- Has a bad smell
- Causes itching or burning
- Is mixed with blood
- Makes you think your water broke
Treatment
If you need it, a vaginal test can check for infection. Two common infections are bacterial vaginosis and yeast (candida). These are not sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics (by mouth or in the vagina).
- Yeast infection is treated with vaginal cream or a one-time pill.
For more information on common pregnancy symptoms, check out:
Your Body
