#  Vaginal Discharge in Pregnancy 

 

      ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/f847464a-84fa-49e6-ad06-f7b54b733c47/iStock-1805455003?io=transform:fill,width:1000px&format=webp)  

 

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:

- [Early Pregnancy: Common Symptoms and What to Do](/bump-beyond/during-pregnancy/your-body/early-pregnancy-symptoms "Bump & Beyond: Early Pregnancy: Common Symptoms and What to Do | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)")
- [Middle and Later Pregnancy: Common Symptoms and What to Do](/bump-beyond/during-pregnancy/your-body/middle-and-later-pregnancy-symptoms "Bump & Beyond: Middle and Later Pregnancy: Common Symptoms and What to Do | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)")

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