Color of discharge: white, brown, rose or pink and significance in pregnancy

Vaginal discharge is the secretions that come out of the vagina and the color of the discharge can give us important indications.

They are an almost constant event that accompanies us at every stage of our lives, and they are fundamental and physiological because they protect the vagina from viruses and bacteria if they are milky, thin and odorless.

Normal female bleeding most often occurs at specific points in the menstrual cycle: at the time of ovulation, during breastfeeding, or due to sexual arousal or contraceptive use.

A normal vaginal discharge consists of one teaspoon (about 4 milliliters) per day, it should be thin, odorless, white or clear.

The color of pregnancy losses

During pregnancy, the color of the losses often arouses concern, perplexity and we try to understand what they are due to. During pregnancy, vaginal discharge is greater than normal because there is a greater production of estrogen and an increase in blood circulation of the mucous membranes.

Be careful when leaks are:

• Liquid, abundant, similar to water because it could be amniotic fluid.
• If they change consistency, for example similar to cottage cheese.
• If the color is different from whitish because it could be an infection (for example if they are yellow, green or grey)
• If in addition to the discharge there is itching or burning;
• If they emit a bad fishy smell;
• If the leaks are red.

Red discharge in pregnancy

In the first trimester there may be red losses , less abundant than those of a cycle, coinciding with the period of menstruation.

These false periods are due to a hormonal imbalance in the body. This can happen for the first 5 months. You have no abdominal pain or other symptoms.

In the second and third trimester, bright red blood loss can occur in the case of:

• Premature onset of labor.
• Placental abruption.
• Sexual intercourse
• Constipation
• after a gynecological visit

When to worry?

You should go to the hospital immediately or call your midwife when bleeding remains constant or increases and if you feel contractions because it could be a threatened miscarriage!

Loss of mucus plug in pregnancy

The mucous plug is a gelatinous formation found on the uterine neck and is produced by the glands of the uterus neck.

The role of the mucous plug is to insulate the uterus and the fetus from possible infections. But don’t worry because even if you notice abundant mucus filaments, which make you think of the mucus plug, it reproduces again so you don’t need to go to the hospital.

Don’t be frightened if, in addition to the mucus, you find pink or brownish streaks because, by detaching from the neck of the uterus, it can break capillaries. Instead, go to the emergency room if there is a lot of blood along with the mucus.

Gray or cottage cheese-like mucous discharge

Unfortunately, the vaginal flora that changes pH and the humid environment due to the abundant physiological vaginal secretions frequently create mycosis or vaginal candidiasis, therefore infections. Contact your gynecologist or midwife as you need to swab to ascertain what type of infection it is.

Bacterial vaginosis

A course of antibiotics, such as metronidazole or clindamycin, is usually prescribed.

Vaginal candidiasis

The gynecologist prescribes vaginal ovules or douches against candida infection.

Watery losses in pregnancy

It may not be easy to understand if it is amniotic fluid or urine as the consistency is for both as if it were water but unlike the latter, the amniotic fluid is colorless and has no odor . Wear white cotton panties to make it easier for you to understand.

In the event of a water leak, I advise you to:

• try to urinate and then empty the bladder thoroughly
• put a white sheet, such as a pillowcase, as an absorbent and check it again two hours later. If it is wet after two hours, change it and put on a clean, dry one and wait two hours again. If it’s wet, it’s probably amniotic fluid and you need to go to the emergency room.

Brown discharge in pregnancy

Brown discharge can be caused by:

• Old blood which, in contact with the air, oxidizes and therefore takes on a brownish colour. It is not associated with contractions.
• Implantation discharge and occur close to the date on which there should have been menstruation, one week after the presumed date of ovulation) Usually this discharge ends in max 14/48 hours. They are brown or slightly pink specks.
• After sexual intercourse or a gynecological visit. The mucous membranes in pregnancy are supplied more abundantly with blood and therefore become soft and fragile.

Whatever the nature of the losses you observe during pregnancy, it is always good to inform your gynecologist, obstetrician and not rely on self-evaluation .