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Yellow Discharge During Late Pregnancy

Vaginal discharge or leucorrhea is common at all times. However during pregnancy this discharge increases due to the increased estrogen or female hormone secretion. More so, during pregnancy there is higher blood flow to the pelvic region, thus causing more discharge. Discharge will also increase as the due date approaches. As the cervix starts thinning out, it will cause an egg-white like mucus to flow out of the vagina. White discharge during late pregnancy is not a reason to panic. However, it might sometimes be difficult to distinguish between mucus and amniotic fluid. If it is amniotic fluid indeed, then the expectant mother is likely to be going into premature labor. If the white discharge is curd-like and has texture similar to cottage cheese, then this must not be ignored. It may indicate yeast infection.

As the mother to be readies herself for childbirth, yellow discharge during late pregnancy is also not uncommon; this discharge is harmless. During pregnancy the cervix produces cervical secretions that create a mucus plug which acts as a protective shield. The mucus from this mucus plug starts getting expelled as the pregnancy reaches its final stages. However although a little yellow, odorless and thin discharge is not unheard of, dark yellow discharge during late pregnancy with a foul odor can be a cause for concern. This may indicate infections of the vagina and sometimes may even indicate sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. For example, if the expectant mother has Chlamydia, then the discharge may be thick and dark yellow or greenish in color. If Chlamydia is ignored, it can cause labor complications and also miscarriage. Trichomoniasis is another STD having unusual discharge as a symptom. This disease can cause premature deliveries and can even infect the amniotic fluid.

Though yellow discharge in late pregnancy is common to many pregnant women, abnormal discharge must be brought to the attention of the healthcare provider. Brown discharge during late pregnancy must not be overlooked. Although it may not always indicate complications, in some cases it may indicate pre-term labor, fetal distress or even miscarriage. This kind of watery brown discharge during week 36 to week 39 of the pregnancy must be examined by the doctor.

Abnormalities such as atypical discharge must be reported to the health care provider so that he/she can either test it in order to rule out possibility of complications or in order to treat it appropriately.

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