Pregnancy is an exciting time for all mothers-to-be. However, some amount of worry and nervousness is also likely to occur, especially for first time mothers. Pregnancy brings about a great deal of changes in a woman’s body. Some of these many be minor changes, while others may be significant. In addition to cramps, nausea and other physical discomfort, another symptom that commonly occurs during pregnancy is vaginal discharge. The discharge is also likely to increase as the pregnancy takes its course.
The cervix and vaginal area become softer and the blood flow in the region increases during pregnancy. The discharge increases in order to prevent infections from moving up the vagina and into the uterus.
Brown spotting during pregnancy is a common occurrence.
But it may be a cause for concern for those who are unaware of this. Many women experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy that may be red or brown in color. This especially occurs during the first trimester. After an egg is fertilizes, it travels down the fallopian tube and enters the uterus. Here it implants itself into the blood and nutrient-rich uterine lining. This occurrence leads to some amount of brown spotting during pregnancy in the 1st trimester. Brown spotting is normal as long as it does not become heavy. Brown discharge during pregnancy after intercourse is also a common occurrence. Sexual intercourse can cause tearing or irritation of the cervix. As a pregnancy progresses, the cervix starts to become tender and soft and hence sensitivity is also likely to increase.
Infections can also lead to brown spotting. Conditions that affect the vagina such as yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and genital HPV can lead to symptoms such as burning, itching and itching along with spotting. Another cause of spotting or bleeding during pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy which is a condition where the fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube. A rarer cause of brown discharge during pregnancy is a molar pregnancy which occurs when a non-viable egg gets implanted into the womb. A brownish vaginal discharge may occur due to a miscarriage. This requires immediate medical examination. Also brown spotting during pregnancy second trimester should be brought to the attention of your doctor. Usually when bleeding occurs in a pregnancy, the doctor will conduct a pelvic exam to determine the cause. The baby’s vital signs will also be monitored. Some cases may require treatment, while others may just be normal pregnancy bleeding.
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