Early on in a pregnancy you may notice a mucus discharge. This is usually a cervical mucus discharge. It is quite common to experience discharges during pregnancy. The primary causes are increased hormonal activity, infections, irritation that is not infectious and cervical erosion.
There can be a cervical mucus discharge in early pregnancy which can be yellow, brown, a blood color or pink mucus. Different color of the discharge means similar things and if it increases or gets bloody, need medical intervention.
Sometimes the mucus discharge during pregnancy can be thick or dark mucus. You have to pay close attention to it and mention it to your doctor as needed. Increased hormonal activity leads to an increase in the amount of discharges during pregnancy.
It could increase considerably in the first few months but you should not use tampons. Sometimes the brown spotting is just old blood and is not be a cause for worry. If you see a discharge, you should test your blood. If you are worried it is the beginnings of a miscarriage, the pregnancy test will put those fears to rest as if it reads positive then there is no fear of a miscarriage. If the discharge is tinged with red, fresh blood then you should consult a doctor.
The mucus discharge can also be implantation bleeding which usually occurs in the first trimester of the pregnancy. Implantation bleeding is bleeding that occurs after the embryo has planted itself in the uterus. Another type of common early pregnancy bleeding is the breakthrough bleeding. At certain times during your pregnancy, you bleed like you would during your periods. You will even face physical symptoms of a period like feeling bloated and fatigued. You will, though, not get your period. So if this bleeding increases, it is a cause for worry and you should go and see your doctor.
Infections are also known to happen during the early stages of the pregnancy. They can cause a smelly discharge during pregnancy and you should go to a doctor to get the infection diagnosed. It could be candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis. There are also infections that a pregnant woman can get like trichomoniasis or Chlamydia, both of which are sexually transmitted. Treatment is a must for both the partners.
Sometimes a discharge can occur due to an irritation too. This irritation is caused by a number of things like a reaction to toiletries, wearing tight clothes or swim suits, sweating and even having sex.
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