How much discharge is normal during third trimester

The longer it takes for labor to start after your water breaks — if it hasn't started already — the greater you or your baby's risk of developing an infection. Your health care provider might stimulate uterine contractions before labor begins on its own labor induction.

During the last few months of pregnancy, you might experience occasional, sometimes painful, contractions — a sensation that your uterus is tightening and relaxing.

These are called Braxton Hicks contractions. To tell the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and the real thing, consider these questions:. Remember, no one knows for sure what triggers labor, and every woman's experience is unique.

Sometimes it's hard to tell when labor begins. Don't hesitate to call your health care provider if you're confused about whether you're in labor. Preterm labor can be especially sneaky. If you have any signs of labor before 37 weeks — especially if you also experience vaginal spotting — consult your health care provider.

If you arrive at the hospital in false labor, don't feel embarrassed or frustrated. Think of it as a practice run. The real thing is likely on its way. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. During pregnancy the cervix neck of the womb and vaginal walls get softer and discharge increases to help prevent any infections travelling up from the vagina to the womb. Increased levels of the hormones progesterone can also make you produce more fluid.

The amount of discharge may increase throughout the pregnancy. Towards the end, there may be so much you confuse it with urine. In the last week or so of pregnancy, your discharge may contain streaks of thick mucus and some blood. This is called a 'show' and happens when the mucus that has been present in your cervix during pregnancy comes away. It's a sign that the body is starting to prepare for birth , and you may have a few small 'shows' in the days before you go into labour.

You should tell your midwife or doctor if your vaginal discharge increases a lot in later pregnancy. If you have any vaginal bleeding in pregnancy, you should contact your midwife or doctor urgently, as it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem such as a miscarriage or a problem with the placenta. If the discharge is coloured or smells strange, or if you feel itchy or sore, you may have a vaginal infection such as thrush , which your doctor can treat easily, or bacterial vaginosis.

Do not try to treat it yourself — always talk to your doctor, pharmacist or midwife if you think you have an infection. You can help prevent thrush by wearing loose cotton underwear, and some women find it helps to avoid perfumed soap or perfumed bath products. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Thrush or Candidiasis is a common vaginal infection, caused by an overgrowth of yeasts and is not considered to be a sexually transmitted infection. Read more on SA Health website. For women who have a regular menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Return to Giving Birth with Confidence. Normal Discharge Generally, throughout pregnancy, it's normal to have daily, thin, milky vaginal discharge -- enough that you notice it in your underwear. Not Normal Discharge The general rule of thumb with pregnancy discharge is that if it smells bad, if it is any other color other than clear or white, or if it causes pain, burning, or itching, there could be a problem and you should call your midwife or doctor.

Discharge Color White or clear: Normal. Discharge Consistency Creamy, milky: Normal. Frothy: Not normal -- call your midwife or doctor. What About the Mucus Plug? Dealing With the Discharge While you can't get rid of pregnancy discharge it's actually a necessary and helpful side effect of pregnancy , there are ways to help alleviate the annoyance factor.

How do you deal with pregnancy discharge? What tips would you share? Theme picker. Contact author Message sent. Name: Please enter your name. Please enter your name. Email: Please enter a valid email address. STIs sometimes do not cause any symptoms.

These complications sometimes do not present until years after the birth, but they can affect the nervous system and development of the child and cause infertility in the woman. People may occasionally think that they have yellow discharge when they are merely leaking small amounts of urine. Gray vaginal discharge may indicate a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis BV , particularly if it also has a fishy smell that becomes stronger following intercourse.

BV is the result of a bacterial imbalance in the vagina. Douching and having multiple sexual partners are risk factors for BV, which is the most common vaginal infection during childbearing years. Discharge is usually brown due to old blood leaving the body, which can be an early symptom of pregnancy.

Brown discharge during pregnancy is not generally a cause for concern. Pink discharge during pregnancy may or may not be normal. Discharge with a pink hue often occurs during early pregnancy or in the final weeks as the body prepares for labor. It can also occur before a miscarriage or during an ectopic pregnancy. A study with 4, participants found that spotting and light episodes of bleeding during the first trimester, especially those persisting for just 1 to 2 days, did not correspond with a higher risk of miscarriage.

Other causes of light spotting during pregnancy include sexual intercourse and vaginal infections. Red vaginal discharge during pregnancy requires the immediate attention of a doctor, especially if the bleeding is heavy, contains clots, or occurs alongside cramping and abdominal pain. These symptoms suggest miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, which people may also refer to as pregnancy loss.

Other causes of red discharge may be less serious, especially during the first trimester, when it may result from implantation or infection.