Thick white discharge at 37 weeks pregnant

Maternity care is still essential during the coronavirus pandemic and services are still running. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy call your GP, midwife, nearest early pregnancy unit or maternity unit.

How much discharge is normal in pregnancy?

Having more vaginal discharge during pregnancy is common. Healthy vaginal discharge is usually thin, clear or milky white and shouldn’t smell bad.

Speak to your midwife or doctor if you are unsure about any increase or change in your vaginal discharge.

Infection

Call your midwife if you have vaginal discharge and:

• it smells bad
• is green, brown or yellow
• you feel itchy or sore around your vagina
• you have pain when you wee.

This may mean you have an infection that needs to be treated.

Vaginal bleeding

If you have any vaginal bleeding at any time during your pregnancy contact your midwife. You could also contact your GP you’re only a few weeks pregnant. Any sign of blood, which may be red (like if you cut your finger) or dark brown (like old blood) needs to be checked straight away.

Read more about bleeding in pregnancy.

Is it discharge or my waters breaking?

More discharge can be common in pregnancy but you will need to call your maternity unit and get checked urgently if:

• your discharge is watery
• your discharge changes
• you’re bleeding
• your baby is moving less than usual
• your waters are green, brown or contain blood.

Leaking or gushing clear or pinkish liquid before 37 weeks.

This may mean that your waters have broken early (preterm prelabour rupture of membranes - PPROM).

If this happens you and your baby are at risk of infection. You may also go into labour and deliver your baby early.

Phone your maternity unit immediately.

Read more about premature birth.

Leaking or gushing clear or pinkish fluid after 37 weeks

This may mean that your waters have broken and that you may be about to go into labour. Call the maternity unit and tell them what has happened. You may not need to go to the hospital straight away but they will write down what time your waters broke and tell you what to do next.

Read more about waters breaking after 37 weeks.

Discharge. Not exactly the most pleasant word or idea to ever cross your mind, but it’s actually a useful way for your body to communicate with you as you approach your delivery date. It’s very important that you use panty liners rather than tampons to absorb the fluid, since tampons could cause Toxic Shock Syndrome or tears that lead to infection. The flow shouldn’t be very heavy until you go into labor, but here are some interpretations if your discharge is:

Whitish and mild-smelling

Standard leukorrhea, which is a fancy word for vaginal discharge. This is just a collection of normal secretions from the cervix and vagina, which you experience year-round. It is heavier during pregnancy due to an increase in estrogen and blood flow to the vagina.

Clear and odorless

This could be a sign that your amniotic fluid is leaking, which is a very serious concern since it is the supportive environment for your baby’s development. It’s important that you get into contact with your healthcare provider immediately if you think your amniotic sac has ruptured. The odorless nature of this discharge differentiates it from urine, with which it is commonly confused.

Heavy before week 37

This may be a sign of premature labor, so you should look out for other signs and symptoms, and consult your provider if concerned, or if the discharged is accompanied by other signs of premature labor, including cramps, back ache, or contractions, or if the discharge is blood-tinged.

Thick, clear, and bloody

This is probably part of your mucus plug, which is essentially a stopper for the opening of your cervix, and is one of the first indicators that you are going into labor.

A sudden rush of colorless, odorless fluid

Your water broke! You’ll probably be ready for this after frequent contractions, but only about 8% of women actually experience this before contractions start. If this happens, call your healthcare provider to check in and figure out your next step, which your healthcare provider will determine based on how far along you are.

Itching or burning

You should call your healthcare provider right away, as this could be a sign of infection.

So, yes, vaginal discharge is not the most pleasant thing in the world, but it is perfectly natural and you can keep it under control by making sure you’re clean and dry down there. Wear cotton underwear and comfortable pants. As tempting as it may be to make it smell better, it’s a good idea to stay away from sprays, scented panty liners, or other feminine hygiene products when pregnant.

Read more

• Bloody showing/passing of the mucus plug when pregnant
• White vaginal discharge when pregnant

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Fetal development: The third trimester.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 7/11/2014. Web.
• Susan Scott Ricci, Terri Kyle. Maternity and Pediatric Nursing. pp 337-339. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009. Web. 

Does thick white discharge mean labor is near?

What does thick white discharge mean at 37 weeks pregnant?

Is white discharge signs of labour?

Can mucus plug be milky white?