Yellowdischarge during pregnancyisn’t always cause for concern.
Yellow discharge is particularly concerning if paired with an unpleasant odor, pain, or itching.
It is intended to be informative, but not a replacement for the advice of a medical professional.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
What Is Normal Discharge During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy it’s common to have an increase in vaginal discharge, known asleukorrhea.
Normal vaginal discharge is typically odorless or has a mild smell and is often thin and clear.
It may turn white or yellow after it’s exposed to air.
Discharge may increase in volume throughout the pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester.
However, the amount and what it looks like can vary from person to person.
Using a panty liner can protect your clothes.
They’re more common during pregnancy because of changing levels of hormones.
Your body naturally grows a certain amount of the yeast fungus.
It’s an important part of your gynecological ecosystem.
When you have too much of it, it causes a yeast infection.
That can throw your vaginal environment out of balance.
You’re also at risk for future yeast infections if you had them before.
Although a yeast infection can cause discomfort, it doesn’t pose a risk to your pregnancy.
This is very rare.
A single 150 milligram (mg) dose of Diflucan is considered safe for your child.
It may sometimes cause a yellow discharge during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis
BV can be asymptomatic (not cause any symptoms).
If you do have symptoms, they may include:
How Can BV Affect My Pregnancy?
It’s a common infection, especially among young people ages 1524.
It’s a possible cause of yellow discharge during pregnancy.
Gonorrhea typically is treated with an injection of antibiotics.
It’s becoming harder to treat, though, because drug-resistant strains are on the rise.
you might pass gonorrhea to your baby during childbirth.
Chlamydia
Chlamydiais a common STI that primarily affects people ages 15 to 24.
Symptoms of Chlamydia
Symptoms of chlamydia include:
How Can Chlamydia Affect My Pregnancy?
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasisis a vaginal infection resulting from the sexually transmitted parasiteTrichomonas vaginalis.
How Can Trichomoniasis Affect My Pregnancy?
If it’s urine, you should notice more of a urine smell on the pad over time.
An amniotic fluid leak increases the risk of infection and requires prompt care to protect you and your baby.
If you are at least 37 weeks, it could be a sign that labor is about to begin.
Your healthcare provider will want to monitor you to see to it you are progressing into labor.
You will be monitored closely at a hospital and tests may be done to check on the lung development.
If the lungs have grown, induction may be recommended.
Summary
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is very common and can increase as the pregnancy progresses.
Many infections are treatable during pregnancy.
Untreated, they can cause health concerns for both you and your baby.
MedlinePlus.Vaginal itching and dischargeadult and adolescent.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Bacterial vaginosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.
National Eye Institute.Pink eye in newborns.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What infections can affect pregnancy?
2022;51(6):1201-1209. doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i6.9652
MedlinePlus.Premature rupture of membranes.
