You'll probably also notice more vaginal discharge as you approach labor, although it's likely to look somewhat different from the flow you've become accustomed to. Discharge that's green, smells unpleasant, causes pain or itching, or seems unusual in any other way could be a sign of infection or another problem.
Also, call your doctor or midwife right away if:. It can be hard to tell when symptoms signal a problem, and even if you don't have common symptoms like irritation, itching, or burning, you could still have a vaginal or sexually transmitted infection. And using them can aggravate an already sensitive area. Instead, see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis and the right treatment.
Typically, no. And it's not one of the early pregnancy symptoms that women commonly report during those first few weeks. If you suspect you might be pregnant, your best bet is to take a pregnancy test around the time you would expect your period. The "mucus plug" is a collection of gelatinous secretions from your cervix. These secretions fill the cervical canal in early pregnancy and create a protective barrier for most of pregnancy.
As you get closer to delivery and your cervix begins to thin out efface and open up dilate , these mucus-like secretions may come out of your vagina. This can be a sign of early labor.
Labor still progresses on its own timeline, and your baby remains well protected. Not everyone experiences losing their mucus plug. If you do, it might seem like an increased amount of vaginal discharge over the course of a few days, or a glob of thickened mucus that's clear, pinkish, brownish, or tinged with a bit of blood.
Regular discharge comes out sporadically in small amounts, but amniotic fluid leaks out continuously once your water breaks. Amniotic fluid is usually clear or slightly yellowish, watery, and odorless or slightly sweet-smelling. When your water breaks, amniotic fluid may come out as a leak or trickle, or in a big, dramatic gush. Either way, it will continue to leak out until you have your baby. If you think it's possible you're leaking amniotic fluid, contact your provider immediately.
It's important to find out if you might be going into labor. If you're less than 34 weeks pregnant and you think your water has broken, call your provider right away.
You may need medications to delay your labor and speed up the development of your baby's lungs and antibiotics to protect against infection. There's not much you can do to stop your body's normal vaginal discharge. You can wear panty liners to absorb discharge if you need to but using them frequently may irritate your vulva.
Using tampons is not recommended during pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding or spotting during pregnancy. Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
But checking every day can help you become familiar with the variations, so try to make it a habit. Note the changes you see in terms of amount, slipperiness, color and consistency it may be a good idea to jot down your observations in a journal. There are several reasons your cervical mucus might vary, some of which are tied to trying to conceive or being pregnant, and some of which are unrelated.
Cervical mucus changes may be caused by:. Give your practitioner a call if you notice a foul, fishy odor or a greenish color in your vaginal discharge, both of which may be signs of an infection or something else going on that needs attention and possible treatment. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.
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If you're trying to conceive or are already pregnant, pay attention to your cervical mucus. This ovulation discharge can clue you in to the best times to try for a baby and plays a key part in your pregnancy. Early on in a pregnancy, you may feel more wetness in your underwear than usual. You may also notice a larger amount of dry whitish-yellow discharge on your underwear at the end of the day or overnight. It helps keep the vaginal tissues healthy by protecting them against irritation and infection, and it also keeps the vagina lubricated.
During your menstrual cycle, you may notice that your cervical mucus changes. One day it may be white and sticky, for example, and the next day it may be clear and watery. These hormonal changes help prepare your body to grow, and they also help protect and nourish the baby. The changes to your hormones can lead to an increase in vaginal discharge as your pregnancy progresses.
This happens naturally, as your body works to prevent vaginal infections, especially during more advanced stages of pregnancy.
Healthy cervical mucus is thin, white or clear, and has a mild odor. While cervical mucus changes throughout your cycle, and also during pregnancy, it should continue to have these qualities. Cervical discharge with any of these traits could be a sign of an infection. A slight increase in cervical mucus is just one of many early signs of pregnancy. Other common, more noticeable early signs of pregnancy include:.
If you carefully track your discharge, it may be possible to track the days when you are most fertile. There are different types of ovulation tests and fertility monitoring kits you can buy.
Some involve taking urine tests to check for hormonal spikes that occur during ovulation. With other kits, you need to take your temperature in order to check where you are in your menstruation cycle. Your body temperature usually drops a little before you ovulate, and then goes up and stays a little higher for a few days.
Purchase ovulation tests and fertility tracking kits online.
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