Vaginal discharge during pregnancy - what it means and why it occurs

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is a rare pathology that occurs for various reasons. This may be the result of complications or serious illnesses. However, this is not always the case.

Small spots of blood on a woman's underwear are normal in early pregnancy. Blood is also released when a fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus. If bleeding persists and continues throughout pregnancy, this is a pathology. You should immediately call your doctor or call an ambulance if severe bleeding is detected, combined with headache, dizziness, weakness, or low blood pressure.

What causes bleeding in early pregnancy?

Causes of bleeding in early pregnancy that do not threaten the health of the woman and child:

• implantation (the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus in the first 6-12 days after conception);
• sexual contact.

More serious causes of vaginal bleeding:

• ectopic pregnancy (a case when, after fertilization, the implantation of an egg does not occur in the wall of the uterus, as usual, but in the fallopian tube, ovaries or abdominal cavity; the growing fetus over time tears a structure that is not intended to stretch, and life-threatening bleeding occurs - this is emergency situation requiring immediate medical attention);
• miscarriage (spontaneous termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks; a woman may not even know about her pregnancy - at first she thinks that due to stress or other factors she has a normal delay, and then there are slightly heavier periods and severe pain)
• molar pregnancy or hydatidiform mole. In this case, the development of the embryo stops in the early stages, but the structures that were supposed to connect the embryo and the uterus remain; The chorion - the embryonic part of the placenta - turns into numerous bubbles with liquid and continues to grow, filling the uterine cavity and penetrating into its tissues.

In the second half of the second trimester, bleeding is caused by the following conditions and diseases:

• placental abruption (premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall after the fifth month of pregnancy);
• placenta previa (the placenta lies in the lower parts of the uterus, covering the cervix);
• placenta accreta (deeper penetration of the placenta into the tissue of the uterus, which, when separated, causes massive bleeding);
• premature birth (birth that begins between 22 and 37 weeks of pregnancy).

Bleeding may be just one sign of premature birth. Vaginal discharge, pressure in the lower abdomen and pelvic area, dull pain in the back, cramps, contractions of the uterus and broken water - all this indicates labor that has begun prematurely.

Any of the above pathologies in the later stages is a reason for careful observation by a doctor. Each case is examined and managed individually by a gynecologist.

What symptoms require immediate medical attention?

It must be remembered that at the initial stage of bearing a baby, the same secretion is produced as before - the discharge is transparent, white or yellow. If a woman notices any sudden change in their character, it is worth informing the doctor about it. The faster help is provided, the more favorable the prognosis. A woman should not make compresses, drink pills or decoctions on her own - this will lead to unpredictable consequences.

Urgent help will be needed in the following situations:

• discharge of bright scarlet blood;
• heavy bleeding;
• release of blood clots;
• strong pain;
• cold sweat;
• loss of consciousness;
• convulsions;
• pain in the abdomen and lower back.

When bleeding, you can only use pads. While waiting for the doctors to arrive, the woman should lie down and elevate her legs. It is better not to use medications, so as not to “lubricate” the symptoms.

How will the doctor determine the cause of my bleeding?

Vaginal bleeding, spasms and pain are a reason for additional examinations. First of all, the gynecologist who is managing the pregnancy will prescribe an ultrasound examination, blood and urine tests.

If the cause of ongoing bleeding is not a serious pathology, then the doctor will limit himself to the following recommendations:

• rest;
• bed rest;
• ban on having sex.

For more serious causes of vaginal bleeding, hospitalization and further diagnostics will be required.

Your doctor will want to know the answers to the following questions:

• Have you had any bleeding during this or a previous pregnancy?
• When did the bleeding start?
• Is the bleeding heavy or is it blood spots?
• Does the bleeding start and stop or go on and on?
• Approximately how much blood was lost?
• What color is the blood (bright red or dark brown)?
• Is there any discharge along with blood?
• Does blood have a smell?
• Any cramping or pain?
• Are you feeling weak, tired or dizzy?
• Have you had vomiting, nausea or diarrhea?
• Has your temperature risen?
• Have you had any recent injuries (such as a fall or car accident)?
• What was your last physical activity?
• Was there any additional stress?
• When was the last time you had sexual intercourse? Was there any blood after sex?
• Do you have a bleeding disorder? (women with bleeding disorders are at risk of complications during and after pregnancy - iron deficiency anemia, postpartum hemorrhage and bleeding during childbirth; before planning a pregnancy, a woman with bleeding disorders should consult a doctor, in addition, you can undergo special genetic testing, so how this pathology is often inherited).
• What is your blood type and Rh? (if a woman has a Rh-negative blood type, additional treatment with Rho (D) immunoglobulin will be required. This prevents complications in future pregnancies).

Vaginal bleeding is usually blood without clots. If clots are released along with the blood, they must be collected in a separate container and then shown to the attending physician.

An additional test will be to determine the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This is a specific pregnancy hormone that rapidly increases every two days after conception. During an ectopic pregnancy, hCG is greatly reduced, which may alert the doctor. Then he will send the patient for further examinations.

Prevention

Prevention measures are simple and consist of stabilizing and maintaining a calm state:

• good nutrition;
• moderate exercise, if there are no contraindications;
• walk more in the fresh air;
• to refuse from bad habits;
• eliminate stress;
• avoid heavy physical work and stress;
• Visit your doctor in a timely manner and follow the recommendations.

It is useful to do gymnastics and special exercises for pregnant women. But sometimes heuristics can be prohibited by high activity; more often this applies to women with a threat of miscarriage, they are prescribed bed rest.

Throughout pregnancy, it is necessary to carefully monitor your well-being and discharge, and if bleeding begins, you should immediately consult a doctor.

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What improves pregnancy?

In order for the pregnancy to develop normally, the child in the womb to grow strong and healthy, you should follow some tips:

• limiting smoking and drinking alcohol by the mother herself and people living next to her;
• prohibition of drug use;
• ban on the use of tampons, they can cause infectious-toxic shock.

It is worth talking to your doctor about additional medications that have a beneficial effect on pregnancy. Folic acid is usually prescribed. However, both low and high folate status can trigger the development of complications. Therefore, the use of this drug should be strictly under the supervision of the attending physician.

Lifestyle of an expectant mother

Over the next few months, the pregnant woman needs to take care not only of the baby, but also of herself. After all, the expectant mother should provide conditions for the birth of a strong and healthy child and maintain her own health. Therefore, you should adjust some aspects of your life.

Nutritional features.

For those who consider a pregnant woman’s diet to be something special and requiring a serious investment of time and money, there is good news. In fact, such a menu is no different from a regular healthy diet. You should limit fried, smoked, spicy foods, alcohol in your diet, and also minimize the consumption of sweets and baked goods. In return, you need to introduce as many fresh vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs into your diet, give preference to lean meat and fish, and do not forget about fermented milk products and whole grain porridges and bread. When cooking, it is recommended to use stewing, boiling and steaming.

Taking vitamins.

It is best to take vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain pregnancy and the proper development of the baby before conception. This way the body will prepare as fully as possible for bearing a child. But during pregnancy, vitamins and minerals are no less important. Which ones should be taken will be advised by the doctor who is involved in pregnancy management.

What can I do to prevent miscarriage?

A woman cannot stop a miscarriage on her own. The main thing is to calm down and call a doctor. The doctor will prescribe the necessary tests, which will tell you about the cause of the miscarriage and the possibility of continuing the pregnancy.

Very rarely, the cause of miscarriage is the mother's wrong actions. The main thing that future parents should do when planning a pregnancy is to undergo a medical genetic examination to find out genetic compatibility. There you can also obtain information about the risk of a genetic disease in a child, if one occurred in the family of one or both parents.

What external changes occur to the mother?

As a rule, in the fifth week of pregnancy, the body is still reluctant to give up its “secret”; the woman’s outwardly interesting position is not very noticeable, even in the photo. But you should still be prepared for some changes that may accompany a woman from the first weeks.

Belly in the fifth week of pregnancy.

The size of the fetus is still too small for the uterus and abdomen to expand. Therefore, at this stage, the figure of the expectant mother retains the same proportions as before pregnancy. But progesterone, which is responsible for the onset and maintenance of pregnancy, can cause a slight protrusion of the abdomen. This is due to the fact that this hormone slows down intestinal motility, as a result of which gases can accumulate in it. But a small nutritional correction and exclusion from the menu of foods that cause flatulence can quickly return intestinal function to normal.

Breasts in the fifth week of pregnancy.

By this time, in some women, the mammary glands may increase by 1–2 sizes. And this is the only external change that is observed in the fifth week. But women whose breasts have retained their previous size also note some changes indicating that the body is already preparing to feed the baby. This is an increase in the sensitivity of the mammary glands, enlargement and darkening of the areolas, engorgement of the nipples.

Do I need treatment?

Treatment may be needed if there is severe blood loss. In such cases, intravenous infusion of blood plasma or red blood cells is performed.

In case of infectious diseases or hormonal imbalances, special etiotropic therapy will be required, which directly affects the cause of bleeding. Serious pathologies, such as ectopic pregnancy, require surgical intervention.

If the cause of vaginal bleeding is not serious, then the doctor may limit himself to general recommendations for maintaining and improving the course of pregnancy.

White color of discharge

White milk-colored discharge (leucorrhoea), with a consistency reminiscent of sour cream, indicates intensive production of hormones - estrogen or progesterone. If conception is expected, they may indicate that it has occurred. If the white discharge does not cause discomfort and is not too abundant, this is normal.

The pathology is considered to be accompanied by leucorrhoea with itching in the vagina and pain in the abdomen. If the leucorrhoea becomes thicker and cheesier and acquires a sour smell, then most likely your immunity has decreased sharply, which is the cause of thrush. Most often, this condition goes away on its own. But if thrush causes serious discomfort, it is better to consult a gynecologist, and he will prescribe treatment for this fungal infection. In the third trimester, it is necessary to treat thrush in any case, since during childbirth the baby may become infected.