1. Why do pregnant women have a lot of vaginal discharge?
It is normal to have more vaginal discharge (discharge) during pregnancy. This helps prevent any infections from traveling from the vagina to the uterus. Towards the end of pregnancy, the amount of fluid secreted increases. Normal vaginal discharge is usually odorless or has a mild odor and is usually thin and clear.
Vaginal secretions ebb and flow throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle due to fluctuations in hormone levels. During pregnancy, hormones continue to play a role in changing vaginal secretions.
Changes in the cervix during pregnancy also affect vaginal discharge. As the cervix and vaginal walls soften, the body secretes more fluid to help prevent infection. The baby’s head may also press against the cervix near the end of pregnancy, which often leads to increased vaginal discharge.
However, yellow vaginal discharge is often a symptom of an underlying infection. If left untreated, these infections can affect pregnancy, so pregnant women should see a doctor as soon as possible.
2. Medical conditions when pregnant women have yellow vaginal discharge
Bacterial vaginitis
Too much of a certain type of bacteria in the vagina will lead to imbalance and bacterial vaginosis. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this disease often affects sexually active people.
Although many women have no symptoms, they may experience:
- Vaginal discharge may be yellow.
- Vaginal discomfort.
- Itching in and around the vagina.
- The vagina has an unpleasant odor, especially after sex.
- Burning feeling when urinating.
According to obstetrics and gynecology experts, if a woman is pregnant and has bacterial vaginosis, there is a high risk of premature birth , premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, chorioamnionitis, and low birth weight ( less than 2.2kg), endometritis .
Vaginal candidiasis
Vaginal yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis, is a fungal infection. Pregnancy can disrupt the pH balance of the vagina, making yeast infections common during pregnancy.
If you have a vaginal yeast infection, some symptoms you may experience include a thick odorless discharge that resembles white or yellowish cheese, itching in and around the vagina, and a burning sensation when urinating or having sex. , swelling, redness of the vulva.
A 2015 study found that, although the evidence is incomplete, candidiasis in pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of complications during pregnancy, such as premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, and chorioamnionitis. amnion, congenital cutaneous candidiasis, a rare condition characterized by a skin rash.
If you are pregnant, see your doctor and talk to your doctor about safe alternatives for treating yeast infections. Pregnant women should avoid some antifungal medications such as fluconazole (Diflucan) so as not to affect the fetus.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection that can be cured with antibiotics.
Most people with the disease have no symptoms of chlamydia and do not know that they have it. Symptomatic women may experience:
- Vaginal discharge is atypical, usually yellow in color, and has a strong odor.
- Discomfort when urinating.
- Urinating more often than usual.
- Discomfort during sex.
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen.
According to obstetrics and gynecology experts, untreated chlamydia infection is linked to complications during pregnancy, such as premature rupture of membranes, premature birth, low birth weight, etc.
The infection can also be transmitted during childbirth, easily leading to lung and eye infections.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease that is treated with antibiotics. Drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are increasing, making treatment increasingly difficult.
Although most gonorrhea has no symptoms, people with the disease may experience:
- Increased vaginal discharge, often yellow in color.
- Discomfort when urinating.
- Discomfort during sex.
- Abdominal discomfort.
Untreated gonococcal infection during pregnancy is associated with miscarriage, premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, premature birth, low birth weight, etc. Gonorrhea can also be transmitted through birth. This can lead to eye infection if left untreated.
Trichomoniasis
Infection with the protozoan parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis) causes trichomoniasis – a common sexually transmitted disease.
If you have trichomoniasis, symptoms include:
- Increased vaginal discharge, often yellow in color and with an unpleasant odor.
- Discomfort when urinating.
- Discomfort during sex.
- Redness of genitals.
- Pain and itching in the genitals.
If you have trichomoniasis while pregnant, you are more likely to give birth prematurely and have a low birth weight baby.
