Pregnancy Discharge Smell

When a woman is pregnant, her life can change in a number of ways. Among them are morning sickness, back pain and nausea, headaches and vaginal discharge.

What does pregnancy discharge smell like?

When you are pregnant, your body produces more mucus to keep it protected for the baby. This helps prevent infections that might travel up from your vagina to your uterus, which could harm your baby.

While this is normal, a pregnancy discharge smell that comes with itching, burning or an unusual redness or texture can signal a yeast infection or other health issue. Those should be treated with medications, but it is possible to avoid them by making simple changes in lifestyle.

Different types of discharge

Thin, clear and milky-white vaginal discharge throughout your pregnancy is generally healthy and odorless. However, thicker and lumpy discharge that resembles cottage cheese could be a sign of a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

Blood-tinged mucus discharge may also be normal in early pregnancy and before labor starts. The discharge might contain streaks of sticky, jelly-like pink mucus that is a sign that the body is preparing for labour to begin.

In the last week or so of pregnancy, the amount of discharge increases. It might contain a fishy odor.

There are several reasons for a vaginal odor during pregnancy, including altered pH balance, sweat, infections, hormonal and dietary changes, and even just wearing synthetic underwear that doesn’t breathe well. But the good news is that your OBGYN and prenatal care provider are familiar with this symptom, so don’t feel embarrassed to talk about it.