signs of leaking amniotic fluid vs discharge

A pinkish or brownish color or streaks of blood, which could be a sign of labor later in pregnancy or a sign of implantation bleeding early on.Burning or irritation, which can be signs of infection.But you should call your doctor if you notice any changes from your usual discharge including: When to call the doctorĭischarge that’s thin, clear or milky is a normal, healthy part of pregnancy. And instead of being clear or milky, you might notice that it’s pink or slightly bloody. Leukorrhea tends to get heavier in the days or hours leading up to labor. And if it seems to be your water breaking close to your due date, also get in touch with your practitioner.Įven if your water doesn’t break (and for most women, it doesn’t!), changes to your discharge could indicate that labor isn’t far off. If you do think you're leaking amniotic fluid prematurely, call your doctor right away to be checked out. It also has more of a light yellowish tint than a white one and a thinner consistency than that of leukorrhea. When the discharge is amniotic fluid, it feels like a steady trickle or gush. Thankfully, telling the difference between amniotic fluid and leukorrhea is usually pretty easy. If it turns out to be amniotic fluid, excessive watery discharge can be a sign that your water broke or you're leaking amniotic fluid during your pregnancy. Is excessive watery discharge a sign that your water broke or you’re leaking amniotic fluid? Avoid douching, since it can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your vagina and up the risk of infection. But steer clear of tampons, since they can introduce unwanted germs into the vagina.Įven if the discharge feels sticky or is bothering you, a daily shower or bath is all you need to keep yourself clean. It’s fine to wear a panty liner or pad, if you’d like. Yes, both clear watery discharge and white watery discharge are totally normal, and will likely get heavier as you get farther along in your pregnancy. Are clear watery discharge and white watery discharge normal during pregnancy? And it usually trickles out continuously once it starts. It’s watery and straw-colored (like pale urine), instead of whitish and mucus-like in consistency.

Amniotic fluid looks a little different than leukorrhea, though. It could also be amniotic fluid - the liquid that nourishes and safeguards your baby in the amniotic sac. Your water brokeĬlear fluid isn’t always leukorrhea, however. Basically, it protects you and your baby and helps keep you both healthy. Leukorrhea is your body's way of clearing dead cells out of the birth canal to promote optimal bacteria levels and keep infections at bay. So why exactly does watery discharge make an increasingly noticeable appearance when you're pregnant? There are two main reasons it could be happening, depending on where you are in your pregnancy: Your body is responding to pregnancy-related changes It tends to have:Ĭauses of watery discharge during pregnancy

You might feel it in your underwear, but visually, leukorrhea isn’t all that noticeable. Leukorrhea clears out dead cells in the vagina, which helps maintain healthy bacteria in the birth canal and protect you and your baby from infection. That increased blood flow stimulates the body’s mucous membranes, which in turn causes the extra discharge.īut watery discharge during pregnancy is not just a meaningless symptom. When you’re expecting, higher levels of the pregnancy hormone estrogen cause more blood to flow to your pelvic area. In fact, very heavy discharge towards the end of your third trimester could indicate that your body is preparing to go into labor. Watery discharge is a completely normal part of pregnancy, and it typically gets heavier as your pregnancy progresses. What does watery discharge during pregnancy mean?

And the further along into your pregnancy you get, the more watery discharge you'll likely have. Leukorrhea usually consists of sloughed-off dead cells and tissue. It’s a lot like the discharge you might have between periods, only heavier. What is watery discharge during pregnancy?ĭuring pregnancy, your vagina secretes a thin, milky-white discharge called leukorrhea. Here’s the lowdown on watery discharge during pregnancy and when you need to bring it up with your doctor.

Signs of leaking amniotic fluid vs discharge