White discharge during pregnancy in third trimester

Here’s the lowdown on pregnancy discharge: Why it happens, what it looks like, how to deal with it and when to get it checked by a doctor.

Pregnancy can be a “juicy” time—and we’re not talking about “is she or isn’t she?” gossip. Some women might notice extra saliva, a runny nose and, yes, more vaginal discharge. “It’s just a normal thing that happens during pregnancy,” says Kerry Harris, a midwife based in Vancouver. This milky-white pregnancy discharge is called leukorrhea and it is usually nothing to worry about. In fact, an increase in discharge is sometimes a clue that you’re pregnant! From there, it tends to increase more toward the end of the third trimester.

What is leukorrhea and what causes it?

Leukorrhea is the medical term for vaginal discharge. During pregnancy, many women find leukorrhea, or discharge, increases. You can thank your hormones: Your body’s increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy boosts blood flow to your pelvic area and stimulates your mucous membranes. The discharge does have a purpose, though. Harris says that it makes the vagina a “self-cleaning system,” helping to prevent infections by flushing away bacteria, keeping the vagina at a normal pH level and getting rid of dead cells.

Is discharge a sign of pregnancy?

After implantation, your body immediately begins to produce pregnancy discharge. However, because discharge fluctuates throughout the course of your cycle, you may not notice these subtle changes. On the other hand, if you’re monitoring your cycle closely and you notice an increase in discharge, it very well may be a sign that you’re pregnant!

What does normal pregnancy discharge look like?

Normal vaginal discharge in pregnancy is thin, milky white and mild-smelling or odourless. “Everyone’s got their normal, and that can increase in pregnancy,” says Harris. “If it changes from normal, that’s a good thing to talk about with your healthcare provider.”

When should I worry about discharge during pregnancy?

Yellow or green discharge

Any discharge that greenish or yellowish, causes vaginal itchiness or pain, smells bad or has a strong odour should be checked by your healthcare provider because it could signal an infection. This can be easily treated once a diagnosis is confirmed by your doctor or midwife.

Thick white clumpy discharge

Thick, cheesy-looking discharge is also a sign of infection. Make sure you get checked out by your health care provider.

Pink or brown discharge

Pinkish or brownish discharge is probably the result of mild bleeding from your cervix being bumped during sex or a vaginal exam. As long as it’s not heavy bleeding, all is probably well, but you can ask your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

Watery discharge

If you have very watery discharge, contact your healthcare provider because it could mean that you are leaking amniotic fluid and need to be monitored.

How to tell if it’s discharge or the mucus plug?

When you’re pregnant, a thick plug of mucus blocks the cervix to stop bacteria from getting into the uterus. Toward the end of the third trimester, this plug may (or may not) move down into your vagina, resulting in more discharge that could be clear or tinged pink or brown if there’s blood in it—sometimes called a “bloody show.”

“All it means is that the cervix is starting to ripen and change and that the mucus that previously filled the cervix now has enough space to fall out,” says Harris.

The mucus plug is thicker or more jelly-like than normal pregnancy discharge, which is thin and milky-white.

How do I deal with discharge during pregnancy?

For most women, pregnancy discharge isn’t cause for concern and is just one of those oh-so-fun side effects of pregnancy. “I used panty liners through pretty much my whole pregnancy,” says Destinee Heikkenen, a mom of a four-month-old baby from Thunder Bay, Ontario. “I was a little surprised because I hadn’t noticed the discharge much with my other three kids, but my midwife assured me that everything was fine.”

Don’t use tampons, douches or vaginal washes or wipes because you don’t want to interfere with the natural balance of bacteria and pH levels in your vagina. If you want to go commando at home to help stay clean and dry, well, that’s a pregnant lady’s prerogative.

Morning sickness, fatigue and those achy, achy feet: You knew pregnancy was going to come with a whole host of common symptoms. But is watery vaginal discharge par for the course too?

You can breathe a sigh of relief, because clear or white watery discharge during pregnancy is completely normal. Not only is it rarely a cause for concern — it’s actually a sign that your body is working hard to keep you and your baby healthy.

Here’s the lowdown on watery discharge during pregnancy and when you need to bring it up with your doctor. 

What is watery discharge during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, your vagina secretes a thin, milky-white discharge called leukorrhea. It’s a lot like the discharge you might have between periods, only heavier.

Leukorrhea usually consists of sloughed-off dead cells and tissue. And the further along into your pregnancy you get, the more watery discharge you'll likely have. 

What does watery discharge during pregnancy mean?

Watery discharge is a completely normal part of pregnancy, and it typically gets heavier as your pregnancy progresses. In fact, very heavy discharge towards the end of your third trimester could indicate that your body is preparing to go into labor.  

When you’re expecting, higher levels of the pregnancy hormone estrogen cause more blood to flow to your pelvic area. That increased blood flow stimulates the body’s mucous membranes, which in turn causes the extra discharge.

But watery discharge during pregnancy is not just a meaningless symptom. 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.  

What does watery discharge look like?

You might feel it in your underwear, but visually, leukorrhea isn’t all that noticeable. It tends have:

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• A thin or mucus-like texture
• A clear or milky-white color
• A mild odor (or no odor at all)

Causes of watery discharge during pregnancy

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

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. Basically, it protects you and your baby and helps keep you both healthy.

Your water broke

Clear fluid isn’t always leukorrhea, however. It could also be amniotic fluid — the liquid that nourishes and safeguards your baby in the amniotic sac. Amniotic fluid looks a little different than leukorrhea, though. It’s watery and straw-colored (like pale urine), instead of whitish and mucus-like in consistency. And it usually trickles out continuously once it starts. 

Are clear watery discharge and white watery discharge normal during pregnancy?

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. It’s fine to wear a panty liner or pad, if you’d like. But steer clear of tampons, since they can introduce unwanted germs into the vagina.

Even if the discharge feels sticky or is bothering you, a daily shower or bath is all you need to keep yourself clean. Avoid douching, since it can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your vagina and up the risk of infection.

Is excessive watery discharge a sign that your water broke or you’re leaking amniotic fluid?

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. 

Thankfully, telling the difference between amniotic fluid and leukorrhea is usually pretty easy. When the discharge is amniotic fluid, it feels like a steady trickle or gush. It also has more of a light yellowish tint than a white one and a thinner consistency than that of leukorrhea.

If you do think you're leaking amniotic fluid prematurely, call your doctor right away to be checked out. And if it seems to be your water breaking close to your due date, also get in touch with your practitioner.

Even 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. Leukorrhea tends to get heavier in the days or hours leading up to labor. And instead of being clear or milky, you might notice that it’s pink or slightly bloody. 

When to call the doctor

Discharge that’s thin, clear or milky is a normal, healthy part of pregnancy. But you should call your doctor if you notice any changes from your usual discharge including: 

• A deep yellow or green color
• A bad smell
• A thick or lumpy consistency
• Burning or irritation, which can be signs of infection 
• 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
• A pale-urine color and consistency, which could mean your water broke or you're leaking amniotic fluid

Watery discharge is a common pregnancy symptom and is rarely cause for concern. So just pay attention to what’s normal for you and watch for any changes. If your discharge starts to look or smell different, or if you suspect that it might be your water breaking, let your doctor know.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. 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. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

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