It’s common to have more vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Spotting (light bleeding) can also happen in the early stages. Find out why it happens and what to be aware of.
Is it normal to have more vaginal discharge in pregnancy?
Vaginal discharge is a fluid or mucus that keeps the vagina clean and moist and prevents infection. It gets heavier during pregnancy as it helps to stop bacteria going up to the womb from the vagina (NHS, 2024 b).
During the last few days of pregnancy, there may be more mucus with small streaks of blood in it, making it pink (NHS, 2024 b). This is called the mucus plug or may be referred to as ‘having a show.’
What does vaginal discharge in pregnancy look like?
It is clear or milky white, and doesn’t normally smell (NHS, 2024 b).
Contact the midwife is any of the below are noticed as they may be a sign of infection (NHS, 2024):
- The discharge has an unpleasant smell
- It becomes yellow or green
- The vaginal area feels itchy or sore
- There is pain when weeing
What’s the difference between normal pregnancy discharge and a yeast infection?
Yeast infections, which are also known as thrush, are common during pregnancy and are easily treated. Thrush makes vaginal discharge thick, white and like cottage cheese (NHS, 2023). It can also cause itching in the vagina (the internal genital area) and the vulva (the area outside the vagina) and pain when having a wee (NHS, 2023).
Thrush isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but can be passed on by sex (NHS, 2023).
How to reduce the chances of thrush (NICE, 2023):
- Wash the vulva with either a gentle emollient (a special moisturising cream) and water, or just water, rather than soap or shower gel
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes like underwear or trousers which can irritate the area
- Don’t put yoghurt or essential oils on the vulva
- Avoid vaginal douching (when water is flushed up the vagina to ‘wash’ it)
What is bacterial vaginosis?
An imbalance of bacteria in the vagina can cause bacterial vaginosis, or BV. It is common during pregnancy, but if untreated it may lead to complications such as premature labour (Patient, 2023; Shimaoka et al, 2019). Because of this, it’s recommended to see a doctor if there is (Patient, 2023):
- Discharge that is white or grey, watery and with a strong ‘fishy’ smell
- Itching, burning or irritation in the vaginal area
Bacterial vaginosis is caused when the balance of the bacteria in the vagina changes. A bacteria called lactobacilli normally lives in the vagina, keeping it healthy. But sometimes other colonies of bacteria can overgrow, causing bacterial vaginosis (Patient, 2023).
Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial vaginosis, and the most effective is metronidazole. This can be given in tablets to take by mouth, or in a gel or cream to put on the vagina (NICE, 2023; Patient, 2023; Shimaoka et al, 2019).
The same steps to reduce the chances of thrush, as well as not smoking, can help prevent bacterial vaginosis (NICE, 2023).
Spotting in pregnancy
In the early days of pregnancy, there might be some light bleeding when the developing embryo, or embryos implant into the wall of the womb. This is called ‘spotting’ and usually happens around the time the period is due (HSE, 2024; NHS, 2024 a).
The amount of blood lost is small, only a few spots. It can be pink, red or brown. The bleeding will usually only last one or two days (HSE, 2024).
In most cases, spotting is harmless. However, occasionally it can be a sign of something more serious – see box below (HSE, 2024).
Causes of bleeding in early pregnancy
Bleeding in pregnancy can be normal, but the pregnant woman or person should always let the midwife or doctor know (NHS, 2024 a).
Changes to the cervix during pregnancy may cause bleeding, particularly after sex (NHS, 2024 a).
Go to A&E or call the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service urgently if there is (RCOG, 2025):
- Heavy bleeding
- Severe pain in the tummy
- Pain in the shoulder
- Dizziness or fainting
Or if the pregnant woman or person feels very unwell (HSE, 2024).
An ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, may cause bleeding (NHS, 2024).
During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, bleeding may also be a sign of miscarriage (NHS, 2024 a).
Causes of bleeding in late pregnancy
Later in pregnancy, bleeding can be caused by cervical changes or an infection.
Bleeding may also be caused by (NHS, 2024 a):
- Placental abruption, when the placenta starts to come away from the womb wall
- Placenta praevia, where the placenta is attached to the lower part of the womb
- Vasa praevia, where the baby’s blood vessels run through the membranes covering the cervix
The pregnant woman or person should contact the midwife or doctor urgently if there is any bleeding during pregnancy (NHS, 2024 a). Medical staff may want to perform (NHS, 2024 a):
- A pelvic or vaginal examination
- An ultrasound scan
- Blood tests to check hormone levels
If the baby is not due for a while, the pregnant woman or person may need to be monitored. In some cases, they may need to be looked after in hospital (NHS, 2024).
HSE (2024) Spotting during early pregnancy https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/spotting/
NHS (2023) Thrush in men and women https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
NHS (2024 a) Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/common-symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/
NHS (2024 b) Vaginal discharge in pregnancy https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/common-symptoms/vaginal-discharge/
NICE (2023) Candida – female genital https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/candida-female-genital/management/during…
RCOG (2025) Bleeding and/or pain in early pregnancy
https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/b…;
