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Green Discharge During Pregnancy: Infections Incoming?

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Green Discharge During Pregnancy: Infections Incoming?

Pregnant mom, seems like your vagina can’t contain its excitement of you being pregnant! After all, it has been expelling discharge. Lots of it, perhaps! Everything is normal until your discharge during pregnancy changes colour - especially to green.

The sight of green discharge during pregnancy can be worrisome. It is typically a sign of infection. In some cases, it could also affect your pregnancy. To help you understand the matter at hand better, we’ve decoded the causes of green discharge while being pregnant, ways to avoid it and when to seek medical help.

Is It Normal to Experience Green Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy?

Be it during early pregnancy or if you’ve reached your third trimester, green discharge during pregnancy isn’t normal. One might notice white, milky or clear vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Now that’s normal! Spotting green discharge while pregnant needs to be notified to the doctor immediately. In many cases, it is a sign of infection which may or may not be an obstacle in your otherwise healthy pregnancy.

What Does Green Discharge During Pregnancy Mean

What Does Green Discharge During Pregnancy Mean?

Experiencing green or light green discharge during pregnancy with odour or no odour isn’t common. Mainly it signifies infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to be precise. Here are the most common STIs causing green vaginal discharge during pregnancy:

1. Gonorrhoea


Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection commonly affecting young adults. It affects moist areas of the body. This includes the vagina, cervix, urethra, fallopian tubes, throat or eyes.

How does it affect your pregnancy?


If it isn’t treated, it can cause some serious issues in your pregnancy. This includes miscarriage, premature water breaking or low birth weight. Your baby can contract it too, leading to joint or blood infection, or blindness. Thus, treating green discharge during pregnancy is quite important.

Symptoms


Many people with gonorrhoea are asymptomatic. However, few tend to experience the following symptoms:

  • Green vaginal discharge during pregnancy
  • Pungent vaginal smell
  • Burning or itching around vagina
  • Discomfort while urinating

Treatment


Your doctor is likely to prescribe two medications that would help subside your symptoms. Post medications, if your symptoms continue to show up, make sure to go for a check-up again.

2. Chlamydia


If you are pregnant, and experience green vaginal discharge, this condition could be causing it. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that spreads through sexual contact. It’s highly important to get screened for this condition during your first prenatal visit. This will keep complications away from your happy and healthy pregnancy.

How does it affect your pregnancy?


When chlamydia isn’t treated in time, it can lead to preterm labour, new-born pneumonia or conjunctivitis.

Symptoms


Just like gonorrhoea, chlamydia causes zero symptoms. However, a few people may experience:

  • Green vaginal discharge
  • Pain while having intercourse
  • Bleeding after intercourse
  • Itching or burning around vagina
  • Smelly discharge

Treatment


Your doctor would prescribe you a dose of antibiotics which would easily clear up this infection.

3. Trichomoniasis


Popularly known as ‘trich’, trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a parasite. Sometimes, it can leave you with a foul-smelling vagina, itching or painful urination.

How does it affect your pregnancy?


Trichomoniasis can lead to preterm delivery or low birth weight. There’s a possibility that your little one can also contract it, if not treated soon.

Symptoms


Joining the asymptomatic clan, trichomoniasis too leaves no traces in your body. However, there are cases where women have experienced:

  • Abnormal discharge which is yellowish or green
  • Foul smelling discharge
  • Painful intercourse or urination

Treatment


Just like other STIs, trichomoniasis is treated with antibiotics. It’s seen that this infection tends to come back so it's best to get tested again in the next three months.

Things To Do To Avoid Green Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy

Things To Do To Avoid Green Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy

While your doctor helps you treat the cause behind your green discharge including light green discharge during pregnancy which has no odour or smells funky, here are some things you can do at your end to prevent it.

1. Wear breathable underwear -


A cotton underwear is your safest bet. They help in absorbing sweat and keeping things dry.

2. Maintain good hygiene -


Things can be moist down there. Improper hygiene can create a breeding ground in your vagina for bacteria-causing infections.

3. Avoid douching -


Douching can hamper the pH levels of your vagina. This can disturb the well-being of the vagina’s bacteria, leading to different kinds of vaginal discharge.

4. Use pantyliners -


Pantyliners are the best solution for managing vaginal discharge. Try the ALWAYS Comfort Protect Pantyliners which are designed for a flexible and comfortable fit. It has odour-neutralising technology that keeps you feeling fresh and confident. It is dermatologically tested to be gentle on delicate skin.

When To See A Doctor

When To See A Doctor

As soon as you notice green discharge during pregnancy, you must consult a doctor. He will get the required examinations done. If needed, he will be able to give the right treatment at the earliest.

Apart from green discharge during pregnancy, here are some other scenarios under which you should head to your doctor’s clinic:

  1. Change in your vaginal discharge -colour or smell
  2. Pain while urinating
  3. Pain in the pelvic or abdomen region

Takeaway

Green discharge during pregnancy shouldn’t be ignored. We’ve learned that it is a potential indicator of infection. One that could invite complications in your pregnancy. Thus, speaking to a doctor and treating the infection is of utmost importance. Don’t feel embarrassed or hesitant to discuss more about your vaginal discharge. All green discharge-causing infections can be treated. So, worry not! In no time, you will go back to enjoying your pregnancy!

Now keep a track of your ovulation period with Aways Fertile Days Calculator.

FAQs

1. Why is my discharge light green during pregnancy and has no odour?

Green or light green discharge during pregnancy with no odour is typically a sign of sexually transmitted infection. These infections include chlamydia, trichomoniasis or gonorrhoea. Consulting a doctor and treating these infections at the earliest is quite important. When left untreated, these can cause complications in your pregnancy.

2. Is green discharge normal in the third trimester of my pregnancy?

Be it early pregnancy or the third trimester, green discharge during pregnancy isn’t normal. It needs medical attention as it could be a by-product of an infection. As for hygienic purposes, using pantyliners like ALWAYS Multiform Protect Pantyliners or ALWAYS Extra Protect Pantyliners is the best option. These keep you fresh, dry and confident every day!

3. Can green discharge during pregnancy hurt my baby?

Yes! If your green discharge during pregnancy is linked to STIs which aren't treated on time, it can hurt your baby. In some cases, it can cause joint infection,pneumonia, conjunctivitis, or blindness.

Disclaimer:

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