Pregnancy Discharge: What Is Normal and What Is Not

Medically reviewed content. Last updated: April 2026.

Vaginal discharge changes during pregnancy, and more of it is completely normal. But knowing the difference between healthy discharge and something that needs medical attention can save you unnecessary worry or help you spot a problem early. This guide explains what to expect and when to contact your midwife.

Is increased discharge normal in pregnancy?

Yes. Almost all pregnant people notice an increase in vaginal discharge, and this is one of the earliest and most persistent changes of pregnancy. The medical term for normal vaginal discharge is leucorrhoea.

Higher levels of oestrogen increase blood flow to the pelvic area and stimulate the mucous membranes, producing more discharge. This discharge serves an important purpose: it helps prevent infections from travelling up from the vagina to the uterus and protects your baby.

What does normal pregnancy discharge look like?

Healthy pregnancy discharge is typically:

• White or clear. It may have a slight milky appearance.
• Thin or slightly thick. The consistency can vary throughout the day and across your pregnancy.
• Mild-smelling or odourless. A slight, non-unpleasant smell is normal.
• Not accompanied by itching, burning, or soreness.

The amount tends to increase as pregnancy progresses and may become noticeably heavier in the third trimester. Some people find they need to use panty liners for comfort, which is perfectly fine. Avoid tampons during pregnancy, as they can introduce bacteria.

When should you be concerned?

Contact your midwife or GP if your discharge:

Changes colour

• Yellow or green discharge. This may indicate an infection, particularly if it is thick, lumpy, or has an unpleasant smell.
• Grey discharge with a fishy smell. This is a common sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is easily treated with antibiotics.
• Brown or blood-tinged discharge. Light spotting can be normal (especially after sex or a cervical examination), but persistent or heavy brown or red discharge needs assessment.

Changes consistency or smell

• Thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge with itching. This is likely thrush (vaginal candidiasis), which is very common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes. It is treated with pessaries or cream (your midwife or pharmacist can advise on pregnancy-safe options).
• Frothy, yellow-green discharge with a strong smell. This may suggest trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection that requires treatment.
• Strong, unpleasant, or fishy odour. Any significant change in smell warrants a check.

Is accompanied by other symptoms

• Itching, burning, or soreness around the vagina
• Pain when weeing
• Pain during sex
• Pelvic pain or lower abdominal pain
• A fever or feeling generally unwell

What about a "show"?

In late pregnancy (from around 37 weeks, though sometimes earlier), you may notice a blob of thick, jelly-like mucus, sometimes tinged with pink or brown blood. This is the mucus plug that has sealed your cervix during pregnancy, and it coming away (called a "show") is a sign that your body is preparing for labour.

A show on its own does not mean labour is imminent, as it can happen days or even weeks before contractions start. You do not need to contact your midwife unless it is accompanied by regular contractions, heavy bleeding, or your waters breaking.

If you lose your mucus plug before 37 weeks, contact your midwife, as this could be a sign of preterm labour.

What about watery discharge in late pregnancy?

A sudden gush or a steady trickle of clear, watery fluid may be your waters breaking (rupture of membranes). Amniotic fluid is usually clear and odourless, though it can be slightly pink. It may feel different from urine because you cannot control it.

If you think your waters have broken:

• Note the time, the colour, and the amount
• Put on a clean pad so you can show your midwife
• Contact your maternity unit for advice

If the fluid is green, brown, or has a foul smell, go to hospital immediately, as this may indicate meconium (your baby's first bowel movement) in the amniotic fluid, which needs prompt assessment.

Common infections that affect discharge in pregnancy

Thrush (vaginal candidiasis)

Thrush is very common during pregnancy because hormonal changes alter the vaginal environment. Symptoms include thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, itching, soreness, and sometimes stinging when you wee.

Treatment during pregnancy involves antifungal pessaries or cream (such as clotrimazole). Oral fluconazole tablets are not recommended during pregnancy. Wearing cotton underwear, avoiding perfumed products near the vagina, and using water-based rather than soap-based cleansers can help prevent recurrence.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

BV occurs when the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted. The main symptom is a thin, grey or white discharge with a strong fishy smell. BV does not usually cause itching.

BV in pregnancy is worth treating because it has been associated with a slightly increased risk of preterm birth and late pregnancy loss. It is treated with antibiotics (metronidazole), which are safe during pregnancy.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS)

GBS is a bacterium carried by around 20 to 30% of adults in the UK, usually without symptoms. It can be found in the vagina and does not typically cause abnormal discharge. However, if detected during pregnancy, your care team will offer intravenous antibiotics during labour to reduce the risk of passing it to your baby.

How to keep things healthy

• Wash the vulval area with water or a mild, unperfumed wash. Avoid soap, shower gel, and douching inside the vagina
• Wear cotton underwear and avoid very tight clothing
• Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
• Change panty liners regularly if you use them
• Do not use vaginal deodorants, perfumed wipes, or scented panty liners
• Attend routine midwife appointments where urine tests can detect infections early

Key takeaways

• Increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy is normal and serves a protective function
• Healthy discharge is white or clear, mild-smelling, and not accompanied by itching or pain
• Yellow, green, grey, or foul-smelling discharge may indicate an infection and should be checked
• Thrush and bacterial vaginosis are both common and treatable during pregnancy
• A jelly-like mucus plug (show) in late pregnancy is a normal sign of your body preparing for labour
• A sudden gush or steady trickle of clear fluid may be your waters breaking, contact your maternity unit
• Keep the vulval area clean with water, avoid perfumed products, and wear cotton underwear

Sources

• NHS. Vaginal discharge in pregnancy. nhs.uk
• NHS. Thrush in pregnancy. nhs.uk
• NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary. Bacterial vaginosis. 2023
• RCOG. Group B Streptococcus in pregnancy and newborn babies. Patient information. 2023
• NHS. Premature labour and birth. nhs.uk