Understanding Brown Discharge Or Bleeding During Pregnancy

You need not bat an eyelid if you experience vaginal discharge during your pregnancy. It is extremely normal. However, some women may be thrown off due to the colour and type of vaginal discharge. Brown discharge during pregnancy is rather common. There are times when brown discharge could mean graver problems; in such cases, you will need to consult a doctor. Read on to learn about what to do if you have brown discharge while pregnant.

Knowing the reasons behind having brown discharge during pregnancy will help you identify if you need medical attentions. Here are some of the possible causes that have been segregated in different stages of pregnancy.

Early pregnancy

Through the entire pregnancy

Later stages of pregnancy

Experiencing brown discharge while pregnant can be concerning, but it is important to note that it is rather common. The discharge often contains old blood, making it appear brown. This discharge is the result of numerous bodily changes and is often deemed harmless. You need to be able to differentiate between the types of brown discharge to take proper action if something is amiss.

Brown discharge while pregnant is quite common and often due to minor cervical irritation or hormonal fluctuations. It often signifies the presence of a small amount of older blood mixing with normal vaginal fluids. On the contrary, dark brown discharge signifies older blood that has taken longer to exit the uterus. In the early stages of pregnancy, this is normal. However, it is best to be vigilant of symptoms like severe cramping or heavy bleeding, so that a doctor can intervene in a timely fashion.

The texture of brown discharge can vary when it comes to both thick and watery types. Both are quite possible during a pregnancy. If you experience brown discharge during pregnancy, you need not worry, as it is normal. However, if you experience thick brown discharge and it is coupled with pelvic pain, a burning sensation while urinating, then it could be a sign of an infection, ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. 

If you ever catch yourself wondering, ‘Does brown discharge mean pregnancy or any other condition?’, it is prudent to seek out medical advice, if other symptoms are present. Reach out to a doctor to reaffirm if the discharge is a normal brown discharge a pregnancy sign or something else.

We understand that any kind of spotting in the early stages of pregnancy is bound to leave you worried. But you must know that spotting and having brown discharge in early pregnancy is normal. However, irrespective of everything, it is always recommended to report the issue to your doctor. Some causes for brown discharge in early pregnancy are mentioned below.

During pregnancy, there are a host of changes that your body goes through in a short span of time. This includes hormonal fluctuations that can sometimes cause an increase in blood flow to the reproductive system. This makes the cervix super sensitive and irritant and may cause some bleeding, thereby leading to brown discharge.

A common occurrence, this happens when a fertilised egg attaches or implants itself onto the inner lining of your uterus. Most women confuse this for their period as they are yet not aware that they are pregnant. It may cause discharge that is anywhere between pinkish to brown in colour as it gets rid of all the old blood. This is one of the very first signs indicating pregnancy and not all women go through it.

A rare reason but an important one that requires immediate medical attention is ectopic pregnancy. This happens when the fertilised egg attached itself outside the main cavity of the uterus, for instance on the fallopian tube. Vaginal bleeding and pain are some of its symptoms.

Pregnancy also causes an increased blood flow to the cervix, and this can at times cause the growth of polyps. These cervical polyps may bleed due to irritants or other activities such as sexual play or pelvic exams that may irritate the cervix and lead to brown discharge.

In some cases, brown discharge could also be a sign of loss of pregnancy or a miscarriage. It would start as brown discharge, which would then progress to fresh blood accompanied by cramps and pain. If you are experiencing similar symptoms or suspect that you’re having a miscarriage, seek medical help immediately.

Intercourse can cause brown discharge. If you have vigorous intercourse, it can lead to brown discharge or spotting. As daunting as it may be, you need not worry.

Mostly brown discharge during third trimester means labour is approaching, or that there’s some issues. Here are some:

A couple days or some hours before labour, some women experience the ‘bloody show’, which is a term used to describe discharge that ranges from pinkish to brown or red hues.

If you experience spotting or bleeding before the 37th week, accompanied by any other symptoms such as backache, stomach cramps, regular contractions, pressure in the pelvis or water breaking, it is considered as preterm labour.

Brown discharge during pregnancy is considered extremely normal and generally not a cause for immediate concern. This type of discharge consists of old blood that has taken some time to exit the body, giving it a brown hue as opposed to red. In early pregnancy, hormonal changes coupled with increased sensitivity of the cervix can cause a brown discharge or spotting when you are pregnant. For a multitude of women, brown discharge can be a normal part of their pregnancy journey. However, it is imperative that you stay alert if the discharge brings with it other symptoms. It is better to consult a healthcare professional than risk your and your baby’s health

In most cases, experiencing little brown discharge without any other symptoms, is normal and isn’t a cause for concern. However, if you notice any others signs, such as the ones mentioned below, you need to call your doctor.

• Uterine spasms or contractions

• Pain or cramps

• Fever

We understand it may be disturbing if you suddenly notice brown discharge during your pregnancy, at any given stage. So, here are some quick guidelines of sorts to help you navigate through the situation.

1. Don’t panic, know that in most cases a little blood-tinged discharge is completely normal.
2. Think of any possible reasons why you could have this discharge like a pelvic exam or some sexual play.
3. Are you nearing the end of your term? It could be the mucus plug in such a case, which means labour is near.
4. In such cases, using a panty liner to manage the discharge is recommended. ALWAYS has a brilliant range of panty liners and the ALWAYS Extra Protect Panty Liners is ideal to manage vaginal discharge as they are formulated with an absorbing zone and odour neutralising technology. They also offer extra coverage with upto 12 hours of protection.

It is important to keep your doctor informed of any unusual occurrences as they are the best people to guide you and inform you whether it’s something to be concerned about or not. Now keep a track of your ovulation period with Always Safe Days Calculator.