Why yellow discharge during pregnancy?

Yellow vaginal discharge could be a sign of an infection. If you're pregnant and have yellow vaginal discharge, make an appointment to see your doctor. Your healthcare provider will likely collect a sample of your urine or swab the discharge from your cervix for laboratory testing.

Given the potential seriousness of both of these issues, it's important to see your healthcare provider right away. They will perform a physical exam and take a sample of the discharge, as well as urine, to be tested.

The sooner you learn why you're experiencing this, the sooner you can get the appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of possible complications.

This article looks at the possible causes of yellow discharge during pregnancy, as well as what type of discharge is considered normal. It is intended to be informative, but not a replacement for the advice of a medical professional.

During pregnancy it's common to have an increase in vaginal discharge, known as leukorrhea. Normal vaginal discharge is typically odorless or has a mild smell and is often thin and clear. It may turn white or yellow after it's exposed to air.

Discharge may increase in volume throughout the pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester. However, the amount and what it looks like can vary from person to person. Using a panty liner can protect your clothes.

Yellow discharge during pregnancy can sometimes be a sign of infection, particularly if there's a foul smell or itching. Infections, when left untreated, may put a pregnancy at risk of miscarriage. It's important to see your healthcare provider to check for infections or other issues if you notice yellow discharge.

Vaginal yeast infections (vulvovaginal candidiasis or vaginal candidiasis) are pretty common in people with female reproductive organs. They're more common during pregnancy because of changing levels of hormones.

Your body naturally grows a certain amount of the yeast fungus. It's an important part of your gynecological ecosystem. When you have too much of it, it causes a yeast infection.

If you're taking broad-spectrum antibiotics for another ailment, you're at higher risk of yeast infections since antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria as well as harmful ones. That can throw your vaginal environment out of balance.

You're also at-risk for future yeast infections if you had them before.

Yeast infection symptoms include:

Although a yeast infection can cause discomfort, it doesn't pose a risk to your pregnancy. You can safely use an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal cream or suppository, like Monistat, or a low dose of the anti-fungal pill called Diflucan (fluconazole) for an occasional yeast infection.

If you have recurring or treatment-resistant yeast infections while you're expecting, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that high-dose Diflucan (fluconazole) during the first trimester can put your baby at risk of birth defects. This is very rare.

A single 150 milligram (mg) dose of Diflucan is considered safe for your child.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by the overgrowth of bacteria. It may sometimes cause a yellow discharge during pregnancy.

BV can be asymptomatic (not cause any symptoms). If you do have symptoms, they may include:

BV can increase the risk of:

Gonorrhea is an STI that can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It's a common infection, especially among young people ages 15–24. It's a possible cause of yellow discharge during pregnancy.

Gonorrhea typically is treated with an injection of antibiotics. It's becoming harder to treat, though, because drug-resistant strains are on the rise.

Because of that, it's important to let your healthcare provider know if you still have symptoms a few days after treatment.

Symptoms can include some of the following:

You can pass gonorrhea to your baby during childbirth. The infection also increases the risk of:

If the infection is passed during delivery and isn't treated, it could cause an eye infection in your newborn.

Chlamydia is a common STI that primarily affects people ages 15–24. If left untreated, it can cause reproductive challenges, ectopic pregnancy (fertilized egg implanting and growing outside the womb), and infertility.

Symptoms of chlamydia include:

Chlamydia during pregnancy can put you at risk of:

Newborns who are exposed to chlamydia during delivery can develop eye and lung infections.

Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection caused by the sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

Although most people report no symptoms from trichnomoniasis, you may have:

If you have a greenish-yellow discharge during pregnancy, see your healthcare provider right away.

Trichomoniasis infection in pregnancy can increase the risk of:

On rare occasions, a newborn girl can acquire the infection during delivery and may have vaginal discharge.

Amniotic fluid is a clear and slightly yellow liquid that surrounds and cushions the fetus in the amniotic sac.

Membranes, or tissue, hold the fluid in the sac and usually don't rupture until you're in labor or within 24 hours of the start of labor. If you notice a yellowish fluid that either gushes or continuously trickles, it could be a sign that the membrane has ruptured.

If you have a sudden gush of fluid, that's often a clear sign of a membrane rupture. However, if there is a small leak that releases fluid slowly, it can be harder to tell the difference between leaking amniotic fluid, urine, or vaginal discharge.

Symptoms of an amniotic fluid leak can include:

The main difference between urine and amniotic fluid is that urine will have a stronger smell. If you notice watery fluid and are unclear if it might be urine or amniotic fluid, put on a pad. If it's urine, you should notice more of a urine smell on the pad over time.

Regardless of where you are in the pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect that you may be leaking amniotic fluid. An amniotic fluid leak increases the risk of infection and requires prompt care to protect you and your baby.

If you are at least 37 weeks, it could be a sign that labor is about to begin. Your healthcare provider will want to monitor you to make sure you are progressing into labor. The longer it takes for labor to start, the greater the risk for infection, so your healthcare provider may want to induce labor through medications within hours.

If you are leaking amniotic fluid before 37 weeks, it is considered a pre-term premature rupture of membranes and can be more serious.

If you are between 34 and 37 weeks, your healthcare provider may recommend induction for early labor due to the risk of infection.

If it's before 34 weeks, your healthcare provider may consider putting you on bed rest if there aren't any signs of infection. They may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection and also steroids to help the fetal lungs develop more quickly. You will be monitored closely at a hospital and tests may be done to check on lung development. If the lungs have grown, induction may be recommended.

Yellow discharge can have different consistencies or smells, depending on what part of your menstrual cycle you’re in and whether the discharge is a sign of an infection.

Here are some of the possible causes for yellow discharge:

Main characteristics: watery or pale yellow discharge

Watery yellow discharge is most common right before your period. This is because your vagina is producing more mucus. The yellowish tint can come from small amounts of menstrual blood mixing with normal white discharge.

Very pale, yellow discharge is also common and usually normal, especially right before your period. It’s only a cause for concern if the discharge is also an abnormal texture or smells bad.

Main characteristics: brownish-yellow discharge

Brownish-yellow discharge is most common right after your period. The color comes from menstrual blood. If you have a short cycle, you may notice brownish-yellow discharge before your period, too.

Women undergoing menopause might also notice brownish-yellow discharge as a result of hormonal changes.

Main characteristics: foul-smelling, yellow discharge

Discharge is usually odorless or has a very slight odor. Foul-smelling odor, which is often fishy-smelling, is a sign of an infection.

Main characteristics: frothy, yellow or greenish discharge; may have a fishy odor

Frothy, yellow discharge may be a sign of trichomoniasis, a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Trichomoniasis is more likely than other STIs to lead to symptoms.

Discharge from trichomoniasis is greenish or yellowish, and fishy-smelling. Genital itching and pain while urinating or having sex are also symptoms of trichomoniasis.

Main characteristics: yellow, pus-like discharge

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are STIs that are often asymptomatic, but can cause discharge. Discharge from gonorrhea or chlamydia will be yellow and pus-like.

Main characteristics: yellow or green discharge with a strong odor

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection usually caused when untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia spreads through the reproductive system. It can cause damage to your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries if not treated.

Discharge from PID is yellow or green, and has a strong odor. Other symptoms include:

Main characteristics: yellowish or grayish white discharge with fishy odor

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection that occurs when the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina changes. The cause is unknown, but it’s been linked to:

Discharge from bacterial vaginosis will have a fishy smell and may be grayish-white or yellowish-white.

Main characteristics: yellowish, pus-like discharge with an unpleasant odor; discharge may also be green or brown

Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix. It’s caused by an STI, overgrowth of bacteria, or an allergy (such as to latex). It’s often asymptomatic, but can cause large amounts of yellowish, pus-like discharge with a bad smell. Discharge might also be green or brown.

Other symptoms include:

Yellow discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of infections, like a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis or chlamydia. It can also occur with elimination of the mucus plug, or with leaking amniotic fluid.

This type of discharge can emerge with other symptoms, like a foul odor, genital itching or pain or burning with urination. You should follow up with your obstetrician if you notice these symptoms to avoid complications in your pregnancy.

If you have yellow discharge during pregnancy, you are advised to see your obstetrician to identify a cause an inidicate appropriate treatment. Treatment will vary based on the underlying cause.

The most common causes of yellow discharge during pregnancy are:

A yeast infection is a vaginal infection caused by Candida albicans fungus. This fungus is naturally found in the vagina, but excess amounts can cause a white, cottage cheese-like discharge which can also be yellow tinged. A yeast infection can also cause symptoms like intense genital itching, redness, vulva swelling and burning with urination.

This type of infection is very common during pregnancy, as the normal hormonal changes that occur can cause imbalances in the vaginal flora, leading to fungal growth. Learn more about what causes a yeast infection and symptoms that can happen.

Although it does not affect the baby’s development in-utero, a yeast infection should be treated prior to delivery, so that the baby does not catch an oral fungal infection (also known as thrush).

What to do: You should see a doctor to start treatment, which can involve the use of topical or oral antifungals.

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection caused by the overgrowth of bacteria that are naturally found in the vagina (mostly Gardnerella sp. bacteria). It causes intense itching, burning or discomfort when urinating, a foul fishy smell which worsens with sex, and a thin yellow discharge that could also be white or gray in color. Read about other symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and what can cause this infection.

If BV is left untreated in pregnancy, it can increase the risk for spontaneous miscarriage, premature labor, membrane rupture, endometritis, chorioamnionitis and low birth weight. It is also associated with a higher risk of STI transmission.

What to do: You should see your obstetrician to confirm a diagnosis and start treatment as necessary, which can involve the use of antibiotics that are safe for pregnancy, like metronidazole or clindamycin.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It causes symptoms like yellow pus-like discharge, pain and burning with urination, pain and bleeding during sex and pelvic pain.

Chlaymdia during pregnancy can lead to premature birth, membrane rupture or low birth weight. It can be passed from the mother to the baby during delivery if the mother has an active infection during pregnancy. This can lead to complications in the baby, like pneumonia or conjunctivitis.

What to do: You should follow treatment as prescribed by your obstetrician. Treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline. Learn more about how chlamydia is treated.

Gonorrhea is also a sexually transmitted infection, however it is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It causes symptoms like a yellow discharge, pain or burning when urinating, urinary incontinence, vaginal itching or bleeding.

Gonorrhea during pregnancy can lead to complications like spontaneous miscarriage, membrane rupture, premature labor, amniotic fluid infection or low birth weight.

In addition, gonorrhea can be transmitted to the baby during a vaginal delivery if it is left untreated. This can lead to neonatal conjunctivitis in the baby, blindness or a generalized infection.

What to do: you are advised to see your obstetrician as quickly as possible to start treatment, which involves the use of antibiotics like penicillin, ofloxocin, or ciprofloxacin.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. It can occur in pregnancy following unprotected sex with someone who is infected. This infection causes symptoms like yellow or green discharge with a foul odor, redness, vaginal pain or itching, pain with urination, discomfort during sex, or the presence of scant vaginal bleeding.

Trichomoniasis during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature labor or low birth weight, therefore it should be treated as quickly as possible.

What to do: You should consult your obstetrician to confirm a diagnosis and start treatment with an antibiotic like metronidazole. This antibiotic is usually taken for 3 to 7 days.

Yellow discharge can also be a sign of leaking amniotic fluid. However, amniotic fluid tends to have a more transparent, watery consistency that is either odorless or slightly sweet. It can leak in small quantities, like drips, or in large amounts.

Leaking can happen during the first or second trimesters as a result of a vaginal infection, fetal membrane inflammation, drug or cigarette use, poor nutrition, or a short cervix. All of these can lead to premature rupture of the membranes, which should always be assessed by a gynecologist to avoid complications like miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth.

In addition, leaking that occurs after 37 weeks that is accompanied by other symptoms like regular contractions that increase in intensity and do not improve with repositioning my be a sign of labor.

What to do: You should proceed to the hospital as soon as possible if you suspect you are leaking amniotic fluid. The doctors will assess you and verify whether you have started to labor. Check-out more tips on how to recognize leaking amniotic fluid and when to go to the hospital.

The mucus plug is a substance produced by the body in the first months of pregnancy. Its main function is to prevent bacteria and other microorganisms from entering the uterus and impeding the development of the baby and the pregnancy. A mucus plug can be eliminated in pieces, and looks like a thin, white odorless discharge. However, it can also appear yellow, red or brown in color.

Seeing parts of your mucus plug can be normal during pregnancy, but at the end of pregnancy, it may be a sign that the body is about to start to labor. Labor can start within hours, days or weeks of mucus plug elimination. Regardless, you should report any changes to discharge to your obstetrician.

Normal pregnancy discharge tends to be clear or milky white. So if you notice that your discharge is yellow, it could signal that something is up.

Here’s what you need to know, plus whether your symptoms warrant a call to your health care provider.

When you’re pregnant, you produce leukorrhea — a harmless vaginal discharge caused by an increase in estrogen levels. Leukorrhea is thin, clear or milky white, and mild-smelling, and it’s normal for the amount to increase as your pregnancy progresses.

Yellow discharge is vaginal discharge that's either darker yellow and thick or lumpy, or pale yellow and watery.

Darker yellow discharge could stem from an infection like bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection, especially if the discharge is thick, smells bad or comes with itching or burning.

Watery, pale yellow discharge could potentially be amniotic fluid — the liquid that nourishes and safeguards your baby in the amniotic sac.

Yellow discharge that could potentially signal an infection is typically a darker or deeper shade of yellow with a thick or lumpy texture and a bad smell. You may also experience itching or burning. Discharge that's greenish or grayish could also be a sign of infection.

What if you suspect the yellowish discharge is amniotic fluid? It’s usually easy to tell the difference. Unlike actual yellow discharge, amniotic fluid is very thin and clear or pale yellow in color — like urine. And it’s usually odorless or slightly sweet-smelling.

A few things can cause yellow discharge during pregnancy, including:

During pregnancy, it's always worth paying attention to any discharge that seems different from your usual.

If the discharge is a sign of a vaginal infection, it could potentially lead to pregnancy complications, so it’s a good idea to contact your doctor. But don’t worry too much. Most of these kinds of infections during pregnancy resolve easily with treatments like creams or oral medications.

If the discharge is pale yellow and watery like urine, your water may have broken. If you’re within a few weeks of your due date, get ready! You’ll likely meet your baby soon. If your due date is further off though, you could be leaking amniotic fluid prematurely. Regardless of when you're due, you should contact your doctor if you suspect your water has broken.

You should call your doctor anytime you have discharge that looks, smells or feels significantly different than typical leukorrhea.

Whether the discharge is darker yellow, lumpy and foul-smelling (suggesting a possible infection) or pale yellow and watery with a sweet or nonexistent smell (like amniotic fluid), it's a good idea to get checked out by your provider.