Brown Discharge During Pregnancy: Should I See A Doctor? (2023)

Brown Discharge during Pregnancy Causes Treatment Call the Doctor

Being pregnant is one of the beautiful journeys for a woman in her life. It not only changes her mentally but physically also. If you have gone through this journey then, you must be familiar with the increased vaginal discharge during the period of pregnancy. On the other hand, if you are a new expecting mother, then this article will be very helpful for you.

Lots of women have a misconception in their mind that the brown discharge during the pregnancy is not normal, but that’s not totally true. The normality of the discharge completely depends on its appearance as well as color.

It’s quite obvious that when an expectant mom sees a brown discharge, she gets panic and scared. The main reason behind such thinking could be the color of the discharge almost resembles the old blood. But all this is very common in the pregnant women.

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However, if you see any severe changes in the pregnancy discharge, then you should not take it lightly as it might be a sign of certain serious disorders. In the below article, we will tell you more about the causes and methods which will easily help you to deal with the vaginal discharge during pregnancy. But going into the further detail, let’s know what exactly this brown discharge is.

Introduction

Well! A brown discharge during the pregnancy does not mean that anything is wrong with you and your baby. The vaginal discharge in pregnant women might be due to certain irritation in the body inner part.

During the pregnancy, the amount of blood in the women gets increase and moves in the direction of the cervix. This makes the area nearby the cervix more sensitive. So, if you any internal checkup during the pregnancy then, this can also result in some brown discharge orspotting.

The vaginal discharge looks like an old blood (brown color) and if you notice that it has become more than the brown color (like red color), then it is always advisable to visit a doctor nearby.

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What does Brown Discharge During Pregnancy mean?

Well! A brown discharge during the pregnancy does not mean that anything is wrong with you and your baby. The vaginal discharge in pregnant women might be due to certain irritation in the body inner part.

(Video) Is Brown Discharge or Spotting common during Pregnancy? - Dr. Kavitha Kovi

During the pregnancy, the amount of blood in the women gets increase and moves in the direction of the cervix. This makes the area nearby the cervix more sensitive. So, if you any internal checkup during the pregnancy then, this can also result in some brown discharge or spotting.

The vaginal discharge looks like an old blood (brown color) and if you notice that it has become more than the brown color (like red color), then it is always advisable to visit a doctor nearby.

Read:15 Reasons for Spotting during Pregnancy

8 Must Know Causes for Brown Discharge during Pregnancy?

The pregnancy discharge is a very common thing which happens in the pregnant women but there might be some other important causes behind it, such as:

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Sign of labor pain

If the brown discharge happens in the last weeks of the pregnancy, then it can be the indication of the forthcoming labor pains.

Implantation bleeding

The early discharge during pregnancy happens in the starting first weeks which might be because of the implantation bleeding in women embryo.

Sexual intercourse during pregnancy

In the pregnancy, the cervix of the women becomes very sensitive and soft which get easily affected by any irritation. So, if a couple gets involved in any sexual intercourse during this time, it can cause the brown discharge with some minor pain.

Read More:7 Safe Sex Positions During Pregnancy

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(Video) Pregnancy Discharge | Is Discharge During Pregnancy NORMAL🤔

Missed abortion

Dissimilar to the miscarriage or unplanned abortion, in the case of missed abortion the fetus inside the women womb stops developing or the baby might pass away inside her uterus. In such cases also, the brown discharge can happen.

Read More:11 Tips to Prevent Miscarriage

Miscarriage

Sometimes the vaginal discharge during pregnancy after the early few weeks can also be the sign of a miscarriage. The color of the discharge could be brown but the only doctor can confirm the reason behind the discharge.

Molar pregnancy

In the molar pregnancy, there is abnormal development of the fleshy tissue instead of the fetus inside the women uterus. Some people take it as pregnancy mistakenly. In this case, also, the chances of occurrence of the brown discharge are also high. But, if this problem is not detected on time medically, then it can lead to the life-threatening cancer disease.

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Cervical polyp

On some occasions, a small and drawn-out tumor develops nearby the cervical passage which is identified as a cervical polyp. In this condition also, the brown discharge occurs frequently.

Ectopic pregnancy

When the pregnancy in the women occurs inside the fallopian tube in place of the uterus, then it is known as the ectopic pregnancy. It can lead to the brown discharge due to the internal hemorrhage.

Read More:Ultimate Guide for Ectopic Surgery and Recovery Time

5 Remedies for reducing the Brown Discharge during pregnancy

There are lots of reasons behind the vaginal discharge when you are pregnant. But, what is the main reason behind such thing can also be determined by your doctor. As soon as the root cause is discovered, the doctor will start the treatment.

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On the other hand, there are some important ways through which you can cope up with your discharge during pregnancy. These ways are harmless for you as well as your unborn baby:

(Video) What causes brown discharge instead of periods? - Dr. Teena S Thomas

Reduce your physical workload

You must abridge your physical activity to some extent. We know that doctors generally recommend to the pregnant women to stay active, but if you are experiencing any issue of brown discharge then, avoidance of few physical activities can be very beneficial.

You must remain away from all kinds of physical activities i.e. whether laborious or light. Try to take more rest during that time and skip the work which is not urgent.

Take full Rest

One of the easiest ways to reduce the brown discharge or the vaginal discharge during the pregnancy period is to take complete rest and lie on your bed whenever possible. The housewife ladies who stay at home must have rest frequently during the day time and should also try to take regular sleep throughout the whole day.

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But if you are working women, then it will be good if you can give your body a break by taking some time off from your work in-between.

Do not lift any heavy Weight

You must not lift any item which is heavyweight during the time of pregnancy. If you do so then, that can lead to the early discharge during pregnancy. But, still, it will be valuable if you avoid lifting any heavy items.

Keep Your Feet Up

When you have a baby in your womb, then it means you are carrying the weight of two people together over your feet. Thus, if you give more rest to your feet, it will be very soothing for you only. You may either do your work by sitting on the bed or you can simply put your legs on another chair with the feet up.

Always try to keep your feet up whenever you are sitting during the day time. A soft cushion or pillow can also be placed below the feet for more comfort and relaxation. All this helps in better blood circulation in the body but also reduces the quantity of brown discharge during the pregnancy.

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Read:15 Must Know Pregnancy Pillow Benefits

15 Best Pregnancy Pillows Every Pregnant Woman Should Have

Keep the Genitals Dry & Hygienic

The genital area during the time of the pregnancy must be kept dry and clean if you are facing any type of the vaginal discharge. It also reduces the risk of infection at that time. You must not only keep the vaginal area clean but also the surrounding area also. During the cleaning process, only the other area should be the wash and not the inner part of the genitals.

(Video) Causes of spotting and brown discharge with back pain in early 20s - Dr. Sangeeta Gomes

The doctors always recommend using non-scented and non-perfumed soap along with the water for cleaning the private parts. So, you must follow this recommendation strictly in your case also.

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Brown Discharge During Pregnancy: When to see a doctor?

Despite the fact that brown discharge is a harmless thing in pregnant women but on the other hand, it might be a signal of a certain serious matter. Thus, it becomes very important to assess the appearance, quantity, as well as odor of the pregnancy discharge. If anything seems to be abnormal, then medical attention should be pursued.

If you are pregnant and feeling the below signs, then you should look up to your doctor immediately:

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  • Although in a woman, it is very normal to have a mild brown discharge because of implantation bleeding, but if the discharge is in ample quantity then you must consult your doctor or a health professional instantaneously. The discharge which can be easily managed in your innerwear is acceptable but if you need a sanitary pad then that is alarming.
  • After having a sexual intercourse, if the brown discharge persists lengthier than a week, or if you think that virginal discharge is irritating or possess a bad smell, then consulting the doctor immediately will be advisable. Such discharge could be the sign of any type of infection sometimes.
  • At the time of brown discharge, if you are feeling any pain in the stomach or some lumps or tissue are getting out during the brown discharge, then it means you need a medical attention straight away as this can be a missed abortion that requires a fast uterine clearing.
  • You should call your doctor if the brown discharge is accompanied by some mild abdominal pains, foul odor, or any watery thing.
  • In a pregnant woman, if the brown discharge occurs along with fever and chillness, then this can be a sign of some serious infections of uterus or kidney. Thus, it must be communicated to the doctor rapidly.
  • The symptoms like dizziness, severe pain, and abdominal cramps along with the brown discharge could be a signal of ectopic development in the womb of a pregnant mother. This can be harmful to the life of a mother and most of the times, the doctor terminate such pregnancy immediately to save the mother.

Final word!

You are soon going to be a happy mother with a baby in your hand. But until that time, you should keep all the contact details of your doctor on your phone. By staying in touch with the elder people or friends (experienced mothers) is also very helpful.

On a maximum number of occasions, the brown discharge during the pregnancy is normal without any concerns. The vaginal discharge can suddenly begin or get stopped. So, don’t panic and always discuss such type of issues with your doctor.

We hope that the above article will help you in solving your query. However, if you still have any question in your mind, then you can simply write to us, we will be very happy to answer.

Enjoy the ride of becoming the mother! All the best!

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(Video) Brown Discharge During Pregnancy | Cloudnine Hospitals

FAQs

Brown Discharge During Pregnancy: Should I See A Doctor? ›

“You should always consult your doctor if you notice brown discharge or bleeding during pregnancy,” advised Dr. Namrita Gurpal Singh Sandhu.

Should I call my doctor if I have brown discharge while pregnant? ›

A brown discharge in early pregnancy may be due to spotting, which is not unusual at this stage. Later, it can be a sign that labor will start soon. It is best to speak with a doctor if there is a brown, pink, or bloody discharge at any time during pregnancy.

When should I be worried about brown discharge during pregnancy? ›

While brown discharge is usually nothing to worry about, it's worth mentioning to your healthcare provider. Call your provider right away if you have: Any bleeding or spotting (bright red or brown) Any vaginal discharge with a strong odor, or that's green or yellow and frothy.

When should I go to the doctor for brown discharge? ›

In most cases, brown discharge is nothing to be concerned about. However, brown discharge can indicate a possible health issue if it's accompanied by other symptoms, such as vaginal itching, pain, a strong odor, or changes to your menstrual cycle.

What should I do if I have brown discharge during pregnancy? ›

Brown discharge is almost always normal, but in rare cases can signal a miscarriage Opens a new window or other complications. If your brown discharge becomes bright-red bleeding, you experience cramping or have other new symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

Do miscarriages start with brown blood? ›

The most common sign of miscarriage is vaginal bleeding.

This can vary from light spotting or brownish discharge to heavy bleeding and bright-red blood or clots. The bleeding may come and go over several days.

Why am I leaking brown discharge pregnant? ›

Brown. Discharge is usually brown due to old blood leaving the body, which can be an early symptom of pregnancy. Brown discharge during pregnancy is not generally a cause for concern. However, pregnant women who experience dark brown discharge should contact their doctor.

Can you have brown discharge without miscarriage? ›

Bleeding – light bleeding early in pregnancy is fairly common, and does not mean you will have a miscarriage. Brown discharge: This may look like coffee grounds. This “discharge” is actually old blood that has been in the uterus for a while and is just coming out slowly.

What color discharge is alarming during pregnancy? ›

It's important to let your healthcare provider know about any abnormal discharge, as it could be a sign of an infection or a problem with your pregnancy. Here are some signs of abnormal discharge: yellow, green, or gray color. strong and foul odor.

How long is brown discharge normal in early pregnancy? ›

However, bleeding is common during the first three months (12 weeks) of pregnancy and may or may not be a sign of a problem. It can range from slight brown spotting, to bright red bleeding, may last from a day to weeks and may be accompanied by mild cramping or low backache.

How long is too long for brown discharge? ›

Some women experience brown discharge for a day or two after their period ends. Others have brown discharge that comes and goes for a week or two. It really just depends on how well your uterus sheds its lining and the speed at which it exits your body. Everyone is different.

Should I go to hospital if I have brown discharge? ›

Brown discharge that lasts for a few days before or after your period with no other unusual symptoms is normal. If your brown discharge continues beyond a few days, then you should see your healthcare provider for an evaluation.

How much brown discharge is bad? ›

Brown discharge is unlikely to be a cause for concern and usually does not require a trip to the doctor. However, a person should speak with their doctor if they have brown discharge that: continues for several weeks. frequently happens after sex.

What is the most common week for a miscarriage? ›

Most miscarriages - 8 out of 10 (80 percent) - happen in the first trimester before the 12th week of pregnancy. Miscarriage in the second trimester (between 13 and 19 weeks) happens in 1 to 5 in 100 (1 to 5 percent) pregnancies. Pregnancy loss that happens after 20 weeks is called stillbirth.

How do you know the difference between spotting and a miscarriage? ›

A few spots of blood on your underwear in the first trimester is common, he explains. Miscarriage is more likely if the bleeding progresses from light spotting to something more like a normal period; if the colour is bright red rather than brownish, or if you are also feeling cramping.

What does miscarriage tissue look like? ›

You'll have bleeding and cramping that are heavier than your normal period. The pregnancy tissue may look like large blood clots, or it may look white or gray. It does not look like a baby. The process can be painful, and ob-gyns may prescribe medication to help with this discomfort.

How long after brown discharge does labor start? ›

If you've had bloody show, you can usually expect to go into labor within the next day or two — unless you're a fast starter, in which case you could have your first contraction within the next several hours. (Nice and predictable, right?). So get ready, but don't head out the door just yet.

Why is it brown when I wipe after peeing? ›

Infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may lead to brown spotting or bleeding. Some infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, may not cause symptoms in the early stages.

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