BROWN DISCHARGE PREGNANCY

The most common cause of brown discharge is discomfort.The surge of hormones and increased blood flow throughout your body during pregnancy makes the cervix super sensitive, and sex during pregnancy or a pelvic exam can aggravate it. This results in some dark discharge or light flickering. In fact, this “discharge” is old blood that has been in the uterus for a while and is coming out slowly.brown discharge pregnancy

Brown discharge is simply old blood from the uterus that has been removed It can start from early pregnancy and continue until the 37th week, i.e. until research is completed.The amount and colour may also vary depending on the cause of the discharge.

It can be disturbing to you if you find brown discharge during pregnancy.Although it’s normal and, in most cases, just another part of the pregnancy, it can worry you to no end. Brown discharge is very common and you need not panic unless it is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching or foul smell.brown discharge pregnancy

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Different Types of Brown Discharge During Pregnancy

Brown discharge may vary in colour, with each type of brown discharge indicating a health problem.Given below are the different types of brown discharge basis the colour of vaginal discharge:

  • Lightish-brown – Implementation bleeding or STDs
  • Pinkish-brown – Cervical irritation, ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
  • Dark-brown – Early stages of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy
  • Thick, brownish – Yeast infection
  • Blackish-brown – Miscarriage, infections of the vagina, uterus or cervix
  • Watery, brown – Molar pregnancy
  • Yellowish-brown – Yeast or bacterial infections

 

Brown Discharge During Early Pregnancy



Spotting or brown discharge occurs from 6 days after ovulation to the first few weeks of gestation. Often, in early pregnancy, the uterus discharges old blood that triggers spotting or brownish discharge.. Cervical and vaginal sensitivity can also cause a small amount of bleeding or a brownish discharge at different times of the pregnancy. Bleeding from the vagina in early pregnancy is very common and happens in 25% of pregnancies.

 

Brown Discharge During Late Pregnancy

Towards the end of the pregnancy, brownish discharge can also be a sign of labour. A few weeks or days before delivery, the mucus plug at the opening of the cervix breaks. This is followed by a brownish discharge or a discharge of blood with a tinge of pink.

Brownish discharge can happen due to:

  1. Implantation Bleeding

The fertilised egg travels to the walls of the uterus and implants itself, which may cause bleeding. Implantation bleeding can occur from 6 days after ovulation to the first few weeks of pregnancy. It also occurs, sometimes, as light-pinkish spotting a few days before the expected date of a period. Since menstruation occurs 14 days after ovulation, early implantation bleeding is sometimes mistaken for light and late period.

  1. Pre-Labour Discharge

Brownish discharge that happens just before the due date can be a sign of labour If this occurs between 36 and 40 weeks along with a loss of mucus plug, the discharge which be followed by gray mucosa and jelly-like glob that is red-tinged oe streaked with old brown fluid.This happens when the cervix softens and a woman’s body gets ready for delivery and the mucus plug stopping the entry of infections into the womb is not required any longer. The plug and the discharge may be expelled all at once or in smaller bits over the course of a few days or weeks.



  1. Sexual Intercourse

The cervix is flushed with blood during pregnancy, which makes it responsive.Sexual intercourse or an intrusive medical examination can cause brown discharge and pain.

  1. Molar Pregnancy,brown discharge pregnancy

Brownish discharge is sometimes caused by a spontaneous expulsion of a molar pregnancy, an abnormality of the placenta. brown discharge pregnancy,This is caused by problems during fertilisation. A genetic error during the fertilisation process leads to the growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus. Molar pregnancies are rare, occurring in 1 out of every 1,000 pregnancies, and do not usually result in a viable foetus. They instead involve the abnormally rapid growth of tissues. Brown discharge and grape-like tissue are released spontaneously at the end of molar pregnancy.

  1. Cervical Polyps Cervical polyps are harmless benign growth on the cervix. Brownish discharge during pregnancy is sometimes caused by bleeding from a cervical poly, due to the increased vascularity in the cervical tissue.
  2. Ectopic Pregnancy

Brownish discharge is, sometimes, a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilised egg implants itself outside the uterus, mostly in the fallopian tubes. It is typically accompanied by a lot of dizziness, light-headedness and occasional fainting, pain on one side of the abdomen and pelvis, which comes and goes. n ectopic pregnancy is a serious problem and can be associated with fallopian tube rupture and severe internal haemorrhage. If your brownish discharge is accompanied by these symptoms, it needs immediate medical intervention.

brown discharge pregnancy

  1. Missed Abortion

Brownish discharge can, sometimes, be a sign of a missed abortion. In this case, the pregnancy stops developing but the developed foetal tissue does not pass out of the uterus. When this does not happen for 4 weeks, dark brown spotting or bleeding with a texture of ground coffee occurs. This is sometimes accompanied by bad odour and expelled tissue matter. We advise you to visit the doctor, in such a case, to ensure all foetal matter is cleaned away from the uterus.

 

  1. Miscarriage

Brownish and, occasionally, red discharge from the vagina in the first trimester can be a sign of miscarriage if accompanied by abdominal pain, lower back pain, and strong period-like cramps. The bleeding may vary from light to heavy, have blood clots, and come and go for a few days. In most cases, a woman’s body recovers from miscarriage over a period of 1 week to 10 days. Then, further treatment is not needed.

9. Abnormal Placenta

Certain placental conditions or abnormalities like placenta previa and placental abruption can be a reason of brown spotting. In placenta previa, the opening of the cervix is covered by the placenta, causing brown discharge but no pain. Whereas in placenta abruption, the uterus gets separated from the placenta, causing both brown discharge and pain.

  1. Genital HPV

This is another condition which is caused by increased estrogen levels and increased blood flow. Brownish discharge is one of its symptoms.

brown discharge pregnancy

  1. Vaginal Infections

Infections of the vagina and sexually transmitted diseases can also cause brown spotting.

 

How to Reduce Brown Discharge When You’re Pregnant

If the brown discharge is due to a significant pregnancy condition, here’s what you can do

  • Monitoe Yourself:

Do not skip your medical appointments and complete all the recommended checkups on time so that any problem can be diagnosed and managed before it’s too late.

·         Take it Easy

This refers to the toll pregnancy takes on physical and mental health. See if you can get a hired help or trusted family member to help out and reduce your workload.

·         Don’t Exercise Too Much

While exercising and staying active is important during pregnancy, remember that too much of something is bad.

·         Get Some Rest

Heading to bed is the best thing you can do. Sleep for as many hours as your body needs. Try to nap during the day if you’re working.

·         Elevate Your Feet

Putting your feet up takes your weight off the floor ·

·         This helps increase the body’s blood supply, which decreases the amount of brown discharge during pregnancy.

 

·         Don’t Lift Heavy Objects

Straining yourself by lifting heavy items isn’t a great idea.

·         Take the Recommended Tests

The tests include a vaginal and cervical examination, blood tests and ultrasound scans, tests to check the size of your uterus, the levels of pregnancy hormones in your blood, the amount of bleeding and the presence of any visible factors causing the discharge and bleeding.brown discharge pregnancy

·         Take Medication

·         The medicine used to treat brown discharge during pregnancy depends on the type of the issue.Some women don’t require medication while others do.

When Is Brownish Discharge a Cause for Concern?

While there’s no need to panic in most cases, keeping track of the appearance, quantity, and odour of the brownish discharge is important.

There are some symptoms that reflect serious underlying problems:

  1. A large quantity of discharge – In general, any discharge during pregnancy that needs a sanitary pad is a warning sign.
  2. Discomfort – Discharge accompanied by pain and cramping, a bad odour may indicate a vaginal infection. If you experience any of these, you must consult a gynaecologist at once.brown discharge pregnancy
  3. Watery discharge – Discharge accompanied by watery fluid or lumpy matter may signal a miscarriage and a need for a D & C.
  4. Duration of discharge – Discharge which persists for more than a week after sexual intercourse or a medical examination could be a sign of an infection.
  5. Fever along with discharge – Discharge accompanied by feverand chills may be a serious infection of the uterus or kidneys and should be treated at once.
  6. Severe pain with discharge – Discharge accompanied by dizziness, severe pain, and abdominal cramps may be because of an ectopic pregnancy. This poses a threat to the life of the mother and will need termination.




Though brownish discharge doesn’t usually indicate a problem, always call your doctor if you notice bleeding during pregnancy. Make a note of your symptoms and visit your doctor if you suspect anything amiss It’s safer to be safe than sorry, after all.