Yellow cervical or vaginal discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of an infection, which may affect your pregnancy or unborn baby.
If you discover yellow discharge, your healthcare provider will want to perform a physical exam and also take a sample of your discharge and urine to be tested.
This article looks at what kind of discharge you may see during pregnancy, explore the possible causes, and let you know when you should see a healthcare provider.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
Discharge You May See During Pregnancy
Cervical discharge isn't always a cause for concern. Abnormal discharge might be, though. Learning about the different types of discharge can help you determine whether to call a healthcare provider.
- Normal pregnancy discharge: Called leukorrhea. Typically a thin, clear, or milky white fluid with a mild odor. Often increases throughout pregnancy.
- Thin, watery yellow discharge: May be a sign of infection, including a sexually transmitted infection (STI), or amniotic fluid leak. May be mistaken for leaking urine.
- Thick yellow discharge with vaginal itching/burning: Likely a vaginal yeast infection.
- Foul-smelling yellow discharge with a foul odor: May be from an STI or yeast infection.
Yeast Infection
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.
What Are Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?
Yeast infection symptoms include:
- Itching, redness, and swelling in the vagina and vulva
- Discharge that looks like cottage cheese
- A burning feeling when you urinate
How Can a Yeast Infection Affect My Pregnancy?
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
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection caused by the overgrowth of bacteria.
What Are the Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis?
BV can be asymptomatic (not cause any symptoms). If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- Itching
- Thin, gray discharge
- Unpleasant odor, especially after sex
- Burning feeling when urinating
How Can BV Affect My Pregnancy?
BV can increase the risk of:
- Premature rupture of membranes (commonly called your water breaking)
- Preterm labor and delivery
- Low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds)
- Postpartum endometritis (irritation of the uterine lining after delivery)
Is Discharge During Pregnancy Common?
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is very common and can increase as the pregnancy progresses.
Gonorrhea
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.
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.
What are the Symptoms of Gonorrhea?
Symptoms can include some of the following:
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Vaginal discharge
- Genital itching
- Soreness
- Bleeding
- Painful bowel movements
How Can Gonorrhea Affect My Pregnancy?
You can pass gonorrhea to your baby during childbirth. The infection also increases the risk of:
- Miscarriage (spontaneous loss of pregnancy)
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Chorioamnionitis (a bacterial infection of the membrane that surrounds the baby and the amniotic fluid and affects both the mother and baby)
If the infection is passed during delivery and isn't treated, it could cause an eye infection in your newborn.
Chlamydia
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.
What Are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?
Symptoms of chlamydia include:
- Burning sensation or itching when urinating
- Bleeding after sex
- An unpleasant vaginal odor
- Rectal pain and
bleeding
How Can Chlamydia Affect My Pregnancy?
Chlamydia during pregnancy can put you at risk of:
- Preterm labor
- Premature rupture of membranes,
- A baby with low birth weight
Newborns who are exposed to chlamydia during delivery can develop eye and
lung infections.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection caused by the sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.
What Are the Symptoms of Trichomoniasis?
Although most people report no symptoms from trichnomoniasis, you may have:
- Itching
- Irritation
- Unusual odor
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain during urination or sex
How Can Trichomoniasis Affect My Pregnancy?
Trichomoniasis infection in pregnancy can increase the risk of:
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Preterm birth
- Low birth weight infants
On rare occasions, a newborn girl can acquire the infection during delivery and may have vaginal discharge.
Summary
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is very common and can increase as the pregnancy progresses.
Some discharge is normal and healthy, but some types of discharge, including foul-smelling or yellow discharge can be a sign of infection.
Many infections are treatable during pregnancy. Untreated, they can cause health concerns for both you and your baby.
A Word From Verywell
If you have discharge during pregnancy that seems abnormal, other symptoms of infection, or a known exposure to an STI, see your healthcare provider. With safe treatments readily available, there's no reason to let something go untreated.
If it turns out to be nothing, at least your provider can give you peace of mind so you don't needlessly worry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to have yellow discharge during early pregnancy?
Yellow discharge isn't always a cause for concern, but it can be a sign of an infection. If discharge is coupled with an unpleasant odor or other symptoms like pain or itching, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
What color is discharge when pregnant?
Harmless, healthy discharge is usually white and has a mild odor. It can increase in volume during your pregnancy. Using a panty liner can protect your clothes.
Can yellow discharge mean miscarriage?
Yellow discharge can be a sign of infection. Infections, when left untreated, can put a pregnancy at risk of miscarriage.