Vaginal Discharge as an Early Sign and Symptom of Pregnancy

White milky vaginal discharge is occasionally the first pregnancy sign and symptom noticed by many women. Women often notice an increase in vaginal discharge like white milky discharge, especially if a pregnancy is likely. This vaginal discharge is very normal and often referred to as leucorrhea, or "white flow." It is typically odorless or has only a mild odor. It is generally milky white in appearance.

However, besides the "normal" white milky vaginal discharge leukorrhea associated with pregnancy, there are many other reasons for a vaginal discharge, some may be normal, but others may require further diagnostic tests and treatment.

Read here more about Causes and Treatment of Vaginal Discharge.

We all know about morning sickness being a pregnancy sign indicating that you could be pregnant. But did you also know that vaginal discharge could likely be a sign of early pregnancy?

If you notice an increase in discharge and there is a possibility that you might be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test; discharge has been reported by many women as a sign of early pregnancy. Discharge is often normal, especially if it's colorless and odorless.

As long as the vaginal discharge you are experiencing has no odor, and is not accompanied by burning or itching, it may be one of the first signs of early pregnancy. However, if the vaginal discharge you are experiencing is foul-smelling, itchy, and/or is a color other than clear or milky white, you should see your gynecologist immediately. Your doctor will need to examine you because you could have a viral or bacterial infection or a sexually transmitted disease that must be treated.

Vaginal discharge that you might see in your underwear or when you wipe yourself after urinating could range in color from milky white to pinkish-brown. It is caused by the increase in your estrogen levels and more blood flow to your vagina. It could look like you are spotting especially if you see it around the time your normal menstrual cycle would begin. The pinkish brown color is a little bit of blood that could be left over from your previous menstrual cycle and is nothing to become alarmed about.

Not every woman experiences this type of vaginal discharge either, so not seeing the discharge does not mean that you aren't pregnant and that the absence of discharge could still be an early sign of pregnancy. You could very well be pregnant and not have this particular sign of early pregnancy. The surest way to determine whether you are pregnant is to see your doctor for a test.

The increased vaginal discharge as a sign of early pregnancy signs could be related to estrogen levels which increase once you become pregnant, and greater blood flow will occur in the vagina as well. All of these changes produce discharge as a sign of early pregnancy. While some women watch their vaginal discharge as an indicator of ovulation, others notice it when they are trying to determine if they might be pregnant. This discharge as a sign of pregnancy is comprised of secretions from the vagina and the cervix, as well as cells from the vagina walls and typical bacterial from the vagina. If you pay attention to how much discharge you usually have throughout the month, you may not have any trouble noticing an increase in vaginal secretions, and this could be your first indicator that you might be pregnant. The cervical secretions actually increase in order to create a mucus plug. This plug creates a protective door to your womb, and it will stay there until shortly before your labor begins.