Is Yellow Discharge During Pregnancy Normal? What You Need to Know

Before you clog your brain with worst-case scenarios, understand that some discharge fluctuations are normal and nothing to freak out about. Others, however, require a bit more attention.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about what that yellow stuff might mean for you and your little one.

An increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy (leukorrhea) is normal due to your higher estrogen levels. Healthy discharge is usually thin and clear or milky white, with a mild odor.

While the amount of discharge varies and can increase throughout your pregnancy, the general look and consistency should remain more or less constant. You can expect it to turn slightly yellow when the air hits it, but that’s nothing for you to lose sleep over. 1

If your discharge is a particularly vivid or dark shade of yellow (instead of just taking on a mildly yellow hue after it’s been exposed to the air for a while) and is also thick or lumpy, that can indicate a problem. Particularly if it’s coupled with a foul smell and an itching or burning sensation, the usual culprit is an infection.

On the flip side, unusually watery and pale yellow discharge can point to an entirely different problem: an amniotic fluid leak. We’ll look at both of these scenarios in detail below.

Vaginal infections

Here are some of the most common conditions that could cause a yellow tinge in your discharge: 2

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV): Unhealthy bacterial growth can give rise to thin and white, yellow, or gray discharge with a fish-like odor, plus itching and burning. 3
• Yeast infection: This unwelcome fungal infection is common when your pH levels are out of whack. Expect thick, cottage cheese-like discharge that appears white, cream, or slightly yellow. You’ll also experience some itching and redness.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis can also cause yellow discharge, as well as a foul smell, pain, or discomfort during urination.

Every type of infection brings complications. Pregnancy issues that can stem from untreated BV and STIs include low baby birth weight, preterm delivery, and ectopic pregnancy (the embryo growing somewhere other than the womb).

Fortunately, all of the conditions we just mentioned are treatable. The key is to get yourself to the doctor if you see vaginal discharge that’s yellower than usual—or anything else that strikes you as significantly outside the norm.

Leaking amniotic fluid

Amniotic fluid is the substance that surrounds your growing baby in the womb. While it tends to be clear, it’s not uncommon for it to take on a slightly yellowish tint. 4

You’ll usually only see amniotic fluid when your water breaks and you go into labor. If you leak fluid early—before your expected due date—regardless of whether it comes in a slow trickle or a sudden gush, it’s known as “premature rupture of membranes” (PROM).

Your water breaking is one of the classic signs of labor, and you’re likely to go into labor within 24 hours. If that occurs before you’re 37 weeks pregnant, it’s called “preterm premature rupture of membranes” (PPROM). 5

Pregnancy risks associated with leaking amniotic fluid

Whether it’s premature or you’re at term, an amniotic fluid leak requires immediate medical attention. 6 If your baby’s coming early, it stands to reason that you’ll need a doctor’s help—and even if your baby’s right on schedule, it’s still time to get yourself to the hospital.

Again, regardless of whether your yellow discharge indicates an infection or it could be amniotic fluid, what you need to do is the same: get yourself seen by a doctor. No one will blame you for handing this one off to a professional.

If you suspect you have an infection, your doctor will take discharge samples (via a cervix swab) or test your urine to pinpoint the underlying cause and recommend a treatment plan. Solutions include oral and topical medications for bacterial or fungal infections.

Conversely, if you have PROM/PPROM, the next step could range from labor induction to inpatient monitoring to (rarely) at-home monitoring. 7 Your amniotic sac rupturing early is a big deal, and your doctor will walk you through what it means and what your options are.

Can you treat yellowish discharge with over-the-counter medications?

Over-the-counter medications like Monistat are a tempting fix for yeast infections, but with your baby in the picture, you should still run any and all medications by your doctor to be safe. Pregnancy isn’t a good time to self-diagnose or take responsibility for your own treatments.

Note that in the case of medicine like fluconazole (Diflucan), you should avoid high doses to limit the risk of birth defects and possible miscarriage. 8

Yellow discharge during pregnancy can come with enough issues to raise alarms for you and your little one. Whether those signs point to an infection or a potential amniotic fluid leak, don’t suppress those blossoming maternal instincts, even if you think there’s a chance you’re jumping at shadows and your discharge is normal.

Reach out to your doctor with your concerns. Proactivity is the name of the game for you and your baby from here on out, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.