This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
During pregnancy, some pregnant women get confused between amniotic fluid and vaginal discharge. Distinguishing these two phenomena is extremely important, mothers need to know to be able to take better care of themselves, easily detect abnormalities of the body as well as ensure a healthy pregnancy. Children are best developed.
1. What is amniotic fluid?
To be able to distinguish between amniotic fluid and vaginal discharge, we first need to know what amniotic fluid and vaginal discharge are.
Amniotic fluid is a nutrient environment created from the placenta, amniotic membrane and the mother's circulatory system during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is the colorless liquid that surrounds the baby in the amniotic sac. It's like a soft water mattress for a baby. The amniotic membrane helps to protect the fetus from the penetration of germs from the outside. Amniotic fluid also helps the baby's internal organs such as lungs and kidneys develop completely.
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In the first trimester of pregnancy, the baby will swallow amniotic fluid, when entering the body it will be filtered through the kidneys and then excreted as urine by the fetus. The fetus also excretes some fluid from the lungs. Any excess fluid that appears will be absorbed through the amniotic sac or umbilical cord to maintain an ideal balance of fluids for the growing baby.
2. What is vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is a woman's vaginal discharge after puberty. Normal vaginal discharge is characterized by a small amount, sticky, clear or cloudy like a lake, no smell, has the effect of cleaning, moisturizing the vagina and fighting infection.
Vaginal discharge may be more abundant before ovulation or before menstruation: heavy discharge at some point in the cycle such as before menstruation or before ovulation is a normal physiological response of women. body.
If the vaginal discharge is abundant and yellow or green, has an odor, comes out a lot continuously, sometimes causing vaginal itching, itching of the perineum, it is a manifestation of a disease such as vaginal yeast infection, cervical ectropion. This condition can occur even during pregnancy, making pregnant dogs not know if the discharge is vaginal fluid or amniotic fluid.
3. How to distinguish between amniotic fluid and vaginal discharge?
During pregnancy, you may feel like everything is leaking. As the bladder fills faster, pregnant women may leak some urine. In addition, in the last months of pregnancy, the layers of vaginal tissue will gradually produce more fluid to support the easy and convenient birth of the baby. Therefore, it is really difficult for many pregnant women to determine whether the discharge from the vagina is vaginal fluid or amniotic fluid.
Some features to identify amniotic fluid leakage:
The discharge is clear white or has mucus or blood. Amniotic fluid doesn't have an odor Amniotic fluid leaks will often soak your underwear. Vaginal discharge will have the following distinguishing features:
Vaginal discharge is usually milky white or yellow or green. May have a fishy odor. Vaginal discharge can also wet underwear. So during pregnancy, if a pregnant woman notices a discharge from the vagina, it is not certain that it is an amniotic fluid leak, but it may be vaginal fluid. If mothers are not sure about their ability to distinguish, feel worried, then go to medical facilities, hospitals with obstetrics and gynecology departments for timely examination and advice.
4. Potential risks of leaking amniotic fluid and vaginal discharge during pregnancy
Amniotic fluid or negative fluid during pregnancy are both concerned because they both have potential risks affecting the health and development of the fetus.
4.1. Potential risks of amniotic fluid leakage Amniotic fluid leakage can lead to dangers for both mother and fetus at any time during pregnancy. If only a small amount of amniotic fluid leaks, it can still be controlled. But if the amniotic fluid leaks in a large amount, it can be dangerous for the fetus.
Leakage of amniotic fluid occurring in the first or second trimester of pregnancy can cause the following dangerous complications:
Causes miscarriage. Causing premature birth. May cause birth defects. May cause stillbirth. In the last 3 months of pregnancy, if the amniotic fluid leak causes too little amniotic fluid remaining, it can lead to the following risks:
Make delivery difficult. The risk of cesarean section is higher. The fetus may have growth retardation.
Leaking amniotic fluid with unusual characteristics can warn of the following danger signs that pregnant women need to be aware of:
Amniotic fluid leaking is red-brown: this can be a sign that the fetus is in danger danger inside the womb, pregnant women need immediate emergency care. Amniotic fluid leaking is cloudy green, bad smell: pregnant women need to go to a medical facility immediately for examination and treatment. Because this can be a sign of amniotic fluid infection, the fetus is at risk of infection in this case. Amniotic fluid leaking is dark yellow: this is a warning sign that pregnant women are suffering from chronic heart failure, so it is necessary to see a doctor soon to prevent acute fetal failure during labor. Amniotic fluid leak is moss green: this is a sign that the pregnant mother has had fetal failure. Therefore, pregnant women should go to the doctor to be monitored by specialists, because this condition may repeat. Leaking amniotic fluid is yellow: this is a sign that the fetus is growing slowly or the mother is anemic during pregnancy. Amniotic fluid leaking is light brown or pink: this is one of the signs of labor, pregnant women need to be taken to a medical facility with an obstetrics department immediately because amniotic fluid can break at any time.
4.2. Due to the influence of hormones, a pregnant woman's vaginal discharge during pregnancy tends to be more secreted, sticky and mucus-like. Most cases of vaginal discharge are normal and nothing to worry about. However, if the discharge has a different color, has an unusual smell, or causes itching and irritation in the intimate area, it is possible that the pregnant woman's private area is infected.
Vaginitis caused by yeast: this condition is not too serious, but pregnant women should go to a gynecological examination and treatment to ensure safety for themselves and the fetus. Bacterial vaginosis: This condition threatens the life of the fetus, the infection can spread to the uterine region causing premature rupture of membranes, causing premature birth. Therefore, when there are abnormal signs, there is a discharge from the vagina, whether it is amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge, pregnant women should see a doctor to be examined and given specific instructions. to ensure the safety of you and your baby.
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