Types of Discharge Before Labor: What’s Normal and When to Worry

As your due date approaches, you may notice changes in your vaginal discharge. Understanding the different types of discharge before labor can help you recognize when your body is preparing for delivery and when you might need to contact your healthcare provider. While discharge changes are a normal part of late pregnancy, knowing what to expect can ease anxiety and help you prepare for the arrival of your baby.

Normal Pregnancy Discharge vs. Labor-Related Discharge

Throughout pregnancy, it’s normal to experience increased vaginal discharge due to higher estrogen levels and increased blood flow to the vaginal area. This typical pregnancy discharge, called leukorrhea, is usually thin, white or clear, and has a mild odor.

As you near the end of your pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, you may notice changes in the amount, color, and consistency of your discharge. These changes often signal that your body is preparing for labor, though they don’t necessarily mean labor is imminent.

The Mucus Plug: Your Cervix’s Protective Barrier

One of the most significant types of discharge before labor is the mucus plug. During pregnancy, a thick collection of mucus forms in the cervical canal to seal the opening of the uterus. This plug serves as a protective barrier, preventing bacteria and infections from reaching your baby.

What Does the Mucus Plug Look Like?

The mucus plug can vary in appearance, but typically it is:

• Thick and gel-like in consistency
• Clear, white, yellowish, or slightly pink in color
• About 1-2 tablespoons in volume
• May contain streaks of blood, giving it a brown or red tint

When Does the Mucus Plug Come Out?

Losing your mucus plug, also called “show” or “bloody show,” can happen anywhere from several weeks before labor to right at the beginning of labor. Some women lose it all at once in a single discharge, while others may lose it gradually over several days and not even notice it.

It’s important to note that losing your mucus plug doesn’t mean labor will start immediately. You could still be days or even weeks away from delivery.

Bloody Show: A Sign Labor May Be Approaching

Bloody show is vaginal discharge that contains blood mixed with mucus. This occurs as the cervix begins to soften, thin out, and dilate in preparation for labor. As the cervix changes, small blood vessels may break, causing the pink or bloody tinge in the discharge.

Characteristics of Bloody Show

Bloody show typically appears as:

• Pink, red, or brown discharge
• Mixed with thick mucus
• Stringy or jelly-like in texture
• Light in volume, similar to spotting

Bloody show is generally a positive sign that your cervix is preparing for labor. However, it’s not a definitive indicator that labor will begin within a specific timeframe. Some women experience bloody show days before labor starts, while others may see it as labor begins.

When to Be Concerned About Blood

While light pink or brown discharge is normal, heavy bleeding is not. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

• Bright red bleeding as heavy as a menstrual period
• Blood clots
• Continuous heavy bleeding
• Bleeding accompanied by severe pain or fever

Heavy bleeding could indicate placental abruption, placenta previa, or other serious complications that require immediate medical attention.

Amniotic Fluid: When Your Water Breaks

Another type of discharge you may experience before or during labor is amniotic fluid. The amniotic sac is a fluid-filled membrane that surrounds and protects your baby throughout pregnancy. When this membrane ruptures, it’s commonly referred to as “water breaking.”

How to Identify Amniotic Fluid

Amniotic fluid has distinct characteristics that differentiate it from other types of discharge:

• Clear or pale yellow color
• Watery, thin consistency
• Odorless or slightly sweet smell
• Continuous leaking that you cannot control
• May be a large gush or a steady trickle

What to Do When Your Water Breaks

If you suspect your water has broken, contact your healthcare provider immediately and head to your hospital or birthing center, even if you’re not experiencing contractions. Once the amniotic sac ruptures, there’s an increased risk of infection for both you and your baby, so timing becomes important.

Your healthcare team will assess the situation and may recommend steps to start labor if it doesn’t begin naturally within a certain timeframe.

Increased Clear or White Discharge

In the days and weeks leading up to labor, many women notice a significant increase in clear or white vaginal discharge. This is completely normal and occurs due to:

• Increased estrogen levels
• The cervix beginning to soften and change
• The body’s preparation for labor
• Pieces of the mucus plug being released gradually

This discharge should not have a strong odor, cause itching, or be accompanied by discomfort. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider as it could indicate an infection.

Differentiating Between Normal Discharge and Amniotic Fluid

It can sometimes be challenging to distinguish between increased vaginal discharge, urine leakage, and amniotic fluid. Here are some tips to help you tell the difference:

The Pad Test

Wear a clean pad or panty liner for 30 minutes to an hour. Then check:

• Amniotic fluid: Will continuously leak and soak the pad, often feeling like a warm trickle
• Discharge: May leave some wetness but won’t continuously soak the pad
• Urine: Usually comes in spurts with movement and has a distinct ammonia smell

The Movement Test

If you’re unsure, try lying down for about 30 minutes, then stand up. If amniotic fluid has pooled while you were lying down, you’ll likely feel a gush when you stand.

When in doubt, always contact your healthcare provider. They can perform tests to determine whether you’re leaking amniotic fluid.

Signs of Abnormal Discharge

While many types of discharge before labor are normal, certain characteristics may indicate a problem that requires medical attention:

Signs of Infection

• Yellow or green discharge with a strong, unpleasant odor
• Cottage cheese-like discharge (possible yeast infection)
• Gray or white discharge with a fishy odor (possible bacterial vaginosis)
• Discharge accompanied by itching, burning, or irritation
• Discharge with fever or abdominal pain

Signs of Preterm Labor

If you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant and notice any of the following, contact your healthcare provider immediately:

• Increased vaginal discharge of any type
• Bloody or pink discharge
• Watery discharge that could be amniotic fluid
• Any discharge accompanied by contractions or pelvic pressure

Preterm labor can be subtle, and early intervention may help prevent premature birth.

Timeline: When to Expect Different Types of Discharge

While every pregnancy is different, here’s a general timeline of when you might experience various types of discharge before labor:

Weeks 37-40

• Increased clear or white discharge
• Possible loss of mucus plug (can also occur earlier)
• Occasional pink or brown spotting

Days Before Labor

• Bloody show
• Loss of mucus plug if it hasn’t occurred already
• Possible rupture of membranes (water breaking)

Early Labor

• Continued bloody show
• Possible water breaking if it hasn’t occurred
• Regular contractions

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

While many changes in discharge are normal, you should contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Heavy bleeding like a menstrual period
• Bright red blood
• Sudden gush or continuous trickle of watery fluid
• Green or yellow discharge with a foul odor
• Discharge accompanied by fever, chills, or severe pain
• Any discharge changes before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• Discharge accompanied by decreased fetal movement
• Anything that doesn’t feel right to you

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong or you’re concerned, it’s always better to call your healthcare provider and get checked out rather than wait and worry.

Maintaining Good Hygiene During Late Pregnancy

As you experience increased discharge in late pregnancy, good hygiene practices can help keep you comfortable and reduce the risk of infection:

• Wear breathable cotton underwear
• Use unscented panty liners to manage discharge
• Change underwear and liners frequently
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
• Avoid douching, which can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria
• Avoid scented soaps, bubble baths, and feminine hygiene products
• Take showers instead of baths after your water breaks

Preparing for Labor

Understanding the types of discharge before labor is just one part of preparing for your baby’s arrival. As you approach your due date:

• Keep your healthcare provider’s contact information readily available
• Have your hospital bag packed and ready
• Know the route to your hospital or birthing center
• Understand your healthcare provider’s guidelines for when to call or go to the hospital
• Stay hydrated and well-rested
• Monitor your baby’s movements

The Bottom Line

Experiencing different types of discharge before labor is a normal part of late pregnancy. The mucus plug, bloody show, and increased vaginal discharge are all signs that your body is preparing for delivery. While these changes can be exciting indicators that you’ll meet your baby soon, they don’t necessarily mean labor is imminent.

Every woman’s experience is unique, and the timeline for these signs can vary greatly. Some women notice these changes weeks before labor, while others may experience them all within hours of delivery. The key is knowing what’s normal and what requires immediate medical attention.

If you’re ever unsure about the type of discharge you’re experiencing or concerned about any aspect of your pregnancy, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. They’re there to support you and ensure both you and your baby stay healthy as you prepare for labor and delivery.

Remember, no question is too small, and it’s always better to be cautious, especially as you approach this significant milestone in your pregnancy journey.

Sources:

• Mayo Clinic – Signs of Labor
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – How to Tell When Labor Begins
• March of Dimes – Signs of Labor
• MedlinePlus – Signs of Labor
• Office on Women’s Health – Labor and Birth