What if I have vaginal discharge at 28 weeks pregnant?

What the evidence says

At 28 weeks, it is normal for pregnant people to have more vaginal discharge than usual. This is called leukorrhea. It is usually thin, milky-white, and does not smell bad or cause itching. This happens because of hormone changes and increased blood flow to the area.

But some changes in discharge are a sign something else is going on. Watch for discharge that turns yellow, green, or grey, smells unpleasant, or comes with itching, burning, or pain. These can be signs of an infection like a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, both of which are common in pregnancy and treatable.

Some signs need a call to your doctor or midwife the same day. These include any new vaginal bleeding, an increase in your usual discharge amount, pelvic pain that does not go away, or discharge with a fever. A sudden gush or trickle of watery fluid could mean your water has broken early, which also needs prompt checking.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have heavy vaginal bleeding, severe belly pain, or if you think the umbilical cord might be coming out with the fluid. These are rare but serious.

Because discharge changes can sometimes point to preterm labour, it is always reasonable to call your care provider if something feels different from your normal pattern. It is better to check than to wait.