Light brown discharge at 7 weeks pregnant

Experiencing bleeding at any point during pregnancy can be scary. But keep in mind: There are times when finding discharge that resembles blood is a typical part of pregnancy.

Table of Contents Show

Implantation bleeding
Cervical irritation
Ectopic pregnancy
Miscarriage
Unknown reasons
Clear or milky white
White and lumpy
Green or yellow
Is brown discharge at 7 weeks pregnant normal?
What color discharge is normal at 7 weeks pregnant?
Does a miscarriage start with brown spotting?
Why is my discharge light brown while pregnant?

But what about pinkish-brown discharge? Is this dangerous for you or your fetus?

Here are six possible reasons you might be experiencing pinkish-brown discharge during pregnancy.

Implantation bleeding

If you’re very early on in your pregnancy and actively looking for symptoms, you may notice some light spotting around week 4.

This can be implantation bleeding, or the bleeding that occurs when the fertilized embryo burrows into the highly vascular lining of your uterus.

Cervical irritation

During pregnancy, your cervix, which is the bottom of your uterus and the part that opens and stretches during labor, is highly vascular. This means it has a lot of blood vessels, so it can bleed easily.

If your cervix is irritated during pregnancy, it may cause some brownish-pink discharge. This can happen at any point during your pregnancy. It may be caused by sex, a cervical check by your doctor, or an infection.

Ectopic pregnancy

In rare cases, brownish-pink discharge can be caused by an ectopic pregnancy. This is when a pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube.

The brownish color occurs because the bleeding is older blood, not bright red (new) blood. An ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening emergency.

Go to the emergency room if you notice bleeding along with any of these symptoms:

extreme dizziness
shoulder pain
fainting
lightheadedness
abdominal or pelvic pain that comes and goes, especially on one side

Miscarriage

Any bleeding during pregnancy can be an early sign of miscarriage. In general, bleeding that results in a miscarriage is also accompanied by other symptoms.

If you notice brownish-pink discharge, be on the lookout for other symptoms, including:

cramping
increased bright red bleeding
gush of fluid or watery discharge
abdominal pain
lower back pain

Unknown reasons

Many times, there’s no obvious reason for bleeding during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. A 2019 study found that as many as one-fourth of women reported some kind of bleeding during the first few months of pregnancy. Although researchers speculated that the bleeding was an early sign of the placenta not developing properly, they aren’t sure of all of the reasons bleeding can happen.

Call your doctor if you experience other symptoms, or if you’re concerned.

Mucus plug

You may be losing your mucus plug if you’re further along in your pregnancy, (anywhere from 36 to 40 weeks) and notice an increase in discharge that’s brownish, pink, or even slightly green-tinged.

As your body gets ready to go into labor, it’s common for your cervix to soften and release the mucus plug. This plug helps protect any bacteria from getting into your uterus.

The mucus plug can look like, well, mucous. But it may also be tinged with brown-colored discharge when it dislodges. You may notice the mucus plug come out all at once. Or it may dislodge in smaller, less noticeable “chunks” over the course of a few days or weeks.

If you notice a small amount of pinkish-brown discharge during your pregnancy, don’t panic. In most cases, a small amount of blood-tinged discharge is typical.

Consider if there could be any possible reasons for the discharge:

Were you checked by your doctor recently?
Did you have sex in the last 24 hours?
Are you nearing the end of your pregnancy and might be losing your mucus plug?

If the discharge increases, or if you experience any bleeding with other symptoms, call your doctor or head to the hospital.

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Pregnancy causes changes in vaginal discharge, which can vary in color, texture, and volume. An increase in vaginal discharge is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Some changes in color are also normal, while others may indicate infection or another problem.

Color is one of the most noticeable changes that can occur. Discharge can be:

clear or milky white
white and lumpy
green or yellow
gray
brown
pink
red

This article discusses vaginal discharge during pregnancy, including what the different colors of discharge mean and when to see a doctor.

It is normal to have discharge at various stages of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy.

Healthy vaginal discharge, also called leukorrhea, is thin and clear or white and has only a mild odor.

The volume of discharge increases throughout pregnancy to reduce the risk of vaginal and uterine infections.

Discharge is at its most heavy in the final weeks of pregnancy, when it may contain pink mucus.

The mucus is typically sticky and jelly-like in consistency, and it indicates that the body is preparing for labor.

The various colors of vaginal discharge may indicate different health issues. These include:

Clear or milky white

This color suggests leukorrhea, which is usually a normal and healthy discharge, especially if it smells mild.

However, any changes in its quantity or consistency may suggest an issue. A woman who is pregnant but not yet at full term should see a doctor if she experiences an increase in clear discharge that leaks continuously or becomes thick and jelly-like.

These changes may suggest preterm labor.

White and lumpy

Vaginal discharge that is lumpy and either white or off-white, resembling cottage cheese, can indicate a yeast infection.

Yeast infections are common, and the body is particularly susceptible to them during pregnancy. Other symptoms include itching, burning, and painful urination or intercourse.

Green or yellow

Green or yellow vaginal discharge is not healthy and suggests a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia or trichomoniasis. Other possible symptoms include redness or irritation in the genitals. STIs sometimes do not cause any symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), STIs can cause complications during pregnancy that can affect both the woman and child. These complications sometimes do not present until years after the birth, but they can affect the nervous system and development of the child and cause infertility in the woman.

People may occasionally think that they have yellow discharge when they are merely leaking small amounts of urine.

Gray

Gray vaginal discharge may indicate a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV), particularly if it also has a fishy smell that becomes stronger following intercourse.

BV is the result of a bacterial imbalance in the vagina. Douching and having multiple sexual partners are risk factors for BV, which is the most common vaginal infection during childbearing years.

Brown

Discharge is usually brown due to old blood leaving the body, which can be an early symptom of pregnancy. Brown discharge during pregnancy is not generally a cause for concern.

However, pregnant women who experience dark brown discharge should contact their doctor.

Pink

Pink discharge during pregnancy may or may not be normal. Discharge with a pink hue often occurs during early pregnancy or in the final weeks as the body prepares for labor. It can also occur before a miscarriage or during an ectopic pregnancy.

A study with 4,510 participants found that spotting and light episodes of bleeding during the first trimester, especially those persisting for just 1 to 2 days, did not correspond with a higher risk of miscarriage.

Other causes of light spotting during pregnancy include sexual intercourse and vaginal infections.

Red

Red vaginal discharge during pregnancy requires the immediate attention of a doctor, especially if the bleeding is heavy, contains clots, or occurs alongside cramping and abdominal pain.

These symptoms suggest miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, which people may also refer to as pregnancy loss.

Other causes of red discharge may be less serious, especially during the first trimester, when it may result from implantation or infection. Studies indicate that between 7 and 24 percent of women bleed during early pregnancy.

Bleeding later in pregnancy can indicate potentially serious issues or preterm labor, which will require immediate medical attention.

An increase in the volume of mild-smelling vaginal discharge during pregnancy is normal, but unusual colors and odors often indicate infection.

A doctor can prescribe antibiotics or other medications to treat infections in this area of the body.

Women can usually maintain vaginal health during pregnancy by doing the following:

Avoiding using tampons.
Avoiding douching.
Choosing unscented personal care products and feminine hygiene items, including unscented toilet paper and soaps.
Wearing panty liners to absorb excess discharge.
Wiping the genital region from front to back after passing urine or stool.
Drying the genitals thoroughly after showering or swimming.
Wearing underwear made from a breathable fabric.
Avoiding wearing tight jeans and nylon pantyhose, which increase the risk of infection.
Eating a healthful diet and avoiding too much sugar, which can encourage yeast infections.
Trying probiotic foods and supplements that are safe to consume during pregnancy, which may prevent bacterial imbalances in the vagina.

It is essential to discuss any unusual discharge with a doctor as this symptom may suggest an infection that requires treatment or an issue with the pregnancy. Without treatment, infections can lead to complications.

An increase in discharge during pregnancy is normal, but unusual discharge alongside strong odors or discomfort in the vagina or abdomen is often indicative of a health issue. This is also the case for discharge that is green, yellow, or gray.

Women should seek immediate medical care if they experience spotting or bleeding that is heavy, persists for more than a day, or occurs alongside pain or cramps.

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Is brown discharge at 7 weeks pregnant normal?

Brown vaginal discharge can be a normal sign of early pregnancy, but, alongside other symptoms, it can sometimes indicate complications. Anyone experiencing concerning changes in vaginal discharge or dark brown discharge should contact their doctor.

What color discharge is normal at 7 weeks pregnant?

Normal pregnancy discharge tends to be clear or milky white. So if you notice that your discharge is yellow, it could signal that something is up. Here's what you need to know, plus whether your symptoms warrant a call to your health care provider.

Does a miscarriage start with brown spotting?

Vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of miscarriage. This varies from light spotting or brown discharge, to a heavy bleed that may be heavier than a normal period. Light bleeding before 12 weeks (during your first trimester) of pregnancy can be quite common and is not always a sign of miscarriage.

Why is my discharge light brown while pregnant?

Having small amounts of brown discharge during pregnancy is common and usually isn't concerning. However, it is possible that there are other issues going on, like infections, pH changes or cervical dilation.