Each representative of the weaker sex is forced to encounter vaginal discharge. They are cyclical in nature and directly depend on the production of certain hormones. Cervical fluid begins to appear with the advent of the first menstruation (menarche). Regular discharge ends when a woman enters menopause and subsequent menopause.
A separate situation is considered during the bearing of a child. Here everything changes somewhat. Almost every expectant mother is faced with the fact that she has discharge at 12 weeks of gestation. It is about them that we will discuss later. You will find out what mucus can leave the genitals during this period. You can also figure out what to do if you find discharge at 11-12 weeks of gestation.
What are they needed for…
Allocations at 12 weeks of gestation, as at earlier dates, occur for the simple reason that nature has intended this. This mucus is necessary for the formation of cork. It will be she who throughout the entire period will protect the future baby from penetration of microbes and bacteria into the uterus. The cork will come out immediately before childbirth.
Discharge at 12 weeks of pregnancy should not disturb a woman if there are no additional symptoms. When any other alarm signals join, you should consult a doctor. A specialist will examine you on a gynecological chair and evaluate the cervical mucus. For a more detailed study, the material is taken for analysis.
Normal discharge at 12 weeks of gestation - what should they be?
What should be normal cervical mucus? During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone acts. It is necessary for the normal tone of the uterus. Without it, the reproductive organ begins to contract and simply reject the fetus. It is under the influence of this substance that abundant separation of mucus from the vagina begins. In the first trimester, it has a transparent shade and can be slightly stretched. Externally, the mucus is a bit like egg white.
Allocations at 12-13 weeks of gestation can slightly change your character. They acquire a whitish or even milky hue. The amount of mucus can be quite plentiful. That is why gynecologists recommend future mothers to use disposable sanitary pads. In order to avoid the development of infection, they need to be changed regularly.
Candidiasis, or fungal infection (thrush) in pregnant women
White discharge at 12 weeks of gestation, which is accompanied by a sour smell, itching and lump formation, is thrush. This infection accompanies almost every expectant mother. However, not everyone has it so clearly. Many women do not experience the described inconvenience. However, yeast is found in their smear.
Thrush during pregnancy does not pose a particular threat to the baby. That is why such discharge at the 12th week of pregnancy is not treated. Correction is postponed to the second third of the term. The optimal time for drug therapy is 16 weeks. It is worth noting that men can be carriers of thrush without suffering from it. That is why both sexual partners should undergo treatment.
Sexually transmitted infections
Yellow discharge at 12 weeks of gestation indicates the presence of infection. At the same time, symptoms such as itching, an unpleasant "fishy" smell join in. Sometimes an increase in body temperature is possible. It is worth noting that this condition is very dangerous for the child. Possible infection of the membranes and their premature opening.
In case of genital tract infections, it is necessary to pass an analysis to determine them. Also, sensitivity to antibacterial agents is detected. Only then can appropriate medications be prescribed. An ideal option would be to cure the pathology several months before conception, but if this did not happen, then the correction is carried out after 18 weeks of pregnancy. Among the safest antibacterial agents are amoxicillin-based drugs. Other funds are assigned only when comparing risks and benefits.
Pelvic inflammatory processes
Dark discharge at 12 weeks of gestation may occur due to an inflammatory process. It is worth noting that most often the pathology extends to the genital organ. As a result of this, involuntary contractions occur. In some cases, this can cause a threat to terminate the pregnancy.
It is always necessary to treat pathology individually. There is no single medicine that suits everyone. In most cases, the inflammatory process in the uterus is eliminated with the help of antimicrobial compounds, tampons for vaginal administration, suppositories and immunomodulating drugs. However, not all of the listed medicines are approved for use by expectant mothers. Often the inflammatory process becomes the cause of abortion.
Hormonal disruptions in a woman’s body, or corpus luteum failure
Brown discharge at 12 weeks of gestation may occur due to a lack of hormone. Immediately after ovulation, a yellow body appears in place of the bursting follicle . It secretes the hormone progesterone. As you already know, this substance is simply necessary to maintain a normal pregnancy.
When progesterone is low, the uterus begins to contract involuntarily. This leads to the detachment of the attached fetal egg. A hematoma forms between the wall of the uterus and the embryo. The larger it is, the less likely it is to save the child. That is why you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Brown discharge is already clotted blood. That is, the hematoma was emptied several hours or days ago. It should be noted that not always exfoliation of the membranes leads to the fact that there are blood discharge at 12 weeks of pregnancy. The hematoma may not open, but dissolve on its own with appropriate treatment.
Gynecological examination and tissue damage
Pink discharge at 12 weeks of gestation may be the result of a gynecological examination. As a rule, at the end of the first trimester, doctors conduct planned examinations for expectant mothers. For this, gynecological mirrors are used. They help assess the condition of the cervix and take the necessary tests.
While waiting for the baby, all the mucous membranes become more sensitive. That is why the careless action of the doctor can slightly hurt the delicate area. The result is a small bleeding wound. When mixing blood droplets with normal secretions, they acquire a pinkish tint.
Cervical erosion
Spotting at 12 weeks gestation often becomes a sign of erosion. It is worth noting that the woman does not feel any other disturbing symptoms. Usually, discharge increases after sexual contact. They are not abundant. Expectant mother can notice only a slight “daub” on her underwear.
Cervical erosion is a pathology that is obviously not corrected before pregnancy. All due to the fact that the remaining scar can adversely affect the opening of the cervix and cause complications in childbirth. Erosion treatment is performed only after delivery, when the mucous membranes and tissues are restored. Often the problem disappears on its own.
Other causes of discharge at 12 weeks
During pregnancy, many women experience urinary incontinence. In some women, this occurs closer to childbirth. Others suffer from the moment of conception. If you find yellowish spots on your underwear, then it may be droplets of urine. In this case, the correction of the reproductive system will not help you. It is worth contacting a urologist and getting recommendations.
Violation of the microflora of the vagina can also cause secretions. However, they do not pose any threat to the unborn baby. Much more dangerous is the bleeding situation.
Brown discharge at 12 weeks gestation
This symptom is almost impossible not to notice. Most often, a woman finds brownish mucus on toilet paper, underwear, or while taking a shower. Their intensity can increase with physical exertion. Also, such causal relationships may be absent.
If you find brown discharge in yourself, you need to call a doctor as soon as possible or go to the hospital. The cause of their occurrence may be different changes. Only a specialist can determine your problem.
Why do they appear?
For what reason can a expectant mother at 12 weeks have brownish shades of vaginal mucus? As you already know, this may be a lack of progesterone. It is worth noting that this reason is the most common of all available.
A brown daub may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the woman feels severe pain in the lower abdomen (on the one hand). Also noted weakness, decreased heart rate. Inaction in such a situation can lead to internal bleeding and death.
Such mucus occurs after careless sexual intercourse, since all surfaces in the vagina acquire special sensitivity. The slightest effort can damage small vessels. In this case, there is no threat to the child.
Brown discharge detected at week 12 may appear due to abortion. In this case, we are talking about an abortion that has begun. However, doctors say that at this time the size of the fetus is very large. Therefore, to cleanse the uterus, a woman will need surgery (curettage).
What to do when a symptom is detected?
Brown discharge that occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy can be quite dangerous. In some cases, there is a threat to the life of not only the embryo, but also its mother.
If it is possible to terminate the pregnancy, doctors prescribe bed rest, sedatives, allowed in such situations. Medicines are also prescribed to help stop the uterine contractility. Progesterone-based hormonal drugs are prescribed for any bloody discharge up to 18 weeks of gestation.
With such a pathology as an ectopic pregnancy, a woman is given urgent surgical care. During the operation, a pathological egg is removed and the consequences of its development are eliminated.
Brown highlight and predictions after them
Any discharge during the first trimester of pregnancy should alert the expectant mother. Timely contact with a doctor increases the chance to save your baby's life. Remember that you can not carry out the correction yourself. Using certain medications can have a very bad effect on your condition. What drugs to take and when is it best to do this is determined by the doctor.
If you turned to a specialist on time, then the forecasts will be good. Remember that in such situations, it is not the days that play the role, but the hours and minutes. If bleeding occurs, stop it as soon as possible.
If a woman has experienced an ectopic pregnancy, then the prognosis will be better the sooner she goes to the doctor and gets an ambulance. Typically, the embryo in such situations attaches to the fallopian tube. Its rupture and subsequent removal reduces your chances of a subsequent pregnancy by about half.
Conclusion of the article
Pregnancy is the time when you give life and growth to your baby. Remember that this process must be approached very responsibly. After all, only a healthy woman can protect herself and her baby from problems. Be sure to be examined before planning. If necessary, undergo treatment. This will be the key to a good pregnancy and the absence of pathological secretions. All the best to you!