What changes occur in your body during the third trimester. How does your baby develop in the final weeks of pregnancy. What are the red flag symptoms to watch out for at 30 weeks.

Understanding the Third Trimester: Weeks 29-40

The third trimester marks the final phase of pregnancy, spanning from weeks 29 to 40. This crucial period is characterized by significant fetal growth and development, as well as numerous changes in the mother’s body. During these last few months, expectant mothers often experience a mix of excitement and discomfort as they prepare for the arrival of their baby.

Key points about the third trimester:

• Duration: Weeks 29-40 (months 7, 8, and 9)
• Focus: Final fetal development and preparation for birth
• Challenges: Can be physically and emotionally demanding

Fetal Development Milestones in the Third Trimester

During the third trimester, your baby undergoes remarkable changes and reaches important developmental milestones. Understanding these developments can help expectant parents appreciate the intricate process of fetal growth.

Size and Weight

By the end of the third trimester, a full-term baby typically measures:

• Length: 19-21 inches
• Weight: 6-9 pounds

Positioning for Birth

Around week 36, most babies begin to position themselves head-down in preparation for delivery. This process, known as “lightening,” involves the baby’s head moving into the pelvic area.

Sensory and Motor Development

In the third trimester, your baby achieves several sensory and motor milestones:

• Opens eyes and can see
• Develops hearing abilities
• Can suck thumb
• Capable of crying and smiling

Organ Maturation

Critical organ systems continue to develop and mature:

• Brain development progresses
• Lungs and kidneys mature
• Muscle tone improves
• Body fat increases to about 16%

Physical Features

Several physical changes occur during this period:

• Skull bones remain soft to facilitate delivery
• Eyes are typically blue, changing color after birth
• Nails grow to the ends of fingers and toes
• Vernix caseosa (protective coating) covers the skin
• Lanugo (soft body hair) begins to disappear

Maternal Body Changes in the Third Trimester

As your baby grows, your body undergoes various changes to accommodate the developing fetus and prepare for childbirth. These changes can lead to both physical discomfort and emotional fluctuations.

Abdominal Discomfort

Why do many women experience abdominal discomfort in the third trimester? As your baby grows larger, it occupies more space in your abdomen, which can lead to:

• Difficulty finding comfortable sleeping positions
• Shortness of breath due to reduced lung capacity
• General aches and pains in the abdominal area

Back Pain

Back pain is a common complaint during the third trimester. The extra weight gain and changes in your center of gravity contribute to this discomfort. To alleviate back pain:

• Practice good posture
• Use supportive chairs
• Sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs
• Wear comfortable shoes with good arch support
• Use a heating pad (with doctor’s approval)

Braxton-Hicks Contractions

Many women experience Braxton-Hicks contractions during the third trimester. These “practice” contractions help prepare the uterus for labor. How can you distinguish Braxton-Hicks from true labor contractions?

• Braxton-Hicks are usually milder and irregular
• True labor contractions become more intense and frequent over time
• If contractions are regular and increasingly intense, contact your healthcare provider

Breast Changes

Your breasts continue to change in preparation for breastfeeding:

• Further enlargement (up to 2 pounds)
• Possible leakage of colostrum (early breast milk)
• Increased sensitivity

Sleep Disturbances

Many women experience sleep issues in the third trimester. What factors contribute to these disturbances?

• Vivid dreams or nightmares due to hormonal changes
• Difficulty finding comfortable sleeping positions
• Increased need to urinate during the night
• Anxiety or excitement about the upcoming birth

Red Flag Symptoms to Watch For

While many changes during the third trimester are normal, certain symptoms may indicate potential complications. It’s crucial to be aware of these red flags and seek medical attention if they occur.

Vaginal Bleeding

Is vaginal bleeding always a cause for concern in the third trimester? While light spotting can sometimes be normal, any bleeding should be reported to your healthcare provider. Heavy bleeding or bleeding accompanied by pain may indicate serious conditions such as:

• Placenta previa
• Placental abruption
• Preterm labor

Sudden Rush of Fluid

A sudden gush of fluid may indicate that your water has broken. While this is normal at the onset of labor, it can be concerning if it happens too early. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience this symptom, especially if it occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Severe or Persistent Headaches

Headaches that are severe, persistent, or accompanied by visual disturbances may be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.

Decreased Fetal Movement

By the third trimester, you should feel regular fetal movements. If you notice a significant decrease in your baby’s activity, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider for evaluation.

Managing Common Third Trimester Discomforts

While some discomfort is normal during the third trimester, there are strategies to help alleviate common symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

Combating Fatigue

Fatigue is common in the third trimester due to the physical demands of pregnancy and sleep disturbances. How can you manage fatigue?

• Prioritize rest and sleep when possible
• Maintain a balanced diet for sustained energy
• Engage in gentle exercise, such as prenatal yoga or walking
• Ask for help with daily tasks from family and friends

Alleviating Swelling

Swelling, particularly in the feet and ankles, is common during the third trimester. To reduce swelling:

• Elevate your feet when sitting or lying down
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid standing for long periods
• Consider wearing compression stockings (with doctor’s approval)

Managing Heartburn

Heartburn often worsens in the third trimester as the growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach. To alleviate heartburn:

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid spicy, fatty, or acidic foods
• Don’t lie down immediately after eating
• Use pillows to elevate your upper body while sleeping
• Ask your doctor about safe antacids

Preparing for Labor and Delivery

As you approach your due date, it’s important to prepare both physically and mentally for labor and delivery. Taking proactive steps can help you feel more confident and ready for the birthing process.

Creating a Birth Plan

A birth plan outlines your preferences for labor and delivery. While it’s important to remain flexible, a birth plan can help communicate your wishes to your healthcare team. Consider including:

• Pain management preferences
• Who you want present during labor
• Preferences for interventions
• Immediate postpartum care wishes

Packing Your Hospital Bag

Having your hospital bag ready by 36 weeks ensures you’re prepared for labor, whether it starts early or on time. What should you include in your hospital bag?

• Comfortable clothing for labor and postpartum
• Personal care items
• Going-home outfit for you and baby
• Camera or phone for photos
• Important documents (ID, insurance information)

Recognizing Signs of Labor

Understanding the signs of labor can help you determine when it’s time to head to the hospital. Common signs include:

• Regular, intensifying contractions
• Rupture of membranes (water breaking)
• Bloody show (discharge of blood-tinged mucus)
• Lower back pain or pelvic pressure

Emotional Preparation for Parenthood

The third trimester isn’t just about physical preparation; it’s also a time of emotional transition as you prepare to welcome your new baby. Addressing your emotional needs and concerns is crucial for a positive birth experience and transition to parenthood.

Managing Anxiety and Excitement

It’s normal to feel a mix of anxiety and excitement as your due date approaches. How can you manage these emotions?

• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
• Discuss your feelings with your partner, friends, or a therapist
• Educate yourself about labor and newborn care to feel more prepared
• Join a prenatal support group to connect with other expectant parents

Nurturing Your Relationship

The transition to parenthood can impact your relationship with your partner. Take time during the third trimester to:

• Communicate openly about your expectations and concerns
• Plan special dates or activities together before the baby arrives
• Discuss how you’ll share parenting responsibilities
• Consider taking a childbirth or newborn care class together

Preparing Siblings

If you have other children, helping them prepare for a new sibling is important. How can you involve older children in the preparation process?

• Read books about becoming a big brother or sister
• Allow them to help set up the nursery or choose items for the baby
• Discuss how their role in the family will change and grow
• Plan special one-on-one time with each child after the baby arrives

As you navigate the final weeks of pregnancy, remember that every experience is unique. Trust your instincts, stay in close communication with your healthcare provider, and don’t hesitate to ask for support when needed. The third trimester may present challenges, but it’s also a time of anticipation and joy as you prepare to meet your new baby.

What to Expect, Fetal Development

Written by Stephanie Watson

In this Article

• What Is the Third Trimester?
• New Fetal Development
• Third Trimester Changes in Your Body
• Red Flag Symptoms
• Third Trimester Tips for Twins

The third trimester is the last phase of your pregnancy. It lasts from weeks 29 to 40, or months 7, 8, and 9. During this trimester, your baby grows, develops, and starts to change position to get ready for birth.

Now that you’ve reached the third trimester, you’re in the home stretch of your pregnancy. You’ve only got a few more weeks to go, but this part of your pregnancy can be the most challenging.

In the third trimester, your baby keeps growing. By the end, a full-term baby usually is between 19 and 21 inches long and between 6 and 9 pounds.

Your baby begins to turn itself head-down to get ready for delivery. At week 36, the baby’s head should begin to move into your pelvic area, also called lightening. It will stay in this down-facing position for the last 2 weeks of your pregnancy.

Your baby develops in other important ways in the third trimester. During this phase, it’s able to:

• Open its eyes and see
• Hear
• Suck on its thumb
• Cry
• Smile

Your baby’s brain continues to develop. Its lungs and kidneys mature. It gains muscle tone and about 16% body fat. The bones at the top of its skull are soft to ease delivery. Most babies have blue eyes at this stage, and they’ll stay that color until a few days or weeks after they’re born. It also has nails on its toes and reaching to the ends of its fingers. If it’s a boy, the testes have descended into the scrotum.

During the third trimester, the vernix caseosa, a protective coating, covers your fetus’ skin. Soft body hair called the lanugo falls out and is almost gone by the end of week 40.

• Abdominal achiness. As your baby grows, it takes up more room in your abdomen. This can cause you to have some aches and discomfort. You may find it hard to get comfortable when you’re in bed at night trying to go to sleep. You may even feel like it’s harder to take deep breaths.
• Backache. The extra weight you’ve gained puts added pressure on your back, making it feel achy and sore. You might also feel discomfort in your pelvis and hips as your ligaments loosen to prepare for labor. To ease the pressure on your back, try to practice good posture. Sit up straight and use a chair that provides good back support. At night, sleep on your side with a pillow tucked between your legs. Wear low-heeled, comfortable shoes with good arch support. To ease back pain, use a heating pad. Ask your doctor whether it’s OK for you to take acetaminophen.
• Bleeding. Some light bleeding toward the end of your pregnancy might be a sign that labor is starting. But spotting may sometimes be a sign of a serious problem, including placenta previa (the placenta grows low and covers the cervix), placental abruption (separation of the placenta from the uterine wall), or preterm labor. Call your doctor as soon as you notice any bleeding.
• Braxton-Hicks contractions. You might start to feel mild contractions, which are warm-ups to prepare your uterus for the real labor to come. Braxton-Hicks contractions often aren’t as intense as real labor contractions, but they may feel a lot like labor and can eventually progress to it. One main difference is that real contractions gradually get closer and closer together — and more intense. If you’re red in the face and out of breath after your contractions, or they’re coming regularly, call your doctor.
• Breast enlargement and leaking. By the end of your pregnancy, your breasts will have grown by as much as 2 pounds. Make sure you’re wearing a supportive bra so your back doesn’t suffer. Close to your due date, you may start to see a yellowish fluid leaking from your nipples. This substance, called colostrum, will nourish your baby in the first few days after birth.
• Vivid dreams. It’s common to have more vivid dreams or nightmares in your third trimester. This can disrupt your sleep. Your wild dreams are likely caused by changes in hormone levels from pregnancy.
• Clumsiness. You may feel clumsy or out of balance during the third trimester. You may drop things. Part of the reason is that you’ve gained weight in your belly area.  That makes it harder to balance your body.
• Discharge. You might see more vaginal discharge during the third trimester. If the flow is heavy enough to soak through your panty liners, call your doctor. Close to your delivery date, you might see a thick, clear, or slightly blood-tinged discharge. This is your mucus plug, and it’s a sign that your cervix has begun dilating in preparation for labor. If you experience a sudden rush of fluid, it may mean that your water has broken (although only about 8% of pregnant women have their water break before contractions begin). Call your doctor as soon as possible after your water breaks.
• Fatigue. You might have been feeling energetic in your second trimester, but are weary now. Carrying extra weight, waking up several times during the night to go to the bathroom, and dealing with the anxiety of preparing for a baby can all take a toll on your energy level. Eat healthy food and get regular exercise to give yourself a boost. When you feel tired, try to take a nap, or at least sit down and relax for a few minutes. You need to reserve all your strength now for when your baby arrives and you’re really not getting any sleep.
• Frequent urination. Now that your baby is bigger, its head may be pressing down on your bladder. That extra pressure means you’ll have to go to the bathroom more frequently — including several times each night. You might also find that you’re leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise. To relieve the pressure and prevent leakage, go to the bathroom whenever you feel the urge and urinate completely each time. Avoid drinking fluids right before bedtime to cut down on unwanted late-night bathroom visits. Wear a panty liner to absorb any leakage. Let your doctor know if you have any pain or burning with urination. These can be signs of a urinary tract infection.
• Heartburn and constipation. They’re caused by extra production of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes certain muscles — including the muscles in your esophagus that normally keep food and acids down in your stomach, and the ones that move digested food through your intestines. To relieve heartburn, try eating more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day and avoid greasy, spicy, and acidic foods (like citrus fruits). For constipation, increase your fiber intake and drink extra fluids to keep things moving more smoothly. If heartburn or constipation is really bothering you, talk to your doctor about what medications may be safe for you to take for symptom relief.
• Hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are actually varicose veins — swollen veins that form around the anus. These veins enlarge during pregnancy because extra blood is flowing through them and the weight of pregnancy increases the amount of pressure to the area. To relieve the itch and discomfort, try sitting in a warm tub or sitz bath. Ask your doctor whether you can also try an over-the-counter hemorrhoid ointment or stool softener.
• Sciatica. Nerve pain that shoots from your lower back to your buttocks and down your leg is more likely in the third trimester. Sciatica may be caused by hormone changes during pregnancy, or because your baby’s growing body presses against the sciatic nerve. Sciatica pain may come and go or be constant. Yoga, massage, or physical therapy are ways to relieve the pain, but it usually goes away after your baby is born.
• Shortness of breath. As your uterus expands, it rises up until it sits just under your rib cage, leaving less room for your lungs to expand. That added pressure on your lungs can make it more difficult to breathe. Exercising can help with shortness of breath. You can also try propping up your head and shoulders with pillows while you sleep.
• Spider and varicose veins. Your circulation has increased to send extra blood to your growing baby. That excess blood flow can cause tiny red veins, known as spider veins, to appear on your skin. Spider veins may get worse in your third trimester, but they should fade once your baby is born. Pressure on your legs from your growing baby may also cause some surface veins in your legs to become swollen and blue or purple. These are called varicose veins. They should improve within a few months after you deliver. Although there’s no way to avoid varicose veins, you can prevent them from getting worse by:
  • Getting up and moving throughout the day
  • Wearing support hose
  • Propping up your legs whenever you have to sit for long periods.
• Stretch marks. You may develop stretch marks on your breasts, butt, tummy, or thighs. Stretch marks are a type of scar that happens when your skin stretches during pregnancy. Not everyone gets them. If you do, they may be red, purple, pink, or brown in color.
• Swelling. Your rings might be feeling tighter these days, and you may also notice that your ankles and face are looking bloated. Mild swelling is the result of excess fluid retention (edema). To reduce swelling, put your feet up on a stool or box whenever you sit for any length of time, and elevate your feet while you sleep. If you have sudden onset of swelling, seek medical attention immediately as it may be a sign of preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication.
• Weight gain. Aim for a weight gain of 1/2 pound to 1 pound a week during your third trimester. By the end of your pregnancy, you should have put on a total of about 25 to 35 pounds (your doctor may have recommended that you gain more or less weight if you started out your pregnancy underweight or overweight). The extra pounds you’ve put on are made up of the baby’s weight, plus the placenta, amniotic fluid, increased blood and fluid volume, and added breast tissue. If your baby seems to be too small or too big based on the size of your belly, your doctor will do an ultrasound to check the baby’s growth.

Any of these symptoms could be a sign that something is wrong with your pregnancy. Don’t wait for your regular prenatal visit to talk about it. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain or cramps
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Bleeding
• Severe dizziness
• Pain or burning during urination
• Rapid weight gain (more than 6.5 pounds per month) or too little weight gain

Expecting twins? You might want to add these things to your third trimester to-do list:

• Go stroller shopping. Side-by-side or tandem? Take a few double strollers for a test drive to see which type feels best to you. Look for one that’s easy to open and maneuver.
• Get breastfeeding tips.Breastfeeding two babies is more of a challenge than one, but you can definitely do it. Ask your doctor ahead of time for tips.
• Check your iron. Ask your doctor if you need to take iron supplements. As a mom-to-be of twins, you’re four times more likely to have iron-deficiency anemia.
• Know the signs of preeclampsia. Carrying twins doubles your risk of this serious condition. Tell your doctor right away if you have a headache, trouble seeing, or sudden weight gain.
• Find a support group. Start looking for groups of moms of multiples in your area. You may appreciate exchanging tips and getting support from other moms in the same boat.
• Create a schedule. Read up on how to get your twins on the same sleeping and eating schedule. Learning some tips now may save your sanity when you have two newborns.

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Bleeding during pregnancy: When to worry about spotting in pregnancy

A little light bleeding or spotting during pregnancy is common, especially during the first trimester. It’s usually nothing serious, but tell your provider just in case. If you have bleeding that’s heavy or doesn’t stop, call your provider right away.

Is it normal to have spotting during pregnancy?

A little light bleeding or spotting during pregnancy is common, especially in early pregnancy. Up to one in four pregnant women have some light bleeding in their first trimester. But even if the bleeding seems to have stopped, call your doctor, just to make sure everything is okay.

Spotting or light bleeding in pregnancy is probably from something minor. But it could also be a sign of a serious problem, such as an ectopic pregnancy, a miscarriage, or an infection.

Your doctor may want to do some tests, which can include a physical exam, an ultrasound, and blood tests, to check how well you and your baby are doing and to rule out any complications.

If you’re actively bleeding or you have severe pain and can’t reach your doctor, head to the emergency room right away.

What’s the difference between spotting and bleeding during pregnancy?

Spotting is very light bleeding, similar to what you may have at the very beginning or end of your period. It will look like small drops of blood on your underwear, varying in color from pink to red to brown (the color of dried blood). Pregnancy spotting is common, especially during the first three months.

Bleeding means that you need to wear a panty liner or pad to avoid soaking your underwear. And heavy bleeding will soak through one or more pads. Continued or heavy bleeding could signal a problem with your pregnancy, which is why it’s important to share with your doctor right away.

Early pregnancy bleeding: What causes it?

The most common causes of light spotting or bleeding during early pregnancy include:

Implantation. Some women have spotting even before they know they’re pregnant, about a week or so after they ovulate. It’s called “implantation bleeding” because it happens when the fertilized egg burrows (or implants) into the blood-rich lining of the uterus, a process that starts just six days after fertilization.

If you have a day or two of spotting in the week before your period is due, take a home pregnancy test. If the result is negative, wait a few days or a week. If your period doesn’t start when you expect it, try testing again.

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Subchorionic hematoma. Also called a subchorionic hemorrhage, this kind of bleeding can happen when the outer layer of the amniotic sac (chorion) separates from the wall of the uterus. It’s usually harmless and stops on its own. Small collections of blood like this early on are typically harmless. But if the collection of blood is larger, it will take longer to reabsorb, or go away. This can raise the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor, so your doctor may want to check on it regularly with ultrasound.

Miscarriage. Spotting or bleeding in the first trimester, especially if you also have abdominal pain or cramping, can be an early sign of miscarriage. But it isn’t necessarily a sign, and actually, about half of women who miscarry don’t have any bleeding prior to diagnosis. Other signs of a possible miscarriage are discharge of liquid or tissue from your vagina, and no longer feeling any pregnancy symptoms (like morning sickness). If feeling better is your only symptom, however, try not to worry! Many pregnant women don’t experience nausea in the first trimester and have very healthy pregnancies.

Ectopic pregnancy. Early pregnancy bleeding also can warn of an ectopic pregnancy – when the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. Sometimes bleeding is the only sign, but other common symptoms include pain in the belly, pelvis, or shoulder. An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening, so let your doctor know right away if you have bleeding or moderate to severe pain in your first trimester.

Molar pregnancy. This rare complication happens when the placenta doesn’t develop properly, and it can’t sustain the embryo. A molar pregnancy can be serious, and it needs prompt treatment.

Infection. An infection can irritate or inflame your cervix and make it more likely to bleed, especially after you have sex. These are some of the infections that can cause bleeding:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Herpes
• Yeast infection
• Trichomoniasis

Because certain infections can cause pregnancy complications, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics or another treatment.

You might also notice some spotting or light bleeding after sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam. More blood flows to your cervix during pregnancy, so it’s not unusual. A cervical polyp (a noncancerous growth on the cervix) can also cause spotting or bleeding after sex or an exam.

What causes second or third trimester bleeding?

Bleeding later in pregnancy might also be nothing to worry about. Light bleeding could be a sign of harmless inflammation, a cervical polyp, or other changes in your cervix. And a few days before your delivery date, bloody discharge called “show” is a sign that your cervix is getting ready for labor.

Heavy bleeding late in your pregnancy is a more worrisome sign. It’s worth making a call to your doctor right away.

Here are some common causes of bleeding in your second and third trimesters:

Placental problems. Bleeding or spotting after the first trimester can be a sign of a problem with the placenta, such as:

• Placenta previa, when the placenta partially or fully covers the cervix; usually this is diagnosed at your mid-pregnancy ultrasound or anatomy scan. Your placental location will continue to be monitored as pregnancy progresses, and your obstetrician will recommend that you abstain from intercourse as long as the placenta is over or near the cervix.
• Placenta accreta, when the placenta becomes abnormally embedded in the uterine wall. Although this is a rare complication, the risk slowly increases with each cesarean delivery.
• Placental abruption, when the placenta entirely or partially separates from the wall of the uterus. This is more likely to occur as a result of trauma (car accident, domestic violence), uncontrolled hypertension, or labor.

Late miscarriage. Most miscarriages happen in the first trimester, but bleeding between 13 weeks and the middle of your pregnancy can be a sign of late miscarriage.

Preterm labor. Bleeding is one sign of preterm labor (labor that starts before 37 weeks). Other symptoms are:

• Abdominal pain, cramps, or contractions
• Low backache
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Pressure in your pelvis or lower abdomen

How much bleeding during pregnancy is normal?

Some light bleeding is normal, especially early in your pregnancy when the fertilized egg implants. But really, bleeding can happen at any point in your pregnancy, and for many different reasons. And because some causes are more serious than others, it’s always a good idea to let your provider know about it.

Heavier bleeding that soaks through a pad, or bleeding that doesn’t go away is more concerning. It could signal a serious problem with your pregnancy that needs immediate medical attention. Calling your doctor right away or going to an emergency room could help you head off a problem and protect both your health and your baby’s.

When should I call my doctor about spotting or bleeding during pregnancy?

Any type or amount of bleeding in pregnancy is worth calling your doctor about, to make sure that nothing is wrong. This is important, even if your last ultrasound showed that your baby is healthy and growing according to schedule.

Heavy or consistent bleeding is a reason to call immediately. Your doctor can check for any problems, and either reassure you that you’re ok, or treat the problem.

When you call your doctor, let them know how long you’ve been bleeding and how much you’ve bled. Also tell them about other symptoms, like cramps, that you’ve had along with the bleeding. Also, be sure to be honest with them about recent sexual activity and medical history when you call.

Lastly, whenever the bleeding occurs, if your blood type is RH-negative, your doctor will want to make sure you get a Rhogam shot to protect future pregnancies. Call your doctor if you are RH-negative and have bleeding anytime in pregnancy. If you are RH-positive, this isn’t something you have to worry about.

Learn more:

• Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
• Vaginal discharge during pregnancy
• Rectal bleeding during pregnancy

how to cure, causes, symptoms, prevention, doctor’s advice, consequences

If discharge occurs at the 30th week of pregnancy, women need to know their nature in order to eliminate any deviations in a timely manner.

Contents of the article

What can manifest itself?

In the third trimester there is an active preparation of the body for labor and this week is no exception. At this time, a woman may notice some discharge from the genital tract of different colors, each of which has its own cause and possible danger for the further course of the perinatal period.

Discharge at the 30th week of pregnancy:

• Norm is a homogeneous consistency, light yellow or grayish in color, with a slightly sour smell.
• Mucous with an unpleasant and pungent odor, having clots – the presence of an infectious disease. May be accompanied by contractions or be asymptomatic. Possible inflammation of the membranes, which threatens premature outflow of amniotic fluid. You should immediately consult a doctor, as damage to the membranes leads to intrauterine infection.
• Bloody discharge during pregnancy at 30 weeks may indicate placental abruption. Hospitalization must be immediate. Sometimes they can even have a brown tint, which is not a good sign, especially if there is pain in the abdominal region and hardening of the uterus. This condition threatens the life of the mother and the unborn child.
• Watery type – amniotic fluid leakage. The main complication is lack of water.
• Mucus plug in the form of a large lump of white or yellowish color with small bloody streaks – a normal process, but very dangerous at this time.

Danger of this condition

Any deviation from the norm can lead to irreversible consequences.

If you have a heavy discharge at 30 weeks of gestation, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Consequences:

• Placental abruption, hypoxia, intrauterine death of the infant.
• Penetration of infections to the fetus, development of pathologies, deviations in formation.
• The formation of oligohydramnios, which leads to a lack of oxygen and nutrients for the child.
• Preterm delivery. At this time, it is dangerous.

Monitor your condition carefully. Contact your doctor immediately if you feel unwell. Remember, pathological discharge is a reason for additional examination.

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During pregnancy, a woman’s body transforms, adapting to carrying a baby and preparing for the upcoming birth. Many expectant mothers are concerned about changes in vaginal discharge: their volume and color may change alert.

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Article verified by an expert, obstetrician-gynecologist

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Marina Alexandrovna Boyko

obstetrician-gynecologist, member of ISSVD (International Society for Vulvovaginal Diseases) and ASEG (Association of Specialists in Aesthetic Gynecology),
Clinic “ART-ECO”

During pregnancy, life is filled with new meaning and sensations. In addition to a high emotional load, a woman experiences serious physical transformations – from hormonal to metabolic processes. The body adapts to new conditions, responding to them with certain reactions. He may continue to secrete a secret of a different nature and color. Therefore, it is important to monitor what is happening and not ignore the development of an unfavorable situation. We will tell you in detail what kind of discharge during pregnancy occurs in the early and late stages.

Why discharge occurs during pregnancy

By itself, discharge from the genital tract in women is normal. They are necessary to moisturize the vaginal wall and protect the genitals from infectious agents. Naturally, physiologically normal discharges are not accompanied by sensations such as pain, burning, and do not lead to redness and swelling of the skin and mucous membrane of the external genital organs. Their abundance is affected by the following indicators:

• the phase of the cycle, when after menstruation they become less, and during the period of ovulation more
• the presence of infections and inflammations, including in the pelvic organs
• sexual contacts, their frequency and the use of contraceptives
• wearing synthetic underwear

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Many women note that during pregnancy, the discharge changes even before the delay of menstruation. So the body gradually adapts to a new state. The fact is that in the first time after conception, a serious hormonal restructuring occurs. The role of the hormone progesterone as a regulator of pregnancy increases significantly, as does the level of estrogen. The reproductive organs begin to function in an enhanced mode, so the discharge may be unusual and vary depending on the trimester.

For example, in the early stages, up to 12 weeks, atypical discharge occurs in three out of ten pregnant women. They are different in color – from transparent to dark brown and in consistency – viscous or liquid. In most cases, we are talking about natural changes in the body, although not always. What discharge is considered normal during pregnancy:

• white or transparent
• without a sharp and unpleasant odor
• within the allowed volume (2-3 ml or about a teaspoon)
• without itching, pulling pain in the lower abdomen, burning

When the first or second week of pregnancy goes, the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus, growing into the endometrium, contacting the mother’s body, so there may be light brown discharge. They are observed within a few hours or a couple of days. They can become thicker, but not necessarily, and this is also considered the norm.

Types of discharge during pregnancy and their differences

The mucous plug on the cervix, necessary to protect against the penetration of microbes, appears due to progesterone. And more liquid, often viscous discharge during pregnancy becomes due to the influence of estrogen.

White discharge

Uniform density, matte white, without foreign smell and any clots of discharge are often noticeable throughout the entire period of gestation. If itching and burning join the white discharge during pregnancy, and they themselves become like thick kefir, this may already be a thrush. Vaginal candidiasis often accompanies women in position. The acidity of the vagina changes and it becomes sensitive to fungal microorganisms.

Fungi of the genus Candida are found in small numbers even in healthy women. As soon as the immune system weakens, they begin to multiply actively and cause unpleasant symptoms. The mucous membrane turns red, the itching intensifies, especially after a shower, and there is a burning sensation when urinating. It is impossible to take medications on your own, including vaginal ones, or douching. You need to talk about these signs to the doctor who will prescribe the treatment. If light discharge during pregnancy does not bother you, you do not need to deal with them.

Brown discharge

Colored mucus most often causes fear among expectant mothers, immediately there is a feeling that something has gone wrong. Brown discharge during pregnancy is not always dangerous during pregnancy. First of all, they mean the presence of an admixture of a very small amount of blood. As a rule, they are scarce and stop fairly quickly.

In early pregnancy, brown discharge is acceptable on the days when menstruation is due. Women often see them even before the delay – this is a mixture of cervical mucus and old blood with destroyed red blood cells. If a daily pad is enough for several hours, then they are considered moderately plentiful. If the “daub” persists for more than two days, you must consult a doctor.

Normally, the expectant mother sees them only in the first month after conception. At other times they should not be. Also, the pungent smell of brown mucus indicates the presence of an infection and a gynecologist’s consultation is required.

Yellow discharge

If a woman had light yellow discharge before pregnancy, it may also appear during pregnancy. They also occur due to desquamation of the epithelial cells lining the vagina. The beige shade is manifested due to the destruction of red blood cells that are in the vagina after washing, sexual contact, and the use of suppositories. It is better to see a doctor when such a secret is noted for more than a day.

What should alert you is the rich bright color – almost orange, which is typical for the development of venereal diseases. Yellow-green bubbling mucus occurs with inflammation provoked by Trichomonas. In addition, it may be a symptom of dysbacteriosis with the growth of opportunistic microorganisms. Again, with itching, burning, fever, frequent urination, pain in the genital area, you should urgently contact a gynecologist. A consultation will not hurt even in the presence of yellow discharge without other symptoms – only a doctor can determine their potential danger.

Pink discharge

Scanty, with small streaks of blood, pink discharge during pregnancy is quite common. They are associated with the stage of implantation of the ovum about a week after conception. During this period, there may not yet be a delay. Also, at an early stage, the body produces the amount of hormones corresponding to the first phase of the monthly cycle. Implantation secretions are noticeable even three weeks after fertilization. It is important to remember, as we mentioned above, that a meager and short (several hours) secret is considered the norm.

In general, if the pregnancy is between two and twelve weeks, pink discharge without other indicators (pain, itching, etc.) is not dangerous. They say that fertilization was successful. The transition to a reddish and even more so burgundy shade already poses a threat of termination of pregnancy, including when there are pulling pains in the lumbar region. This is a must-see.

Bloody discharge

It is important to consider how much blood is being shed. Not too voluminous spotting during pregnancy sometimes appears due to the implantation of the embryo to the uterine wall. As we have already said, you should not be afraid of them. But there are more serious reasons why expectant mothers notice traces of fresh blood on underwear or pads.

Spotting may occur in the first half of pregnancy until 22 weeks. Then they can become the result of the following pathologies:

• premature detachment of the ovum
• ectopic pregnancy
• spontaneous abortion
• non-developing pregnancy
• vessel rupture during intercourse

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If we are talking about later dates, then the causes of bloody discharge become trauma to the polyp, cervical erosion, premature detachment of the placenta and premature birth. Allocations, very similar to menstruation, require special attention during pregnancy, it doesn’t matter if there are a lot of them or a little. You need to urgently contact a gynecologist who will issue a referral for an ultrasound scan.

Discharge at different stages of pregnancy

What is considered normal in the first weeks after conception is not always acceptable in subsequent trimesters. Let’s talk about at what stage of pregnancy the discharge reflects the problem and requires special medical control.

First trimester discharge

In some women (about 15%), spotting occurs about a week after fertilization. This is 18-22 days from the date of the beginning of the last menstruation. At this stage, the secret may be pale pink and brown. If a woman notices such slight discharge in the early stages of pregnancy, perhaps even before a delay, nothing bad happens in the body. Of course, if we are talking about two or three drops of vaginal fluid.

As we have already described, at this time the embryo is introduced into the uterine tissue: in the process of embryo implantation, damage to small vessels occurs. Hence a few stains on the linen. Note that some women mistakenly take discharge for signs of pregnancy. Yes, they can indirectly report it, but the test indicators, hCG analysis, and ultrasound results are more accurate.

Also in the 1st trimester, brown discharge may disappear and reappear, because sometimes there is not enough progesterone and there is a threat of termination of pregnancy. In general, hormonal changes are often accompanied by white or yellow secretions. Abundant spotting and the presence of other symptoms – itching, pain, change in smell, and so on should alert.

Discharge in the second trimester

Due to the increase in estrogen activity, the discharge becomes less viscous and more abundant. The liquid white secret continues to protect the vagina from germs, but only if it is free of inclusions and an unpleasant odor. Such discharge during pregnancy is considered normal in the 2nd trimester. But the abundant and frequent brown “daub”, noticed in the period from 14 to 28 weeks, is already the result of the development of pathologies in the development of the fetus, placental abruption or cervical injury. In the next few hours, the woman will need qualified help.

Bloody discharge during pregnancy in this trimester is the result of various conditions:

• low placental attachment
• placental abruption
• hydatidiform mole, when the embryo does not develop, and the chorion grows into vesicles with fluid 9 0017
• intrauterine death of an embryo in multiple pregnancy

If the secretion lasts longer than two days, looks copious, is accompanied by pain, no need to wait. It is urgent to contact a specialist.

Discharge in the third trimester

The closer to the final, the more abundant the vaginal discharge becomes. Moderate yellow or white discharge in the later stages rarely speaks of pathology. At the same time, they may indicate that the mucous plug is moving away, amniotic fluid is leaking, the fetal head is pressed against the cervix. Bloody discharge during pregnancy at the onset of the 3rd trimester may also indicate this. This happens after an examination by a gynecologist, when the uterus was greatly disturbed. The most harmless indicator is the natural removal of the mucous plug, which means that in a few days labor will begin.

Unfortunately, there are also dangerous causes of bloody secretions: placental abruption and placenta previa. Also, yellow discharge without impurities is considered harmless. But they also talk about leakage of amniotic fluid in the third trimester, which poses a threat to the child until the 37th week, when he is considered premature. It is also possible infection of the amniotic fluid or the inner membranes of the fetus. In this case, the temperature rises, and an excess of the number of leukocytes is noticeable in the smear.

Which discharge during pregnancy is dangerous

Based on the foregoing, it is rather difficult to meet pregnancy without discharge. They are needed to protect the genital organs from external influences, and also serve as an additional signal demonstrating the presence of pathology. We will tell you when you need to contact a gynecologist without delay.

• Abundant bloody may indicate uterine bleeding and injury to the vaginal mucosa.
• Curds with a sour smell, burning and itching indicate the development of thrush.
• Bright red secretion accompanied by nausea, edema, vomiting, hypertension may indicate a mole – immediately see a doctor!
• Lack of growth of hCG in the blood, spotting, drop in blood pressure, weakness, pulling pains in the lower abdomen – symptoms of ectopic attachment.
• Abundant clots, sharp pains along with vomiting and diarrhea are sometimes noted in miscarriages.
• Yellow-green discharge with a putrid odor indicates the manifestation of an infectious disease.

By the way, with a plentiful secret, it is permissible to use only gaskets.