What Causes Brown Discharge During Pregnancy?

For some reasons, some blood in your uterus comes out, and that blood gets older, it turns brown colour. That means it comes out with either brown spotting or a brownish-coloured discharge.

Is Brown Discharge Quite Normal During Pregnancy?

The brown discharge during pregnancy is usually a normal thing when women pregnant and very common does not mean something is wrong with you or your baby. In many cases, it is completely harmless.

Top 8 Causes of Brownish Discharge During Pregnancy

More often than not, brown discharge during pregnancy is quite normal and has a simple explanation, like

1. The brown discharge during the first weeks of pregnancy can be due to the implantation bleeding.
2. The brown discharge during the last weeks of the pregnancy can be the sign of upcoming labour.

Nevertheless, sometimes it might not be as simple as it seems. Let us see what all will lead to a brown discharge during pregnancy.

1. Sexual Intercourse

During pregnancy, as the cervix becomes extra soft and sensitive, it is more prone to irritation. Sexual intercourse during this period can lead to brown discharge with or without slight pain.

2. Miscarriage

Brown discharge after the first few weeks of pregnancy can be an indication of a miscarriage. As the discharge is brown (indicating the old blood), instead of bright red, we could assume that the bleeding started quite some time before and, for some reasons, take a while to come out. Again, your doctor could only confirm this.

3. Missed Abortion

Unlike the miscarriage or spontaneous abortion, in missed abortion, the fetus stops developing, the heartbeat ceases, and the baby dies inside the uterus. Missed abortion can lead to brown discharge.

4. Molar Pregnancy

In this type of pregnancy, instead of the fetus, an abnormal growth of tissue that resembles a fetus grows inside the uterus. It is sometimes mistaken as pregnancy, hence the name. Brown discharge can be due to this phenomenon. Immediate medical attention is needed as this growth can easily turn out to be cancerous and life-threatening.

[Read : Everything About Molar Pregnancy]

5. Ectopic Pregnancy

Pregnancy that happens in the fallopian tube (though very rare), instead of the uterus is called an ectopic pregnancy. This can give rise to brown discharge as a result of internal haemorrhage.

6. Cervical Polyp

Small-elongated tumour grows on the surface of the cervical canal is known as a cervical polyp. Brown discharge is one of its symptoms.

7. Abnormalities of the Placenta

Placenta previa where the placenta is covering the opening of the cervix can cause brown discharge without pain.

8. Placental Abruption

When the placenta gets separated from the uterus, brown discharge with pain will follow.

[Read : Placental Abruption]

When Should I Seek Medical Attention If I Experience Brown Discharge At Pregnancy Time?

Even though the brown discharge can be harmless, there is an equal chance, that it could be a sign of some serious issues. Therefore, it is important to evaluate its quantity, appearance, and odour, and seek medical attention if something seems not normal. Look out for the following signs and if anyone of them is relevant for you, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

• Though it is quite normal to have a brown discharge due to implantation bleeding, it ought to be evaluated. Mild release, which can be managed by a pantry lining, is fine. All the same, if the discharge is in moderate levels, you should consult your physician right away.
• An occasional brown discharge during pregnancy, again, which can be managed by a pantry lining, is no cause to worry. However, brown discharge, which lasts longer than a week after having sex, or if the discharge is itchy or has a bad odour, consult your doctor immediately, as this could be a sign of some infections.
• Pain in the abdomen and clots or tissue in the brown discharge should be brought to the attention of your doctor immediately, as it indicates missed abortion, which needs an immediate uterine evacuation.
• Whenever the discharge is followed by abdominal cramps (even mild), foul smell, or have a watery like appearance, call your doctor.
• Fever and chills accompanying the brown discharge can be an indication of serious infections of kidney or uterus, which should immediately be brought to the attention of the doctor.
• Brown discharge accompanied by lightheadedness, severe pain and cramps can be a sign of ectopic gestation. It is a medical emergency as far as the life of the mother is considered, and the pregnancy should be terminated as soon as possible.

[Read : Cramps During Pregnancy]

What Should I Do If I Experience Brown Discharge?

Now you know the reasons and risks of brown discharge during the pregnancy. You also know when you should seek medical attention. The doctor will treat you according to the cause. Brown discharge is due to either significant issues or harmless causes; here are some measures that ensure the safety of both the mother and child.

1. Take Care of Yourself

Go to medical checkups regularly and complete all the checkups on time, so that any problems can diagnose and take treatment in the initial stage itself.

2. Reduce the Physical Activities

Avoid as many physical activities as you can, once you notice the brown discharge. Stay at it until you visit your doctor. Never lift weights even it seems like you could do it easily.

3. Take Plenty of Rest

Taking rest is the best thing you can do during pregnancy. Increase the time of your rest. Lie down as much as you can and relax your body.

4. Don’t Lift Heavy Objects

Don’t lift heavy objects during pregnancy because it makes more strain to your body and gets tired.

5. Reduce Stress and Workload

This refers to both the physical and mental health of pregnant women. Take help from family members or from some other to reduce your workload. Maintain peace of mind without taking more stress on you.

6. Elevate Your Feet

When sitting or lying down, prop your feet upward. This will aid with good blood circulation, cutting down the quantity of brown discharge.

7. Take Medication

The medication depends on the nature of the problem during pregnancy. Some women don’t require any medication also.

8. Stay Clean

Take extra care of your private parts. Always keep them clean and dry. This will prevent further chances of infection. Remember to use non-scented soaps. Never attempt to cleanse inside the vagina.

Read Also: Yellow Discharge During Pregnancy: What’s Normal And When To Seek Help?