Brown Discharge During Pregnancy: Is It Normal And Causes

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Brown discharge during pregnancy may occur due to various reasons, some of which are harmless, while a few others indicate some complications. Light to dark brownish discharge during pregnancy may occur in the later stages when old blood in the uterus flows through the cervixⁱThe lower, narrow end of the uterus which forms a passage to the vagina and mixes with vaginal discharge (1). Though most cases are due to benign reasons, it is wise to see a doctor. Read this post to learn what may cause brown discharge and what to do about it.

What Is Brown Discharge During Pregnancy?

Brown discharge can vary in its color from light to dark brown and emanate a slight odor; its consistency can differ from thin to thick. Brown discharge is a normal occurrence during the menstrual cycle and can happen at any time. The brown color is caused by oxidation of the blood exposed to air due to delayed discharge from the body (1). Pregnant women can have brown discharge anytime during pregnancy for various reasons. You should look for coexisting symptoms to know if you need medical care.

Is Brown Discharge Normal During Pregnancy?

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Infographic: What Could Cause A Brown Discharge In Each Trimester?

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

During early pregnancy, if you have spottingⁱMild vaginal bleeding that happens outside of your typical period or observe light brown discharge with a consistency ranging from fluid to mucus-like, that isn’t enough to saturate a pad or panty liner, and you don’t have any other symptoms, it may be considered normal. Otherwise, it is advised to see your Ob/Gyn immediately (2).

Brown discharge or brown spotting during pregnancy can also be normal in the third trimester near the due date when the uterus prepares for delivery. However, it can also be seen in conditions such as placental abruption. Some women may experience brown discharge in the second trimester due to placenta previaⁱA pregnancy-related issue in which the placenta fully or partially covers the uterine entrance (cervix) or preterm labor (3).

Quick fact

According to the American Pregnancy Association, 50% of women who experience bleeding or spotting have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby (13).

How Long Does Brown Discharge Last During Pregnancy?

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You may experience brown discharge throughout pregnancy, but it usually occurs due to natural conditions for a shorter duration. For instance, you may have brown discharge early in pregnancy due to implantation bleeding or intercourse. It’s also possible that you will experience it when your due date is approaching (2).

What Are The Causes Of Brown Discharge During Pregnancy?

Brown discharge could be due to natural changes in pregnancy or an underlying medical condition.

Natural causes

1. Changes in cervical cells: Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, cervical cells may become tender and extra sensitive. Intercourse or any other rough activity (such as medical examination) could irritate the cervix and cause light brown discharge during pregnancy.

2. Implantation: During early pregnancy, implantation occurs around nine days after conception (at ovulation time) and ranges between six and 12 days (4). During implantation, the fertilized egg embeds itself into the uterine lining (5), and slight bleeding might happen. It might be seen as a brown discharge after a few days.

Quick fact

Implantation bleeding is light pink to dark brown, usually does not have clots, and may be much lighter than your usual periods (14).

3. Nearing due date: Before going into labor, you might lose a mucus plug, a combination of cervical mucus and cells. The cervix softens as the due date approaches. It causes the mucus plug to soften and eject as a brown or red discharge (6).

Causes of concern that need medical attention

4. Possible miscarriage: Mild brown discharge can happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy due to the bleeding in the chorion (the outermost membrane surrounding the embryo). But in some cases, the brown discharge could signify miscarriage (7). According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG), miscarriage is the most prevalent cause of pregnancy loss. As per estimates, up to 10% of clinically confirmed pregnancies and up to 26% of all pregnancies result in miscarriage. When you observe brown blood during pregnancy, along with symptoms like abdominal pain and cramping, it is recommended to seek advice from your doctor.

Joan, a mother to a baby girl, shares about the miscarriage of her second pregnancy and how she got an inkling of it when she saw brown discharge. She says, “6th week of pregnancy. Woke up with a brownish discharge. It went to a reddish-brown discharge after lunchtime.”

Her hospital visit confirmed it to be a sign of “inevitable pregnancy,” and her discharge continued for a couple of days. She shares what she experienced a couple of days after the first discharge, “I took a bath in the afternoon, and I accidentally just pulled a unique-looking discharge. I think it’s already the gestational sac. On the same day, we confirmed that the second pregnancy has now led to a miscarriage (i).”

5. Missed abortion: In the case of a missed abortion, the pregnancy stops advancing, but the tissue is not passed out immediately. Brown discharge could be one of the early symptoms of a missed abortion (1).

6. Molar pregnancy: It is caused by an imbalance in chromosomes and is characterized by abnormal growth of the trophoblastic epithelium of the placenta. Though it commonly presents with fresh bleeding, this condition can cause brown discharge episodes and needs medical attention (8).

7. Ectopic pregnancy: This pregnancy occurs outside the womb, either in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or in the abdominal cavity. In this case, the uterus remains empty, but the lining grows in response to the hormones. It can result in mild to heavy bleeding (9).

Image: IStock

8. Placental abnormalities: Placental anomalies, such as placenta previa (when the placenta covers the cervical opening) and placental abruption (placenta separates from the uterus) can cause brown discharge. Both these conditions can lead to a variable amount of bleeding that could be mild to heavy (10).

9. Sexually transmitted diseases: Vaginal or cervical infections can also cause brown discharge in addition to burning, vaginal odor, and itching. Infections like Bacterial Vaginosis and Trichomoniasis can also cause brown discharge.

Dr. Alan Lindemann, MD, an obstetrician, maternal mortality expert, and former clinical associate professor at the University of North Dakota, says, “Bacteria and some viruses could also cause brown discharge. These include group B, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes.”

Quick fact

You may notice bleeding during pregnancy if you have cervical polyps, noncancerous growth on the cervix that bleeds due to high estrogen levels (2).

What Are The Complications Of Brown Discharge During Pregnancy?

Brown vaginal discharge during pregnancy does not lead to complications if the underlying cause is managed on time. There can also be the risk of anemia if the blood loss is severe and lasts longer.

Causes of brown discharge such as incomplete miscarriage might lead to complications such as disseminated intravascular coagulationⁱThe process of forming a blood clot if the remaining products of conception are not removed from the uterus (11).

Not treating sexually transmitted infections causing brown discharge can also be associated with pregnancy and delivery complications. Some infections may also affect the baby while passing through the birth canal.

When To See A Doctor

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Consult your doctor if you notice brown discharge during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider can help you know the reasons for brown discharge based on their observations and other symptoms. Seek prompt medical care if the brown discharge is associated with symptoms such as uterine contractions, heavy bleeding, fever, or pain.

How To Stop Brown Discharge During Pregnancy?

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Treating underlying causes can help prevent brown discharge in most women.

• Antibiotics or antifungals are usually recommended if the brown discharge is related to bacterial infections or yeast infections.
• Placental abnormalities, such as placental abruption and placenta previa, are managed by blood transfusions to cope with the blood loss.
• Medications to prevent premature labor and continuous fetal monitoring are done. Cesarean delivery is done if needed (10).
• Avoiding douching, vaginal perfumes, fragrant soaps, or any other products in the vagina might stop brown or blood-tinged discharges.
• Consult your doctor to determine if it is safe to engage in intercourse. Additionally, inquire with your doctor about the use of sanitary pads to manage the discharge effectively.

Quick tip

If you notice spotting during pregnancy, doctors may advise you to take bed rest, limit physical activity, stay hydrated, and avoid lifting heavy objects (13).

Find out if vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy can affect your baby in this informative video. Get the answers you need to make the best decisions for you and your baby.

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Sangeeta AgrawalFRCOG, MD, DNB, DGO

Dr. Sangeeta Agrawal is an obstetrician and gynecologist with around 29 years of experience in the field. She worked in Royal London, St. Bartholomew’s, North Middlesex, and Barnet General hospitals in London and currently runs her clinic in Mumbai.

Read full bio of Dr. Sangeeta Agrawal

• 
  Dr. Alan LindemannMD, MS Dr. Alan Lindemann is an obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, who worked as a clinical associate professor at the University of ND. An alumnus of the University of ND and the University of Minnesota, he is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association.
  
  Dr. Alan Lindemann is an obstetrician and maternal mortality expert, who worked as a clinical associate professor at the University of ND. An alumnus of the University of ND and the University of Minnesota, he is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association.

Dr Bisny T. JosephMedical Doctor

Dr. Bisny T. Joseph is a Georgian Board-certified physician. She has completed her professional graduate degree as a medical doctor from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia. She has around 5 years of experience in various sectors of medical affairs as a physician, medical reviewer, medical writer, health coach, and Q&A expert.

Read full bio of Dr Bisny T. Joseph

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das