Green vaginal discharge is typically considered a sign of an infection. You should be extra cautious when you’re pregnant, so if you have green discharge, see your doctor right away.
The green discharge could be the sign of an infection that could affect your pregnancy.
Common causes of green vaginal mucus include:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States.
Symptoms
Most people, including those who are pregnant, don’t show symptoms of a chlamydial infection. When they do appear, symptoms may include:
- abnormal vaginal discharge, often green
- unpleasant vaginal odor
- burning or itching sensations
- discomfort when urinating
- bleeding after sex
Can chlamydia impact my pregnancy?
An untreated chlamydia infection in pregnancy has been associated with:
- preterm delivery
- low birth weight
- newborn conjunctivitis (ophthalmia neonatorum)
- pneumonia in the newborn
Testing for chlamydia
During your first prenatal visit, your doctor should screen you for chlamydia. Your doctor will most likely screen you again during your third trimester if:
- you’re under age 25
- have a new sex partner
- have multiple sex partners
- your sexual partner has an STI
If the tests indicate that you have a chlamydial infection, you should be retested at 3 weeks and 3 months following completion of treatment.
Treating chlamydia
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics, such as azithromycin or doxycycline.
Gonorrhea is an STI that is most common in young adults.
Symptoms
Most people, including those who are pregnant, don’t know that they have gonorrhea because they have no symptoms. For those with symptoms, they are often mild and mistaken for a vaginal or bladder infection. For some, symptoms include:
- abnormal vaginal discharge, often green
- unpleasant vaginal odor
- burning or itching sensations
- discomfort when urinating
- vaginal bleeding between periods
Can gonorrhea impact my pregnancy?
If you have gonorrhea, the infection can be transmitted during delivery. This may cause the baby to develop:
Testing for gonorrhea
During your first prenatal visit, your doctor will typically screen you for gonorrhea if you are in a high risk category. If you are at continued high risk, your doctor will most likely screen you again during your third trimester. Risk factors include:
- being under age 25
- having a previous or coexisting STI
- having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners
Treating gonorrhea
Typically, your doctor will prescribe two drugs, such as ceftriaxone and azithromycin to take concurrently (dual therapy).
According to the
Trichomoniasis, sometimes referred to as trich, is a common STI caused by an infection with the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite. According to the
Symptoms
Most people with trichomoniasis, including those who are pregnant, don’t show symptoms.
If symptoms do appear, they are often mild and mistaken for a vaginal or bladder infection. For some, symptoms may include:
- abnormal vaginal discharge, often green
- unpleasant vaginal odor
- genital redness
- burning or itching sensations
- discomfort when urinating
- discomfort during sex
Can trichomoniasis impact my pregnancy?
If you are pregnant and have trichomoniasis, some complications may include:
- having an early, preterm delivery
- delivering a baby with low birth weight (under 5.5 pounds)
- transmission of the infection to the baby
Testing for trichomoniasis
Your doctor’s diagnosis of trichomoniasis can be confirmed by viewing a sample of vaginal fluid under a microscope.
According to the Mayo Clinic, while traditionally growing a culture has been used to diagnose trichomoniasis, that is being replaced by faster tests such as nucleic acid amplification and rapid antigen tests.
Risk factors for trichomoniasis include:
- having multiple sex partners
- having trichomoniasis previously
- having had other STIs
- not using barrier methods during sex
Treating trichomoniasis
Your doctor will typically prescribe either tinidazole (Tindamax) or metronidazole (Flagyl). Once you have been treated for trichomoniasis, you can get it again. According to the
If you’re pregnant and have green vaginal discharge, make an appointment to see your doctor. Green discharge could indicate an infection, such as:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhea
- trichomoniasis
Infections such as these have the potential to cause serious complications for your health and your pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will be able to get you started on medications right away to treat the infection.
