What causes brown discharge during pregnancy?

During the first trimester of pregnancy there are various changes in vaginal discharge, and it is common for it to acquire a color with brown nuances. And although it has commonly been associated as another symptom of pregnancy, its presence can be a cause for concern for pregnant women, who wonder if it is normal or not.

It is normal not to stain. The flow should be white throughout the pregnancy, more or less abundant as the gestation progresses, in relation to the hormones of the placenta.

It can occur during the first trimester of pregnancy

Brown discharge is an indicator of red blood cells, that is, that there is blood. Around 20% of pregnant women stain in the form of bleeding or brown discharge. Of this percentage, in half, 10%, this flow increases, turns into blood and ends in an abortion. While in the other half, the remaining 10%, it is not of great importance.

Why is it produced?

Spotting is relatively common at the time of implantation. When the embryo reaches the uterus, it divides into two parts: trophoblast and embryoblast. The trophoblast is the one that will give rise to the placenta and the one that is implanted inside the endometrium, the inner layer of the uterus. An environment that is highly irrigated by arteries and blood vessels (to guarantee the correct development of the embryo), and it can happen that during implantation, some of these vessels and arteries break, causing blood loss, which results in bleeding.

If during the implantation a large vessel breaks, the bleeding will be more abundant, and the hematoma is produced, which can either be reabsorbed or go further, causing the abortion.

In the second trimester there are usually no brown discharges, unless there is an abnormality of the placenta, and in the third trimester if there are contractions, small bleeds or a small amount of brown discharge may occur.

What to do in case of detecting this brown flow?

The first thing the pregnant woman should do is call her gynecologist, who will assess the situation. Likewise, since the aim is to prevent further progression of this bleeding, it is most likely recommended that you stay at home.

In the event that the doctor sees you in her office, she will perform a transvaginal ultrasound, where she will see that small bruise that has occurred. Rest, move little so that the bruise does not go further.

Progesterone, a hormone that prevents contractions. Throughout the pregnancy, the uterus is growing and produces small contractions that can cause the hematoma to grow, and what started as a brown discharge to become bleeding that can worsen and lead to miscarriage.