Brown Discharge in Early Pregnancy

Brown discharge in early pregnancy is not an unusual occurrence. Though many women worry it could be a signal of a pregnancy-related problem, there are several normal reasons why this may occur.

Many women worry about spotting during pregnancy.

Any type of spotting or discharge should be mentioned to your physician, but brown discharge in early pregnancy can have several causes. One of the most common reasons for spotting is implantation.

Though not all women may notice implantation bleeding, others may have some discharge for a few hours when the fertilized egg embeds in the uterus wall. This spotting can be brown, red, or pink, and is sometimes the very first sign a woman has that she is pregnant. Implantation bleeding is most likely to occur during the first two weeks after conception occurs.

Other brown discharge in early pregnancy that occurs is simply related to the growth and stretching of the uterus and the surrounding tissue. As the uterus changes size and shape to accommodate the growing embryo, some light bleeding can occur. Since this bleeding occurs slowly and is not part of an active blood flow, the blood is often light brown by the time it exits the body.

Sometimes, brown discharge in early pregnancy can be the sign that a pregnancy is in trouble. If the spotting continues for several days, increases in heaviness, or turns red, a doctor should be consulted right away.

Some of the potential complications that can be signaled by spotting include:

• Miscarriage: Experts believe that as many as 20 percent of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. In some cases, the miscarriage occurs before the woman even realizes that she is pregnant. In that case, the spotting may seem like a light period. Other signs of miscarriage include cramping and a heavy red flow.

• Ectopic pregnancy: Potentially dangerous to the mother, an ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube rather than the uterus. As the embryo grows, the fallopian tube cannot accommodate the necessary growth. This can lead to a rupturing of the tube, causing pain and bleeding for mother. Unfortunately, there is no way to save an ectopic pregnancy. However, early treatment can prevent permanent damage from affecting future fertility.

• Other causes: Some infections of the reproductive organs, like Chlamydia, may cause spotting. Vagina dryness may also increase the likelihood of spotting after intercourse. Spotting can also be caused by medical issues unrelated to pregnancy, like a bladder infection.

Spotting during the final trimester usually means that your pregnancy has hit the final stages. If an expectant mom notices a stringy or sticky thick discharge that comes out in a clump, this is usually a sign that the mucus plug has been passed. Passage of the mucus plug is one of the first indicators that labor is imminent, usually beginning within a few days. The discharge from the mucus plug may be pinkish, red, or light brown. Discharge may also occur during the beginning of labor if a woman's water breaks.

Although many women expect to see a big rush of water, it's usually a much slower, but consistent, process. Anytime a woman suspects that her water may have broken, she should contact her doctor immediately.

Unfortunately, not all late pregnancy discharge is a sign of the onset of labor. In some cases, a late-term miscarriage or other complications can also occur. Any unusual symptoms, including discharge, should be evaluated by a doctor.

In most cases, a small amount of brown discharge in early pregnancy isn't a big concern. But if the spotting continues or becomes red, the mom-to-be should contact a physician right away.

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