It's not your imagination. It's quite common to have more vaginal discharge during pregnancy. What you're noticing is probably normal leukorrhea — the odorless or mild-smelling milky fluid discharge that you occasionally found in your underwear before you were pregnant. There's just a lot more of it now, partly because of increased estrogen production and greater blood flow to the vaginal area. This discharge is made up of secretions from the cervix and vagina, old cells from the walls of the vagina, and normal bacterial flora from the vagina.

You'll probably notice more vaginal discharge as you approach labor, though it's likely to look somewhat different from the flow you've become accustomed to. In very early pregnancy, cervical secretions filled your cervical canal and created a protective barrier — the so-called mucus plug. As your cervix begins to efface (thin out) and dilate, it may expel this mucus, and you'll notice discharge that looks like egg white or mucus from a runny nose on a cold day. Or, you may even expel the plug in one gelatinous glob. This discharge might be tinged with a bit of blood.

If there's a lot of thin, clear discharge, it can be hard for you tell whether it's just mucus or you're leaking amniotic fluid. If you have any doubt, call your midwife or doctor. And if you notice an increase in discharge or a change in the type of discharge before 37 weeks, especially if it's watery, mucus-like, or bloody (even if it's just tinged with pink or brownish old blood), call your practitioner right away, as it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Is there anything I can do about it?
There's nothing you can do to stop the flow, but you can use pantiliners to absorb it if you need to. (Don't use tampons during pregnancy.) To keep your genital area healthy, keep it clean, always wipe from front to back, wear cotton underwear, and avoid tight pants, nylons, bubble bath, scented pads or toilet paper, and scented or deodorant soaps.

And don't douche — doctors and midwives discourage douching during pregnancy because in rare cases it can introduce air into your circulatory system through the vagina, which can cause serious complications. What's more, douching can upset the normal balance of vaginal flora and increase your risk of vaginitis.

As an alternative, you may wish to try CAREFREE^® Freshness Cloths. Perfect for your on-the-go freshness needs, they are an easy way to gently cleanse your intimate area for that extra degree of freshness.

How can I tell when I have an infection?
If you have an odorless whitish discharge that's causing you discomfort such as itching or burning, or your vulva looks inflamed, you might well have a yeast infection. If your discharge ever becomes foul-smelling, or frothy or yellow, green, or gray in appearance (even without symptoms of irritation, itching, or burning), you might have a different kind of vaginitis or a sexually transmitted infection. In any case, you should see your practitioner for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

The above article was provided courtesy of the BabyCenter, L.L.C., a leading online pregnancy and parenting resource.