What does early pregnancy discharge look like pictures

If you're trying to get pregnant, it's good to know when you're at your most fertile. One way to find out is to look for changes in your cervical mucus – the natural, healthy vaginal discharge that most women experience.

Table of Contents Show

How to check your cervical mucus
Watery cervical mucus: possibly fertile
Egg white cervical mucus: fertile
Creamy cervical mucus: non-fertile
Sticky cervical mucus: non-fertile
Understanding your menstrual cycle
Track your baby’s development
What does first week of pregnancy discharge look like?
How can I tell if I'm pregnant by my discharge?
What does mucus discharge look like in early pregnancy?
How can you tell the difference between pregnancy discharge and discharge?

As your hormones change over the course of your menstrual cycle, the amount, colour and texture of your cervical mucus varies too. These photos will give you an idea of what to check for as you track your ovulation to find out your most fertile days.

Everybody is different, and you may not see these exact variations in your own cervical mucus. The main thing to look for is some kind of change mid-cycle. In the meantime, you'll improve your chance of conceiving by having sex every two days to three days throughout your cycle.

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How to check your cervical mucus
You can check your cervical mucus by wiping with clean toilet paper, or by inserting a clean finger into your vagina and reaching upwards toward your cervix.
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Watery cervical mucus: possibly fertile
After your period, you'll probably have a few dry days, where you don't notice much cervical mucus. A few days after this, you may notice some wetness, which could be yellow, white or cloudy.
This type of mucus can be a sign that your body is starting to get ready for ovulation. Because sperm can live inside you for up to a week, waiting for an egg to be released, it's worth having sex every two to three days during this phase.
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Egg white cervical mucus: fertile

When you're at your most fertile, you may notice an increase in cervical mucus, and find that it becomes wetter and more slippery. It looks and feels like raw egg whites and it can stretch about 5cm without breaking in the middle.
This "egg white" cervical mucus is the most fertile, as it allows sperm to swim easily into the cervix. It's also a sign that you're about to ovulate.
For the best chance of conceiving, have sex every two to three days during this fertile time. Sperm can live for up to seven days inside you, waiting for an egg to be released.
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Creamy cervical mucus: non-fertile
At other times in your cycle, you may notice cervical mucus that's not particularly wet or slippery. This creamy cervical mucus is considered non-fertile because it makes it more difficult for sperm to reach your egg.
Creamy cervical mucus can be a pearly white or creamy yellow. It's thick and feels like lotion when rubbed between your fingers.
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Sticky cervical mucus: non-fertile
You may also notice cervical mucus that's sticky or tacky towards the beginning or end of your cycle. This is the least fertile cervical mucus, as it's hard for sperm to swim through it. It's thick and lumpy, and feels like gluey paste.
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Understanding your menstrual cycle
You could try noting the changes in your cervical mucus for a few months in a row. You may see a pattern that will help you work out when you're at your most fertile.
Use our cervical mucus and basal body temperature chart to easily track the most fertile days of your cycle.

Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a keen interest in producing evidence-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best start in life.

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What does first week of pregnancy discharge look like?

Early pregnancy discharge But most pregnant women will secrete sticky, white, or pale-yellow mucus early on in the first trimester and throughout their pregnancy. Increased hormones and vaginal blood flow cause the discharge. It increases during pregnancy to prevent infections as your cervix and vaginal walls soften.

How can I tell if I'm pregnant by my discharge?

Besides bleeding, a woman may notice a white, milky discharge from their vagina. That's related to the thickening of the vagina's walls, which starts almost immediately after conception. The increased growth of cells lining the vagina causes the discharge.

What does mucus discharge look like in early pregnancy?

Increased vaginal discharge is normal in pregnancy. Vaginal discharge is usually thin and light yellow or white in color. Discharge from the mucus plug is thicker, more jelly-like and there is more of it. It can also be tinged with red, brown or pink blood.

How can you tell the difference between pregnancy discharge and discharge?

Healthy vaginal discharge, also called leukorrhea, is thin and clear or white and has only a mild odor. The volume of discharge increases throughout pregnancy to reduce the risk of vaginal and uterine infections. Discharge is at its most heavy in the final weeks of pregnancy, when it may contain pink mucus.