Brown Discharge During Pregnancy: Is It Normal?

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Brown discharge during pregnancy: When to see a doctor

Medically reviewed by Tahirah Redhead MPAS, PA-C, MPH — Written by Jon Johnson — Updated on May 30, 2025

Early pregnancy causes
Later pregnancy causes
Throughout pregnancy
Contacting a doctor
Diagnosis
Treatment
Summary

A brown discharge in early pregnancy may be due to spotting, which is not unusual at this stage. Later, it can be a sign that labor will start soon. It is best to speak with a doctor if there is a brown, pink, or bloody discharge at any time during pregnancy.

Healthy discharge is a thin, clear-to-white substance that the vagina excretes. It is a normal function of a healthy vagina and not a cause for concern. People may notice variations in the texture, smell, and color of this discharge.

Pregnancy has a range of effects on the body, and it is normal for people to experience changes in discharge corresponding to the stages of pregnancy.

Brown vaginal discharge can be a typical sign of early pregnancy, but, alongside other symptoms, it can sometimes indicate complications.

Anyone experiencing concerning changes in vaginal discharge or dark brown discharge should contact their doctor.

Early pregnancy

A pregnant person on their phone. — Fly View Productions/Getty Images

Brown discharge typically means that there is blood in the discharge. As the blood ages, it oxidizes, turning from a deep red to brown.

One 2019 study notes that bleeding is not uncommon during the first trimester of pregnancy.

While a bit of spotting is common early on in pregnancy, it can still help to report the symptom to a doctor. The doctor may wish to perform additional tests to check the health of the pregnant person and fetus, which can help provide peace of mind.

Implantation bleeding

Spotting may occur very early on in pregnancy due to implantation bleeding. It can cause a light brown discharge as the body removes the old blood.

Hormonal changes

The pregnant body experiences many changes in a relatively short period. Hormone surges throughout pregnancy increase blood flow to the reproductive system.

In some people, this may make the cervix especially sensitive. Irritating the cervix with sexual intercourse, sexual toys, or even a pelvic exam may cause bleeding, leading to brown discharge.

Ectopic pregnancy

A less common cause of brown discharge during the first trimester of pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus, such as in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms include varying degrees of pain and vaginal bleeding. People may experience pain on one side of the stomach or in the tip of the shoulder, due to pressure on the nerves. Some will experience discomfort or difficulty using the toilet.

The fertilized egg cannot survive outside of the uterus, meaning that all ectopic pregnancies result in pregnancy loss. Without treatment, ectopic pregnancies can cause serious complications. Anyone who suspects an ectopic pregnancy should seek medical advice immediately.

Later pregnancy

During the third trimester, brown discharge can indicate that labor is approaching or that there is a complication.

Bloody show

Sometimes, brown discharge may indicate that labor is near.

If a person notices a sticky blob of mucus in their underwear in the last days before labour, it may be something known as the “bloody show.” The blob can be yellow or bloody. It can also be a single blob or in several pieces.

This was the plug that sealed up the cervix during pregnancy.

Preterm labor

Spotting or bleeding that occurs later in the pregnancy, but before week 37, may also be an indicator of preterm labor. Other symptoms will also occur, such as:

backache
stomach cramps
regular contractions
pressure in the pelvis
water breaking

Anyone who may be experiencing preterm labor should seek medical advice immediately.

Placenta previa

Placenta previa occurs when part of the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix. In some people, this causes no symptoms, but others may experience various degrees of painless vaginal bleeding.

Placenta previa can cause delivery complications, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential.

Throughout pregnancy

Some causes of brown discharge can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Cervical polyps

Increased blood circulation around the cervix during pregnancy may cause growths called cervical polyps to appear. As with cervical irritation, sexual play or pelvic exams may cause these cervical polyps to bleed.

Many doctors recommend not removing the polyps during pregnancy unless they cause severe discomfort or interfere with the pregnancy. One study notes that removing these polyps during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm delivery or pregnancy loss.

Pregnancy loss

Brown discharge may also be a sign of pregnancy loss, or miscarriage, in some cases. Generally, this will not be the only symptom.

The brown discharge may progress to include more fresh blood, and it may turn to spotting or bleeding similar to that of menstruation.

Other symptoms to look out for include:

uterine contractions
a gush of watery clear-to-pink vaginal fluid
intense stomach cramps
tenderness
weight loss
passing thick clots or bloody discharge
sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their doctor.

When to contact a doctor

Some brown discharge with no other symptoms is common and usually not a cause for concern during pregnancy.

However, discharge with additional symptoms, such as pain, uterine spasms, or fever, may be signs of concerning conditions.

Anyone experiencing changes in their discharge, along with other symptoms, should contact their doctor. The doctor can then treat any issues early on to prevent complications.

Diagnosis

To diagnose any issues associated with brown discharge during pregnancy, doctors will first do a physical exam, taking note of any additional symptoms that the pregnant person is experiencing.

They may then order various tests to check the health of the pregnant person and fetus.

A pelvic exam may help identify signs of irritation that could be causing the discharge. The doctors may also take a swab of the discharge from the cervix to check for any infections or other issues.

Imaging tests such as ultrasounds can help identify other issues, including ectopic pregnancy, or simply ensure the health and viability of the fetus.

How to stop brown discharge during pregnancy

Depending on the underlying cause, it may not be possible to stop brown discharge during pregnancy. Some causes, such as implantation bleeding, will stop as the pregnancy progresses. Other causes, such as ectopic pregnancy, require medical intervention.

Treatment options will depend on the underlying cause of the discharge, the stage of pregnancy, and the health status of both the pregnant person and the developing fetus.

Treatments for different issues may include:

antibiotics
avoiding sexual activity
the removal of fertilized eggs, in cases of ectopic pregnancy
tissue removal, after pregnancy loss
cesarean delivery

A person should seek a diagnosis before attempting any treatment.

Summary

While some causes of brown vaginal discharge are normal, it is important to pay attention to other symptoms. Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms, such as stomach pain, fever, or very dark discharge, should see a doctor.

A thorough diagnosis may take time, but it is important to solve any underlying issues and ensure the health of the pregnant person and fetus.

Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Women's Health / Gynecology
Parenthood

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Anderson-Bagga F, et al. (2023). Placenta previa. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539818/
Ectopic pregnancy. (2025). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/
Fukuta K, et al. (2020). Risk factors for spontaneous miscarriage above 12 weeks or premature delivery in patients undergoing cervical polypectomy during pregnancy. https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-019-2710-z
Lutterodt MC, et al. (2019). Examining to what extent pregnancy-related physical symptoms worry women in the first trimester of pregnancy: A cross-sectional study in general practice. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6995862/
Pregnancy complications. (2025). https://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/pregnancy-complications
Signs and symptoms of preterm labor. (2020). https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/birth/signs-and-symptoms-preterm-labor
Signs of going into labour. (n.d.). https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/preparing-for-labour-and-birth/signs-of-going-into-labour/
Vadakekut ES, et al. (2025). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539860/
Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy. (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/

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Medically reviewed by Tahirah Redhead MPAS, PA-C, MPH — Written by Jon Johnson — Updated on May 30, 2025

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Early pregnancy

Implantation bleeding

Hormonal changes

Ectopic pregnancy

Later pregnancy

Bloody show

Preterm labor

Placenta previa

Throughout pregnancy

Cervical polyps

Pregnancy loss

When to contact a doctor

Diagnosis

How to stop brown discharge during pregnancy

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