11 Weeks Pregnant Brown Discharge – Causes and Symptoms

In many cases, brown discharge can be normal during early pregnancy, but it can also indicate a problem.

This article, “11 Weeks Pregnant Brown Discharge Causes and Symptoms”, written by MyBump2Baby discusses the causes of brown discharge at 11 weeks pregnant, what the symptoms of each cause is and when you should contact your health care provider.

Discharge During Pregnancy – 11 Weeks Pregnant

During pregnancy, your discharge becomes thicker and heavier.

This discharge is usually clear or white and it is known as leukorrhea.

During pregnancy, you are much more susceptible to yeast infections due to the hormonal changes, which disrupt the pH balance of the vagina, so it is important that you learn to recognise what healthy and abnormal vaginal discharge looks like.

You can read about what healthy and abnormal vaginal discharge looks like in the “Vaginal Infection” section below.

 

What Does Brown Discharge Mean?

 

Brown discharge typically indicates that there is blood within your discharge. Since it is brown, it means that the blood is older and that you’re most likely not actively bleeding.

If you are 11 weeks pregnant and have bleeding or brown discharge when you wipe, it may be concerning for you, but it is actually is quite common during the first trimester! Small amounts of bleeding (spotting) or brown discharge at 11 weeks pregnant usually does not indicate a serious issue, but it is recommended that you still consult your health care provider if you have any concerns.

Causes of Brown Vaginal Discharge at 11 Weeks Pregnant

During early pregnancy, or in this case, pregnancy week 11, brown discharge and light bleeding or spotting is usually no cause for concern- but if you find yourself experiencing heavy bright red bleeding at any point of your pregnancy, you should contact your early pregnancy unit at your local hospital as soon as possible.

If you experience heavy vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it can help to remember that many pregnant women who experience bleeding go on to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding is a positive sign that implantation has occurred- which is where the fertilized egg implants onto the uterine lining.

Implantation bleeding- or spotting- is typically very light and either brown or pink in colour.

Implantation bleeding typically occurs between 10 and 14 DPO (days past ovulation), but, in some cases, has happened later in pregnancy.

Symptoms of successful implantation include:

• Light bleeding
• Cramping
• Change in basal body temperature
• Sore breasts
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Nausea

 

Cervical Changes

 

Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause an increased blood flow to the cervix during pregnancy.

This increased blood flow makes the cervix much softer, and much more susceptible to irritation.

Irritation to the cervix can cause bleeding, brown discharge or spotting at 11 weeks pregnant. This irritation typically occurs after sexual intercourse- also known as “postcoital bleeding”.

If you experience any pain during sexual activity, you should consult your gynaecologist- who may want to perform a pelvic exam.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies are where the egg implants itself outside of the womb- usually in a fallopian tube.

Symptoms of ectopic pregnancies include:

• Tummy pain on one side
• Pain in the tip of your shoulder
• Vaginal bleeding
• Discomfort when urinating or having a bowel movement
• Brown watery discharge

Ectopic pregnancies will show as positive on a pregnancy test.

Ectopic pregnancies are a medical emergency. If you suspect that you may be having an ectopic pregnancy, you should consult your nearest doctor immediately.

Early Miscarriage

 

An early miscarriage is pregnancy loss that occurs before the third month of pregnancy. Symptoms of miscarriages include:

• Bleeding which varies from light spotting or brown discharge to heavy bleeding
• Abdominal Cramping
• Back pain
• Brown discharge
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• The passing of tissue
• The passing of fluid
• The passing of large clots

If you suspect that you are having a miscarriage, you should see your nearest maternity ward or early pregnancy unit immediately.

 

Vaginal Infection

 

Our vaginal discharge can tell us a lot about our reproductive health, including whether we are pregnant, what stage of the menstrual cycle we are in and whether you may have a vaginal infection.

Brown discharge or spotting at 11 weeks pregnant may indicate a vaginal infection- such as gonorrhea or chlamydia- which may cause brown discharge at 11 weeks pregnant, if the STI is in the later stages.

Read below to find out the signs of healthy and abnormal vaginal discharge.

Signs of healthy vaginal discharge include:

• Vaginal discharge that is clear in colour
• Vaginal discharge that is milky white in colour
• Vaginal discharge that is yellow-white in colour
• Vaginal discharge that with no odour
• Vaginal discharge witha creamy consistency
• Vaginal discharge with a consistency like egg whites

Signs of unhealthy or abnormal vaginal discharge include:

• Discharge that is yellow-green or green in colour
• Discharge that is grey in colour
• Vaginal discharge that is accompanied by itching
• Vaginal discharge that is accompanied by redness or swelling of the vagina
• Vaginal discharge that has a foul or fishy odour
• Discharge that is clumpy in consistency
• Brown or red discharge outside of your menstrual period

The Take-Away

If you are concerned about your vaginal discharge during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor for peace of mind.

If you are experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding and painful cramping, you should consult your nearest healthcare provider immediately, as it may be a sign of a miscarriage.