Title: Checking for a vaginal infection
Course: Antenatal Care Part 1 - Ethiopia (Full)

Checking for a vaginal infection

The normal vaginal discharge is not smelly, it is small in amount, and it does not stain or wet the underwear.

Warning symptoms

If a pregnant woman has an infection in her vagina, the signs are:

- Whitish or curd-like discharge
- Bad-smelling discharge
- Itching of the external genitalia (look back at Figure 3.2 in Study Session 3 to remind yourself of the anatomy of the female genital area)
- The vulva could be swollen
- There may be burning during urination
- The woman may report she has pain during sex.

If a pregnant woman has an abnormal discharge, or reports any of the other symptoms listed above, refer her to the nearest health centre as soon as possible.