9.9  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.