Age 30 – Before & During Pregnancy & Postpartum
This is the cervix of a 30 year old woman. The first photo was taken before she conceived and the rest were taken about three years later during her second pregnancy. The last two were taken postpartum. Note how the size and shape of the os is smaller before she conceived compared to the photos taken during her second pregnancy, about 2 years after she had given birth vaginally to her first child.
In some pregnancy photos, you will see thick white discharge called leukorrhea flowing from the cervix. This type of discharge is common in pregnancy and does not have other symptoms of vaginal infection such as itching, burning, foul smell, etc.
During week 8, 16, 20, and 21, this woman had a yeast infection (a candidiasis overgrowth) visible as a thick white cottage cheese-like discharge. Yeast overgrowths are particularly common in pregnancy. Elevated hormones cause a change in vaginal temperature and pH and an increase in vaginal secretions, giving the yeast a warmer environment to replicate in and abundant sugars to feed on. She treated this imbalance with an antifungal vaginal suppository medication (also called an antimycotic).
Age 30- Pre-pregnancy
Taken before conception; os is a dimple
Age 30 – 5 weeks, 3 days Pregnant
Thick white discharge called leukorrhea flowing from the cervix
Age 30 – 6 week, 3 days Pregnant
Age 30 – 8 weeks, 6 days Pregnant
Yeast/Candida overgrowth visible as white, clumpy substance on cervix & vagina
Age 30 – 10 weeks, 2 days Pregnant
Yeast cleared up, some leukorrhea flowing from cervix
Age 30 – 11 weeks, 1 day Pregnant
Some white leukorrhea visible on top right of vaginal canal, above cervix
Age 30 – 14 weeks, 6 days Pregnant
Cervical ectropion more visible with pregnancy hormones, some white leukorrhea
Age 30 – 16 weeks Pregnant
Copious leukorrhea and some yeast/candida overgrowth visible
Age 30 – 20 weeks, 6 days Pregnant
Leukorrhea flowing from os, Candida visible above cervix in anterior fornix
Age 30 – 21 weeks, 3 days Pregnant
White chunky yeast /Candida overgrowth on the top of the cervix/anterior fornix
Age 30 – 25 weeks, 6 days Pregnant
Yeast cleared up
Age 30 – 32 weeks Pregnant
Os is located on the line of the shadow at the source of the white leukorrhea flow; lower/posterior cervix takes on a blueish/purplish hue, which is common during pregnancy as bloodflow to the pelvis increases.
Age 30 – 38 weeks, 2 days Pregnant
Os is tucked behind the right side of the vaginal wall; vaginal walls bulge inward due to pelvic swelling and have deepened in color due to the increased blood volume of pregnancy
Age 30 – 63 days Postpartum
Vaginal birth 63 days prior; yellowish white discharge is common postpartum, especially if mother is breastfeeding
