The short explanation
A slight change in vaginal smell during pregnancy is common, because hormones increase discharge and change the vaginal environment. Many pregnant women also have a heightened sense of smell, so they notice normal odours more. A strong or fishy smell, especially with thin grey or white discharge, can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. In pregnancy, BV is worth checking and treating, because it has been linked with some complications such as early labour. Discharge with itching, burning or a green or yellow colour can point to other infections. Your antenatal doctor can do a simple swab test.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Do not douche or use perfumed washes in pregnancy; plain water on the outside is enough.
- Smell with fever, belly pain or bleeding needs the same-day attention.
- Treatment in pregnancy is chosen carefully, so ask your doctor rather than buying something from a chemist.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you whether the smell is normal or from an infection. A swab test can answer that.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could this be bacterial vaginosis or another infection?
- Can you do a swab test today?
- Which treatments are suitable in pregnancy?
- Which symptoms should make me come back urgently?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have heavy bleeding, severe belly pain, or a gush of fluid with fever.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if the smell comes with fever, belly pain, bleeding or a leak of fluid.
Book an appointment soon
- See your antenatal doctor within a few days about a strong or fishy smell.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Mention any change in discharge at your next routine antenatal visit.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Bacterial vaginosis NHS
- Vaginal discharge NHS
- Vaginal diseases MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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