Can a woman get pregnant if she had sex as she was experiencing brown vaginal discharge?

In the latest episode of "Pinoy MD" a netizen asked an OB-Gynecologist Dr. Raul "Dr. Q" Quillamor if she could still get pregnant (1) even after her partner withdraws prior to ejaculation and (2) as she had been experiencing brown vaginal discharge.

The answer is yes, pregnancy is possible.

First of all, Dr. Q emphasized that withdrawal is not considered an effective contraceptive method.

"Kasi bago mag-withdraw ang isang lalaki, magkakaroon na silang tinatawag natin na pre-cum or 'yung pre-ejaculate," he explained. 

"Doon naka-concentrate 'yung milyun-milyong nang sperm cells so hindi porke na-withdraw na siya ay safe na yun sa babae."

[Even before a male withdraws, he already has pre-ejaculation. It's there where millions of his sperm is concentrated. So it's not true that just because he's withdrawn, his partner is safe.]

As for the brown discharge, Dr. Q said it can always take place when a woman is "in between menstrual cycles," as dried up blood that's slow to leave the uterus or vagina.

However, brown discharge can also be a sign of infection, which can affect the life span of the sperm.

"Kasi pag may infection 'yung isang babae, naiiba din 'yung PH or 'yung acidity ng vaginal discharge, at mga sperm cells ay mamamatay," he explained

"Pero kadalasan [pag may] brownish discharge 'yung isang babae at nagwi-withdrawal si mister, or 'yung kanyang partner, pag nagkaroon na ng pre-ejaculation 'yan, ay posible pa rin ang pagbubuntis ang isang babae."

[When a woman has an infection, the acidity of her vaginal discharge changes, killing sperm cells. More often however, when a woman has brownish discharge and her partner withdraws but still pre-ejaculates, then pregnancy is possible.] — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News