Things To Know About Losing Your Mucus Plug

Are you losing mucus plugs? If so, what does this mean? When does the labor start once you lose the mucus plug? Having all these queries is common for someone facing pregnancy for the first time. 

When to see the doctor? Or should you wait after losing the mucus plug? It is indeed a symptom that labor is coming. However, there are other more prominent symptoms like water breaking or contraction, suggesting that labor is coming. 

Still, what does it mean when you lose the mucus plug? Here is a simple breakdown of the condition and suggestions regarding what to do in this situation. So, first, let’s learn what a mucus plug is.

What Is Mucus Plug?

The mucus plug is the protective collection of mucus inside the cervical canal. The cervix of a pregnant woman creates a jelly-like thick fluid that keeps that area moist and protected. Bit by bit, this fluid becomes a thick plug and protects the cervical canal like a seal. It prevents bacteria and different infections from entering the uterus. 

To simplify, you can think of it as a differentiation between your uterus and the vagina. If you are tracking pregnancy symptoms, you should also be read for labor symptoms.

Among other signs of labor, losing the mucus plug is also a sign that labor is coming. When the cervix starts to open up for labor, the mucus plug gets discharged into the vagina. However, losing the mucus plug does not necessarily mean that the labor is coming soon. 

There might be a huge time gap between the delivery and losing the mucus plug. When a pregnant woman loses the mucus plug noticeably, she is supposed to go into labor soon. It can happen within a few hours, or it can take some days as well. So, if you are wondering how long after losing a mucus plug, labor starts, there is your answer. 

Why Do Pregnant Women Lose Mucus Plug?

During the pregnancy, the female body starts to prepare for labor. That is why the cervix starts to thin out, soften, and open eventually. As a result, the mucus plug gets lost from the cervix. The mucus also gets pushed out into the vagina. This process is called losing the mucus plug. Pregnant women lose their mucus plug during the 37th week of their pregnancy. In case you lose the mucus plug early before the 37th week, you should try to contact the doctor as soon as possible.

How Does Discharging Mucus Plug Look Like?

When you lose the mucus plug, it will supposedly look like this –

• Clear, slightly bloody, and off-white (usually brown or pinkish in color.)
• Jelly-like material that is stringy or sticky.
• Can be one inch to two inches in length. 
• Usually it does not contain any odor. 
• Has a volume of 1 to 2 tablespoons. 

You can lose the mucus plug in a single glob, or you may lose it little by little. It is normal to lose a small amount of blood during the process of losing mucus plugs. However, if you experience an excessive amount of bleeding, you should contact the doctors as soon as possible.  

You can differentiate between the mucus plug and vaginal discharge by looking at their color. Vaginal discharge is normally thin, light yellow, or white in color. On the other hand, the mucus discharge is jelly-like and thicker. It can usually be tinged with brown, pink-colored blood. They are different both in color and density. A good way to understand their difference can be through a it’s color chart. 

How Do You Tell If You’ve Lost The Mucus Plus? 

Women tend to experience vaginal discharge throughout their pregnancy. So, it might get pretty difficult for some women to tell if they have lost their mucus plug. However, it is usually thicker and appears stringy and jelly-like, unlike your regular vaginal discharge. The mucus plug can be pink, clear, or just a bit bloody. 

There are multiple reasons behind losing the mucus plug during pregnancy. In maximum cases, it discharges as a result of a softened cervix. Some women may also end up losing the mucus plug to move or during sexual activities, causing the mucus plug to loosen up and break free. 

However, losing the it does not mean you are ready for delivery. It just means that your cervix and body are going through some major changes to make you better prepared for the arrival of the baby. 

What To Do When You Lose Mucus Plug?

Pregnant mothers become worried after losing the mucus plug. They worry about when the labor might start. Are you worried about the same? If so, here is what you should do. 

• First, you should see what the mucus looks like so that you can tell your doctor.
• The color of the mucus, size, and appearance of the mucus are some things you need to keep in mind.

A clear description of the mucus plug will help the doctor determine the signs of the discharge.

36 Or Fewer Weeks Pregnant 

It is beneficial to track pregnancy symptoms week by week. If you are less than 36 weeks and have lost the mucus plug, they may recommend an evaluation. However, the evaluation is recommended if the doctors feel that you are too early for labor. They may want to check the baby or your cervix. So, if you are losing your mucus plug before the 36th week of pregnancy, you should call the doctor immediately and discuss the situation.

Pregnancy After 37th Week 

When you are pregnant for more than 37 weeks, and there are no troubling symptoms, then you should not worry about losing the mucus. However, it is still good to stay safe and contact your doctor. You can call the doctor and report the symptoms you are facing. In the majority of cases, doctors will suggest you wait for further symptoms and inform them. 

You may want to watch out for more regular and frequent contractions that become closer. When the discharge becomes more frequent, you can wear a panty liner or protective pads for prevention. 

Are You In Labor After Losing Your Mucus Plug? 

Like many other signs of labor, losing the mucus plug is one such. It is one of those signs that indicate the baby’s arrival, but it does not have to be right at that instance. 

Some women may sometimes go weeks after losing their mucus plug before the baby arrives; others need to keep an eye out for signs that say that the baby is nearer than ever. 

Lightening 

Lightening happens when the baby starts to drop down lower into the pelvis. This effect makes it simpler for you to breathe but causes the baby to press more on the bladder. Lightening indicates that the baby is getting into a position that will further help support labor. 

Membrane Rupturing 

Popularly known as water breaking, this happens when the amniotic sac that surrounds the baby tears down and releases a fluid. This fluid might come out with a high rush, or it may come out in a very slow, watery trickle; once the water breaks, you may expect to experience contractions if you already haven’t. These contractions will become long-lasting, stronger, and more frequent as the cervix softens and dilates in preparation for child delivery. 

Cervical Thinning 

Effacement, or cervical thinning, is the process where the cervix stretches and becomes thinner to allow the baby to pass through your birth canal. As the due date gets close, the doctor will possibly conduct a cervical check to get an estimate of how much effaced the cervix is. 

Dilation 

Dilation and effacement are two of the most major symptoms that labor is near. In simple words, dilation is the measurement of how much your cervix has opened for the baby to come out.  It is only when the cervix has fully dilated to 10 centimeters doctors will consider you ready for childbirth. It is possible for the cervix to remain dilated for just a few centimeters before labor actually occurs. 

Regular, Strong Contractions 

Contractions are just your body’s way of thinning down and dilating the cervix, which can move the baby forward. If you think that you are experiencing contractions, maintain a time of how far apart they are. Make sure not to be down if they are consistent or not. Strong and regular contractions might indicate that it is time to get to the hospital. 

By now, you know that losing the mucus plug is not the only symptom of labor. While losing it does not usually require any major treatment, you need to rush to the hospital once the water breaks or if you experience regular, painful contractions. These are the two symptoms that indicate the nearing of labor. 

How Do You Tell If You Are Going Into Labour?

One of the symptoms of oncoming labor is losing your mucus plug. But there are various other signs to look out for.

Cramping: Period-like pain that comes and goes that is also felt in the abdomen and lower back.

Pelvic Pressure: Also called lightning, the baby drops lower into the pelvis and causes increased pressure.

Contractions: A tightening of the uterus that feels stronger each time and becomes more frequent.Membrane rapture: The amniotic fluid or the bag of water surrounding your baby in the womb breaks. This is the most tell-tale sign of labor, and in this case, you must get to your medical provider immediately.

Should You Call The Doctor?

Losing mucus plug is normal in pregnancy. In most cases, it is a sign that the labor is going to start. However, if you see more amount of bright red blood in the mucus plug, it may be a concerning issue. Also, when the mucus couples with bleeding, it means that there are pregnancy complications. Placental abruption or placenta previa are some common things here. 

Should you have the following symptoms, call your OBGYN immediately:

• Pain, cramps, or contraction accompanied by heavy bleeding
• A sudden gush of fluid discharge from the vagina
• Mucus plug loss before completing 37 weeks of pregnancy

FAQs

Final Steps  

It is a positive sign to lose the mucus plug. It means that you are proceeding toward labor, and the baby will finally come out. Most pregnant women lose the mucus plug during or after the 37th week of their pregnancy. It should not be a reason to worry about. Instead, it is a sign for delivery soon. We always suggest contacting your doctor whether the symptoms are normal or you are facing any severe issues.

You should discuss the possible symptoms you could look out for in the last few days of your pregnancy with your OBGYN or midwife. It can comfort you and help you stay prepared for all that’s to come.

However, if there are any questions or concerns, you can leave them in the comment section. We will get back to you as soon as possible. 

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