| Losing the mucus plug is one of the physical | | | | mucus on their underpants in the last weeks; |
| changes some women undergo before actual | | | | this is basically the mucus plug. The thick |
| labor begins. As the cervix effaces and | | | | mucus has been blocking the opening to the |
| dilates, capillaries often rupture and tints | | | | cervix for a while now. Basically what is |
| the mucus pink or streaks it with blood. The | | | | happening is that as you near your due date, |
| thick mucus has been blocking the opening to | | | | this plug dislodges and breaks up and passes |
| the cervix since the early part of pregnancy. | | | | out of your body. When this happens your body |
| As the due date approaches, this plug | | | | is preparing for labor. Labor can commence |
| dislodges, breaks up and passes out of the | | | | within hours after the plug is dislodged but |
| pregnant woman's body. When this happens it | | | | in most cases it will take days before you go |
| is clear your body is preparing for labor. | | | | into proper labor. |
| Labor can however commence within hours for | | | | |
| some but most probably can take up to days | | | | In case you didn't already know: |
| for many. | | | | |
| | | | • Not every woman experiences the |
| The Facts | | | | expulsion of this gelatinous discharge. |
| | | | |
| • Your cervix is responsible for | | | | • • Your cervix is part of your |
| producing the cork of mucus which will | | | | reproductive system that is responsible for |
| collect and seal the opening of the uterus | | | | producing this mucus. |
| throughout your pregnancy. | | | | |
| | | | • During pregnancy a thick plug of |
| • This thick plug of mucus plays a | | | | mucus collects at the cervix and seals it; |
| crucial role by acting as a barrier against | | | | the protection offered by this glob is vital |
| external infections throughout the pregnancy | | | | as it serves to function as a barrier |
| months. | | | | throughout your pregnancy against external |
| | | | infections. |
| • Not every woman experiences the | | | | |
| expulsion of this gelatinous discharge and | | | | • It is important to remember that this |
| this therefore makes it one reason why this | | | | glob of mucus cannot be considered as a |
| mucus chunk cannot be relied upon as a true | | | | reliable sign of labor. |
| sign of labor. | | | | |
| | | | • Towards the end of pregnancy the |
| • Towards the end of pregnancy the | | | | mucus plug lessens in importance because its |
| mucus plug lessens in importance because its | | | | tendency to free itself from the cervix |
| tendency to free itself from the cervix | | | | increases with vaginal exams or with the |
| increases with vaginal exams or with the | | | | natural thinning and dilation of the cervix. |
| natural thinning and dilation of the cervix. | | | | |
| | | | • When the plug dislodges, labor can be |
| • When the plug dislodges labor can be | | | | 1 day to 3 weeks away. Do not panic and |
| 1 day to 3 weeks away. Don't panic and assume | | | | assume that labor has begun at the sight of |
| you are going into labor at the sight of this | | | | this clear or blood stained discharge on your |
| clear or blood stained discharge on your | | | | underpants. |
| underpants; it could simply mean that the | | | | |
| cervix is undergoing the expected pre-labor | | | | • When the plug dislodges, it is simply |
| changes. | | | | telling you that your cervix is effacing and |
| | | | or dilating and that the labor process is not |
| • When the plug dislocates, it is | | | | too far behind. |
| simply telling you that your cervix is | | | | |
| effacing and or dilating and that the labor | | | | • This wad of sticky, thick mucus |
| process is not far behind. | | | | dislocates from the cervix when it begins to |
| | | | dilate or open wider and is pushed into the |
| • This wad of sticky, thick mucus | | | | vagina |
| dislocates from the cervix when it begins to | | | | |
| dilate or open wider and is pushed into the | | | | • Dislodgement doesn't necessarily |
| vagina | | | | indicate that labor is imminent; it could |
| | | | simply mean that the cervix is going through |
| • If you are not sure about what you | | | | normal changes. |
| see, don't hesitate to contact your doctor to | | | | |
| rule out serious possibilities | | | | • If you are unsure about what you see, |
| | | | do not hesitate to contact your doctor to |
| When to call your doctor.. | | | | rule out serious possibilities. |
| | | | |
| • This discharge can be confused with | | | | You should call your Doctor.. |
| the amniotic fluid which is watery in | | | | |
| consistency as opposed to the gelatinous | | | | • Don't confuse this discharge with the |
| texture of the mucus plug. Amniotic leakage | | | | amniotic fluid which is runny in consistency |
| is not something you should take lightly; | | | | as opposed to the gelatinous texture of the |
| report it to your caregiver ASAP | | | | mucus plug. Amniotic leakage should be |
| | | | reported ASAP. |
| • If the discharge is bright red in | | | | |
| color and copious, contact your care provider | | | | • If the discharge is bright red in |
| ASAP. You could be bleeding which is | | | | color and copious, contact your care provider |
| indicative of premature separation of the | | | | ASAP. |
| placenta or placenta previa, both of which | | | | |
| require immediate medical attention. | | | | • You could be bleeding which is |
| | | | indicative of premature separation of the |
| One sure sign of labor is when you lose the | | | | placenta or placenta previa, both of which |
| mucus plug. It can be tinged with blood or | | | | require immediate medical attention. |
| clear in color. Some women may notice the | | | | |