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