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