![]() ![]() Is often clear or milky-white in colour.Is often either off-white or pink in colour.Can appear thick, stringy, gooey or jelly-like.However, there are some key differences that might help you decipher between the two. ‘However, often there may not be any visible or identifiable signs.’ What's the difference between discharge and a mucus plug?įrustratingly, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between your run-of-the-mill discharge and a mucus plug. ‘You may feel some wetness in your underwear or notice lumps of mucus when you go to the toilet,’ says Mr Narendra Pisal, Consultant Gynaecologist at London Gynaecology. Whilst the mucus plug can dislodge in one piece, usually, it discharges in bits and pieces, and many women aren’t aware when they have lost it. But, more often than not, losing your mucus plug is an indicator that your body is preparing itself for childbirth. That said, the mucus plug can also be discharged – though, it’s less common – after a cervical exam or following sex. When your cervix begins to soften and open wider in preparation for delivery, the mucus plug is loosened and discharged into the vagina, where it passes out, so losing your mucus plug could be an early sign that you’re going into labour. Sometimes it can be pink, off-white or have blood streaks in it.' And what happens when you lose your mucus plug? It has a thick, gelatinous consistency, and can appear stringy or thick and jelly-like. The mucus plug is, more or less, exactly what it sounds like a sort of protective cork that closes off the cervical canal and acts as a barrier to prevent sources of infection, like bacteria, from travelling up from the vagina and into the womb during pregnancy,ĭr Ayanthi Gunasekera, Specialist Registrar in Gynaecology at London Gynaecology explains: ‘The mucus plug is formed from secretions which are produced by glands in the cervix. While these changes are common during the last weeks of pregnancy, if you experience spotting or bleeding in the first or second trimester, it could be valuable to check in with your care team for guidance.Play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play Firstly, what is the mucus plug? Of course don’t hesitate to keep your midwife or OB in the loop. Like with a lot of things during pregnancy and labor, there are many variations of normal. Some women will have a good amount of noticeable blood mixed with mucus while others may not see much. The cervix is highly vascular, so it has a tendency to bleed when change occurs (like dilation) or anytime it’s manipulated (think cervical check). Often we think of blood during pregnancy as a cause for concern, but not in this case-this type of blood is normal. So how much attention should you give this little event? Well, not too much, unfortunately.Īlong with the mucus plug, many will also notice the presence of blood- or what is commonly referred to as Bloody Show. The process of losing the mucus plug can occur all at once or be long and slow (as with other signs of progress and prep work for labor!) The mucus plug has the incredible ability to regenerate if lost too soon and once you begin to see signs that you are losing your mucus plug, it can be anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks before labor starts. Once you begin to see signs that you are losing your mucus plug, it can be anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks before labor starts. Sometimes it appears as bigger, thicker jelly-like globs (yes, you read that right). Sometimes it appears as small amounts of brownish mucus when you wipe or in underwear. This discharge can be clear, pink, or even blood tinged. You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge when this happens. What happens when you lose the mucus plug?Īs the cervix starts to open (dilate) later in pregnancy, the mucus is released into the vagina. The mucus plug provides a critical added barrier of protection for your baby during pregnancy. It also contains natural, antibacterial properties that help prevent infection from reaching your baby in the uterus and preterm labor. ![]() Physically, it blocks the opening of the cervix. Technically speaking, the mucus plug is a thick collection of mucus that accumulates in the cervix during your pregnancy. So let’s dive right into this big, little part of pregnancy and labor. As far as signs of labor go, the loss of the mucus plug is well known but also a famously gray area. If any of these questions sound familiar, you’re in good company. Or is it a sign? Is that my mucus plug? Is that what it is supposed to look like? Should I tell someone? Is labor coming? You’ve been waiting and wondering when this would happen- that first sign that maybe, just maybe, your baby is ready to come out into the world. ![]()
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