#Early mucus plug pregnancy full#

This shouldn’t be painful or cause any major side effects, however, it is normal for the loss of a mucus plug to also be accompanied by early symptoms of labor such as cramping, contractions, or even membrane rupturing (i.e. One of the tell-tale signs that you’ve lost your mucus plug is the presence of extra mucus that looks like discharge in your underwear or on a piece of toilet paper. Signs to look out for when losing your mucus plug However, it’s important to bear in mind that every pregnancy is different, with some women losing their mucus plug relatively early and others losing it as late as during labor itself.

#Early mucus plug pregnancy full#

When does labor start after losing your mucus plug?Īfter losing your mucus plug, labor can start anytime within the next weeks, days, or even hours if you’re closer to full term. This process is completely normal and necessary for preparing the body for delivery, and it typically occurs sometime in the final three weeks of pregnancy. Again, if this occurs prior to 37 weeks, speak with your doctor immediately.įinally, nature has its own way of passing the mucus plug by dilating and softening the cervix. That’s because this exam may disrupt the opening of the cervix, causing your mucus plug to become dislodged. In addition to sex, a cervical exam is another potential event that may lead to the loss of the mucus plug. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think that you’ve lost your mucus plug due to sex, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor just to be on the safe side. As you approach your 37-week milestone of pregnancy, try to be aware of this and proceed carefully when having sex with your partner. There are a few different events that may cause you to lose your mucus plug.įor example, even though it’s safe to have sex while pregnant, sexual intercourse can disrupt the mucus plug resulting in its release. What can cause you to lose your mucus plug? In some cases, it may have blood in it which may cause it to have a red, pink, or brown tinge.Ī typical mucus plug can be anywhere from 1-2 tablespoons in volume and 1-2 inches in length, and it can feel stringy, stretchy, or gooey to the touch. For example, it can be clear, white, off-white, or even yellowish in color. When the mucus plug is released from the body, it looks very similar to heavy discharge. What does mucus plug discharge look like? They can perform any necessary checks and offer reassurance on the health of your pregnancy. If you haven’t reached 37 weeks of pregnancy yet but think that you have already lost your mucus plug, it’s a good idea to go ahead and speak with your doctor. If you are approaching labor and still haven’t lost your mucus plug, don’t worry! Some women do not lose their mucus plug until they are actually in labor. While some women lose their mucus plug all in one go, it’s also perfectly normal to lose it gradually in the final days or weeks of pregnancy. Losing your mucus plug When do you lose your mucus plug?Īccording to the American Pregnancy Association, the mucus plug is typically released sometime after week 37 of pregnancy. In terms of color, the mucus plug can range from clear, white, off-white, yellow, pink, red, or brown. It is a thick, “gloopy” collection of mucus that is no more than 2 tablespoons in volume.

Inside the body, the mucus plug sits inside the cervical canal between the vagina and uterus. Mucus plugs and pregnancy What does a mucus plug look like? Because every pregnancy and body is different, the release of the mucus plug can occur anywhere from a few weeks to a few hours before labor. The mucus plug is eventually expelled through the vagina sometime before labor and often resembles heavy discharge. This helps to protect the pregnancy by preventing potentially harmful bacteria and viruses from entering the uterus. Its purpose is to act as a barrier between the vagina and the uterus. What is a mucus plug?Ī mucus plug is a collection of jelly-like mucus that forms inside the cervix during pregnancy. We’ll also cover other early signs of labor and situations where you should contact your doctor. If you’ve never heard about the mucus plug before or don’t quite know what to expect – you’re in the right place! This article will cover everything you need to know about what a mucus plug is, what it looks like, and when you can expect to lose it. However, as you approach the end of your pregnancy, it’s important to be aware of one key event that can look very similar to heavy discharge: losing your mucus plug.

As a pregnant woman, you’re probably already used to life with more vaginal discharge than normal.