If you notice what looks like the mucus plug before 37 weeks of pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider, because this may be a sign of preterm labor.
#Mucus plug early pregnancy full
If your pregnancy goes to full term, you’ll most likely lose your mucus plug in the ninth month of pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different, so contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns. Or, your mucus plug might want to wait until the last moment and appear at the very onset of labor. The mucus plug can come loose several days or even one or two weeks before labor starts. How Long After Losing the Mucus Plug Does Labor Start?Īlthough losing the mucus plug can be a sign of labor, it doesn’t always mean it’s baby time in the near future. Increased vaginal discharge is common throughout pregnancy, whereas the mucus plug acts like a barrier and typically isn’t expelled until later in your pregnancy. The mucus plug is thick and jelly-like, whereas vaginal discharge tends to be thinner or lighter in texture and consistency. Vaginal discharge, on the other hand, is usually light yellow or white. As you read above, the mucus plug is typically clear or off-white, but might appear red, brown, or pink if it mixes with blood in your cervix. So, if you’re wondering if it’s the mucus plug you see or normal vaginal discharge, here’s how you can tell:Ĭolor. Is It the Mucus Plug or Vaginal Discharge?īecause vaginal discharge is common during pregnancy, it’s easy to mistake this for the mucus plug, especially as you near labor. Thick, jelly-like, and slightly sticky and/or stringyĪnywhere from one to two inches in lengthĪnywhere from one to two tablespoons in volume
The overall look and texture of a mucus plug will vary from person to person, but most commonly the plug will be:Ĭlear, off-white, or slightly bloody with a pink, red, or brown hue You might notice it on the toilet paper after you wipe, or you may not see it at all! If you notice bleeding that’s heavy, like a menstrual period, contact your healthcare provider, as this might not be the mucus plug coming out but something else that may require medical attention. The mucus can come out in one thick string, one big glob, or in smaller segments. If it’s not your first pregnancy, your cervix can often be slightly dilated for a large part of the pregnancy, which can increase the chance of losing your mucus plug earlier than expected.The discharge you might see in a mucus plug can be clear, pink, a little bloody, or brownish in color. Why Would You Lose Your Mucus Plug in Early Pregnancy?Īlthough losing your mucus plug is commonly associated with early labor, it can actually be lost at any time, or even multiple times, during pregnancy. However you should mention it to your care provider next time you have an appointment. The mucus plug can be lost multiple times and then regrow.Īs long as you only lose your plug and don’t have any other issues such as pain or bleeding, it’s unlikely that it indicates a problem with your pregnancy. In most women, the plug is lost in the third trimester, during labor or may not even be seen at all.ĭoes Losing Your Mucus Plug Mean a Miscarriage?Īlthough it can be worrying if you lose your mucus plug, losing it does not necessarily mean there is a problem. It’s one of the many ways that the pregnant body protects the baby in the uterus. The mucus plug, also known as the bloody show, is a big glob of mucus and discharge which blocks the cervical opening during pregnancy. This site contains paid advertising and affiliate links, from which we may earn a commission when you click (at no cost to you). Disclaimer: This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.
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