Losing the mucus plug during pregnancy can feel different for every woman. For some, it may go unnoticed or be painless. For others, it may be accompanied by pressure, cramping, or other sensations. Here’s an in-depth look at what losing the mucus plug is, what it might feel like, and when to call your healthcare provider.
What is the Mucus Plug?
The mucus plug is a collection of cervical mucus that builds up and blocks the opening of the cervix during pregnancy. It forms early on in the first trimester and acts as a protective barrier, preventing bacteria and other foreign substances from entering the uterus.
The mucus plug is made up of cervical mucus, which thickens and increases during pregnancy thanks to rising estrogen levels. It may be clear, streaked with blood, or appear mucousy or gelatinous.
As delivery approaches, the cervix begins to thin and efface in preparation for labor and birth. This causes the mucus plug to loosen and dislodge from the cervix. Expulsion of the mucus plug is known as “losing the mucus plug” or “bloody show.”
What Does Losing the Mucus Plug Feel Like?
For many women, losing the mucus plug is painless and goes unnoticed. The mucus plug may dislodge all at once or over a period of time in the days or weeks leading up to labor.
When the mucus plug comes out, women may experience:
- Increased vaginal discharge that is thick, mucousy, or bloody
- Wetness in the underwear or on toilet tissue after wiping
- Pink, red, or brown tinted mucus or discharge
While losing the mucus plug is painless for most, some women may experience:
- Menstrual-like cramping or pressure in the pelvis or lower back
- Intestinal cramping leading to loose stools
- Aches in the vagina, cervix, uterus, or pelvic region
- An urge to have a bowel movement
The intensity and duration of any discomfort varies from woman to woman. Cramping and pain may come and go after the mucus plug has dislodged. However, normal movement and activity does not typically increase discomfort.
When Does the Mucus Plug Dislodge?
The mucus plug can loosen and discharge any time from a few weeks to a few hours before labor begins:
- Weeks before labor: Some women lose their mucus plug around 37 weeks of pregnancy or earlier. This is known as the “bloody show.” It can regenerate and be lost again.
- Days before labor: Many women lose their mucus plug in the days leading up to the onset of labor.
- Hours before labor: Some women don’t notice the loss of the mucus plug until right before labor contractions start.
It’s impossible to predict precisely when labor will start based on losing the mucus plug alone. However, it’s a good indication that the body is preparing for delivery.
What Does the Mucus Plug Look Like?
The discharge from the loss of the mucus plug can vary greatly from woman to woman. It may appear as:
- A thick, jelly-like glob of mucus or discharge
- Blood-tinged or brown-tinged mucus
- Heavy menstrual period-like bleeding with small clots
- An increase in thin, watery vaginal discharge
- Long strings or strands of bloody or yellowish mucus
The mucus plug may come out all at once in a single large clump, or it may be passed slowly over the course of several days or weeks. The amount can vary too, from a small amount of discharge to much heavier passing of mucus or blood-tinged fluid.
Is Losing the Mucus Plug Normal?
In most cases, losing the mucus plug is a normal part of preparing for labor and delivery. As long as the discharge is thick and mucousy, mild smelling, or streaked with old blood, it is likely just the mucus plug.
However, if the discharge smells foul, looks gray or green, or if it is accompanied by bleeding as heavy as a menstrual period, it could signal an infection or other problem. Contact your healthcare provider right away.
Do I Need to Call My Doctor?
In most cases, you do not need to call your healthcare provider when you lose your mucus plug. However, you should contact your provider right away if you have any of the following:
- Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in an hour)
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Green, gray, or yellow discharge
- Fever, chills, or vomiting
- Regular contractions or intense cramping
- Decreased fetal movement
- Leaking fluid in a gush or steady trickle
- Sudden or severe pelvic pressure
Notify your healthcare provider at any point if you have concerns about symptoms you are experiencing or changes you notice after losing your mucus plug.
How Long After Losing the Plug Does Labor Start?
There is no set time frame for how long after losing the mucus plug that labor will begin. Every woman is different:
- Hours: Some women go into labor within hours of noticing they’ve lost their mucus plug.
- Days: Many women go into labor within 24-48 hours of losing their plug.
- Weeks: Some women don’t go into labor until days or even weeks after discharging their mucus plug.
Losing the mucus plug signals your body is making changes in preparation for labor. But other factors have to align for labor to start, like contractions, cervix dilation, and hormone changes. So try not to become too anxious or worried if labor doesn’t start right away after losing the mucus plug.
How to Speed Up Labor After Losing the Plug
If you are full term and hoping to help encourage the onset of labor after losing your mucus plug, here are some natural ways to prepare the body:
- Have sex: Sexual stimulation can trigger the release of oxytocin to promote contractions.
- Take a walk: Mild exercise may help get contractions going.
- Massage pressure points: Acupressure may stimulate contractions.
- Drink red raspberry leaf tea: It contains compounds that tone the uterus.
- Eat dates: They contain compounds that prime the cervix for dilation and effacement.
- Relax: Stress inhibits oxytocin, so take time to relax and unwind.
However, keep in mind that these are just ideas for natural induction. You should always talk to your healthcare provider before trying to self-induce labor. Never use castor oil or enemas, as they can cause severe cramping, diarrhea, and fetal distress.
What to Do After Losing the Plug
Here are some tips for what to do after losing your mucus plug:
- Take note of when you lost your mucus plug and what symptoms you felt.
- Inspect the discharge for signs of infection – foul odor, pus, green or grey color.
- Avoid inserting anything in the vagina – tampons, fingers, sex toys.
- Continue normal routines but take it easy and get plenty of rest.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
- Maintain healthy nutrition and eat regular meals.
- Limit activity if you have heavy bleeding.
- Watch for contractions and time them if they become regular.
While losing the mucus plug signals labor is likely approaching, most women still have days or even weeks before they go into active labor. Try not to become too anxious, and don’t hesitate to call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much blood is normal with the mucus plug?
A small amount of blood-tinged discharge is normal when losing the mucus plug. Heavy bleeding similar to a menstrual period or that soaks a pad in an hour is not normal and should be evaluated.
What color should the mucus plug be?
The mucus plug is normally clear, streaked with blood, or mucousy in color. Yellow, green, gray, or foul-smelling plug discharge could indicate an infection.
Can the mucus plug come out and regenerate?
Yes, after losing the mucus plug, more mucus and discharge may continue to build up and clog the cervix. It is possible to lose your mucus plug multiple times before labor begins.
Does bloody show mean labor is close?
Bloody show indicates labor is approaching but not necessarily imminent. It signals the body is undergoing changes in preparation for delivery, which could still be days or weeks away.
Can you lose your mucus plug without knowing?
Yes, it is possible to lose the mucus plug without noticing, especially if it sheds slowly over days or weeks. Many women only realize in hindsight that they must have lost their plug leading up to labor.
Conclusion
Losing the mucus plug is a milestone event signaling your body is preparing for delivery. While exciting, it doesn’t guarantee labor is imminent, so try not to become too anxious. Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms concern you.
Otherwise take it easy, stay hydrated, and rest up as much as possible in these final days before meeting your baby! Wishing you a safe, smooth labor and delivery.