I Lost My Mucus Plug: Will Labor Start Now?

Mucus is a slimy substance used for lubrication and protection. It is secreted by glands and mucous membrane. There is a gland present in the cervix that secretes mucus. It also creates the mucus plug which is formed after the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. This mucus plug is responsible for blocking the cervix’s opening and providing protection against infection. As the body prepares for labour, the cervix starts to open up. This causes the mucus plug to fall out of the cervical opening.

What does a mucus plug look like?

The easy way to describe the mucus plug is that it looks like a clear, reddish jelly. It is small in size, just 4 to 5 cm long when it is in the uterine cervix and two tablespoons when it is out of it. In fact, when it comes out of the body, it may come out in parts making its size even smaller. Different women have different discharge. Some have clear, others have slightly pink while some women have the plug blood-tinged in color. It can be a sticky discharge or stringy mucus. Sometimes, it may even go unnoticed because during pregnancy, there is an increase in vaginal discharge.

When do you lose your mucus plug?

Several weeks before the due date, the mucus plug is passed out of the body, sometimes accompanied by a bloody show. If the blood discharge lasts for more than 3 to 4 weeks before the due date, you should consult your doctor immediately because it could be a sign of the impending preterm birth.

What are the causes of the bloody show?

The bloody show is caused when the cervical mucus plus is either loosened or lost. When this happens, it can cause some blood discharge. There is no need to worry because the blood is not coming from your uterus. It is from the blood vessels that were holding the mucus plug in place. To allow the plug to pass, these blood vessels are ruptured causing a bloody show.

READ: Vaginal Discharge Before Period vs. Early Pregnancy

Will I always see the mucus plug pass?

No, it is not necessary that you will be able to see the mucus plug. In some cases, the plug passes out of the body in small bits with other pregnancy discharge. In some other cases, it passes during a normal bathroom break. In many cases, it is only when a doctor or a midwife informs the woman during a cervical check, she finds out that the mucus plug has passed.

How long will it take for labour to begin after the mucus plug passes?

Labour does not start as soon as the mucus plug is passed out of the body. The opening of the cervix is slow and in some cases, it can take weeks. In other cases, as soon as the mucus plug is passed, labour gets started causing the cervix to dilate faster. The body knows when it is good and gets ready for labour.

Is it painful when the mucus plug falls out?

Usually, there is no pain during the falling out of the mucus plug. Some women notice a little extra vaginal discharge with a tint of blood but it is not painful.

Here is what some women said about their mucus plug:

• "I went into labour and never saw a mucus plug."
• "My water broke first and there was never a mucus plug."
• "When my doctor examined me, the mucus plug was on her gloves."
• "My mucus plug passed at 37 weeks and I did not go into labour for another 4 weeks."
• "My mucus plug look like jellyfish, a little white and yellow."
• "I went into labour the same night as I passed the mucus plug."
• "My labour started 4 days after I passed my mucus plug."

When should I call my doctor if I pass a mucus plug or have a bloody show?

Here are some cases where you should call a doctor on passing the mucus plug or having a bloody show:

• You are less than 37 weeks of pregnancy
• The discharge is bright red in colour
• The amount of discharge is more than two tablespoons
• There is bright red bleeding
• You think your water bag is broken
• Fetal movement has reduced

Your doctor needs to be informed of all the complications you might be facing along with these symptoms.