This way, when labor does start, you are physically well-prepared. Eat well, hydrate, take walks, and rest as much as you can. If you see the mucus plug, you can start preparing for labor, even if it is weeks away. Your body can also regenerate some of that cervical mucus, so there is no cause for concern regarding infection. Like I mentioned, the mucus plug can be discharged weeks before your baby is born. You probably don’t even need to contact your provider, unless you are having regular painful contractions, leakage of amniotic fluid, or a moderate amount of bleeding. Sadly, it’s not time grab your hospital bag and race to the hospital. What should I do if I see the mucus plug? Seeing the mucus plug indicates that your body is getting ready for labor, but it does NOT mean you’re actually in labor.
It means that you will likely have a baby at some point in the next few hours… or weeks. The short of it is…discharging the mucus plug doesn’t mean a whole lot. How long after losing your mucus plug does it take to go into labor? It may come out in strings or clumps, or perhaps all at once. It is usually a clear, brown, or blood-tinged collection of mucus. As you get closer to labor, your cervix will begin to soften and widen in preparation for delivery, causing the plug to be discharged into your vagina. Eventually, the mucus forms a plug that sits at the opening of your cervix to act as an extra barrier to protect the baby that is growing in your uterus. What is a mucus plug?ĭuring pregnancy, your cervix secretes mucus to keep the area moist. I am here to demystify the concept of the mucus plug so that you feel better prepared about what it may or may not mean if you happen to see it. Often, women will start to see changes in their cervical mucus-including the appearance of the mucus plug-and wonder if it means that they are in labor. We monitor our bodies closely for any changes that signal us to know that the time has come. Toward the end of pregnancy, many women are excited and sometimes anxious about how and when labor will begin. Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area and see what NCT activities are happening nearby.It’s time to set the record straight on our little friend… the mucus plug. We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby. Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 03. However, if it’s accompanied by more blood loss, or if the plug itself is very bloody, then give the midwife or antenatal ward a call to ask for advice. You don’t normally need to tell your midwife about it. Or it could be in smaller pieces which come away over several hours or more. It could be in one single piece, like a blob of gel. When you are losing the mucus plug, You’ll notice it on your underwear or on toilet paper after going to the loo. You’ll see it as a jelly-like substance, which might be clear or slightly pink or streaked with a small amount of blood.
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You might be asked ‘have you had a show?’ if the midwife is assessing you in early labour. The plug coming away is known as ‘having a show’. "If your mucus plug is very bloody, do give your midwife a call." What is 'a show' in pregnancy? It loosens and comes away fully any time near the end of your pregnancy, from between about two weeks to a few hours before you begin contractions (although some women may never notice it at all). This ‘plug’ acts as an additional barrier, protecting your baby from bacteria. During pregnancy, your cervix is ‘sealed’ by a plug of mucus, which normally stays in place until the start, or close to the start, of labour.
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