Mucus Plug: Important Facts and What You Need to Know
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: May 16, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: May 16, 2024Table of Contents
When a woman gets pregnant the body undergoes a lot of changes. One such change is the formation of a mucus plug. This little component works to protect the baby from harmful bacteria and early birth. In this article, we will discuss what it is, why it’s important, and what happens when you lose it. We’ll also discuss how its loss links to labour. Lastly, we will discuss some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
The mucus plug is vital for a safe pregnancy. It acts as a shield separating your baby from any danger outside the womb.
During pregnancy, a thick, jelly-like mass forms in the cervix opening. This mass, called the mucus plug, contains mucins (glycoproteins) which ward off infections from getting inside the womb.
In essence, the mucus plug’s main job is to protect your growing baby, particularly from infections, and it also helps dodge the risk of early labour.
Some bacteria are kept at bay by the mucus plug. These include Group B Streptococcus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
It’s a lesser-known fact that during pregnancy, the texture of the mucus in the cervix gets thicker because of a hormone called progesterone. The size of the cervical mucus plug also gets quite big, about 10 grams.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta
It starts right when fertilization happens. A slimy substance from mucosal cells piles up in the cervix opening and hardens into a mucus plug. This plug then grows and changes during pregnancy.
The mucus plug is not just mucin. Other substances that fight infections also exist in it. It contains proteins, enzymes, and immune factors. These keep the womb safe for your growing baby.
Did you know?
As labour draws near, the mucus plug is lost.
There’s no schedule for losing the mucus plug. It often happens nearer to the end of pregnancy. The start of labour may vary, but usually hours, days, or weeks after the mucus plug peels away.
As the cervix gets ready for birth, the mucus plug leaves through the vagina. The shedding may happen all at once or bit by bit. This sometimes makes it hard to know when it’s all out.
If it drops before week 37 of pregnancy, that’s a warning sign of early labour. It is crucial to take note of when and how it happened for reference when you see your healthcare provider.
One can tell when that they are losing the mucus plug by an increased discharge that may be clear, creamy, yellow-white, pink-tinged, or streaked. Noticing any bloody show on the underwear or toilet paper. It might also be a spot that is beige or brown in colour. Sticky and jelly-like substances could come out all at once as well.
Knowing what a mucus plug looks like helps identify when it is lost.
A mucus plug usually looks like jelly but is slightly blood-tinged. Not far off regular vaginal discharge but its colour, size, and texture vary.
A mucus plug can be clear, yellow-white, pink, beige, or brown. The colour depends on personal health factors, where in pregnancy you are, and the presence of possible infections.
The mucus plug isn’t always the same in feel or makeup. It’s often sticky, stringy, or lumpy.
Not really. Sometimes it all comes out at once, while other times, it falls away bit by bit. But if discharge grows in amount and changes in colour and texture, that signals the mucus plug might be coming out.
Losing the mucus plug usually means that labour is not far off. But how soon the labour will start is not exact. False alarms can also arise.
When the mucus plug falls out, it hints that the cervix is starting to open, soften, and thin. The body is getting ready to give birth.
It can be hours, days, or weeks after losing the mucus plug. Keeping track on other birth signs like contractions and water breaking is also essential. These can offer more precise hints on when labour will start.
There is no set timeframe between losing the mucus plug and labour’s start, so don’t fall for false alarms. Watch out for regular and painful contractions and water breaking to better tell when labour is coming.
Additional signs of labour apart from mucus plug loss include:
The mucus plug also shows antiviral activity and stops viruses. Studies show that proteins in this plug, like MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC5B, are found to strongly stop some strains of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from working.
Dr. Rajeev Singh
What needs to be done next depends on factors like how far along is the pregnancy and what symptoms are presenting.
The healthcare provider needs to be informed if the mucus plug is lost before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It could mean an increased chance of early labour.
If the pregnancy is over 37 weeks and the health is good, usually nothing needs to be done right away after losing the mucus plug. Note any changes and discuss it in the next doctor visit. Use a pad or panty liner if more discharge follows.
Get in touch with your doctor or midwife right away if you lose the mucus plug before week 37 of pregnancy or if:
Remember what it looked like, the amount, and other signs when the mucus plug was lost for the upcoming healthcare appointment.
The mucus plug does a great job of safeguarding a healthy pregnancy. It gives protection from infections and dangers to the baby as it develops. Losing the mucus plug usually means labour is not far away. Sometimes hours, days, or even weeks pass in between.
Knowing how a mucus plug looks, its traits and the after-effects of losing it helps prepare the mother better for giving birth and signals when to meet the healthcare professional. Being in frequent contact with the healthcare team is important for the mother and baby’s well-being.
The mucus plug often appears like a thick, jelly-like substance that may have some blood mixed in. Colour varies from clear to yellow-white, pink, beige, or brown.
Ask the healthcare provider for advice on sex after losing the mucus plug. Personal factors and pregnancy needs may be part of the equation.
Losing the mucus plug early can flag a risk of preterm labour. Check in with the healthcare provider promptly if the mucus plug falls away before you reach week 37 of pregnancy.
Jelly-like discharge when pregnant is usually normal due to more cervical mucus output. But, get in touch with the healthcare provider if they feel, a change in colour, amount , or if more signs appear.
How much cervical dilation has occurred when the mucus plug drops varies. Usually, as the cervix starts to open and thin, the mucus plug is likely to be pushed out.
One sign that the mucus plug is peeling off is when more discharge appears from the vagina. A clear sign can be tricky though, as the plug can sometimes peel away without obvious signs or little by little over a period.
After the mucus plug drops, get in touch with the healthcare provider. They can give personal advice on any activity limits needed based on specific pregnancy situations and concerns.
No, they’re different. When the mucus plug drops, it means the cervix is changing to get ready for birth. When water breaks, the amniotic sac tears, which means labour is about to start.
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