Mucus Plug
As the third trimester weeks crawl by, many pregnant women look for any sign that labor is impending. One of these signs is the loss of the mucus plug. Many women don’t even know what the mucus plug is, or what they should look for. They only know that the loss of it signifies that SOMETHING is happening after months of waiting.
What Is the Mucus Plug?
The mucus plug is exactly what it sounds like. It is a concentration of mucus that is deposited in the opening of the cervix to block germs and bacteria from entering the uterus.
During pregnancy, the mucus is clear and would look much like a woman’s normal vaginal discharge. However, as the cervix begins to thin out and blood is released, there will be some blood deposited onto the mucus plug. As a woman’s cervix opens she will begin to lose the plug, either in bits of stringy, blood tinted mucus over a period of time, or all at once. This can happen up to two weeks before labor actually begins.
The loss of the mucus plug should not be confused with a woman’s bloody show which occurs during labor as a woman begins bleeding prior to delivery. The bloody show will be obviously different than the mucus plug as it is mostly blood and very little or no mucus.
When Should You Call Your Doctor?
Generally there is no need to call your doctor or midwife when you begin to lose your mucus plug, assuming it is clear or just has a little blood showing. Of course, if you feel any concern or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact them. You can also mention it to your provider at your next visit. You should definitely contact your provider if the mucus becomes extremely bloody or you continue to experience discharge. It could be a sign that labor has started, or it could also possibly be a sign of a complication like placenta previa or of a placental abruption.
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Jenny says...
I think I have lost my mucus plug but I’m not sure for 2 day’s now I have had a clear slimey snot like coming out on my tolitepaper when I wipe it started yeasterday morning then all day it went then at about 9-10am this morning it stoped there was no blood in it at all is this my mucus plug???
Suz says...
Jenny,
I’m not a doctor, but it does sound like that is your mucus plug coming out slowly rather than all at once. Personally, I lost mine this morning - completely clear and in one big glob. I did notice a few days earlier some thicker discharge (yes, it is snot like :)). So there may be more to come! Good luck
Kimber says...
I am at 36 weeks and have been having contractions (braxton hicks) left and right. My dr said yesterday I had dialated 1 cm and she could stretch to almost 2cm. My cervex is 65
Am I going to go till my due date (3/15) or could this baby come a bit early? This is not my first baby, but the first time everything has happened this early. Thank you. 
% thinned out and the baby is at +2 station. I lost my mucus plug this morning.
mariea says...
I’ve been having the discharge,but I don’t think I lost my mucus plug yet at least I don’t think so. I’m already 37 weeks. I should be losing it soon right this isn’t my first baby but i with my other pregnancies I lost it at like 37 weeks, but when I walk like a half of mile opr even down the street I feel a lot of pressure is that a sign labor is coming?
Krystle says...
I lost my mucus plus this afternoon at work. Yuck. On top of that I told my co worker and she told everyone that I my water had broke. They called a code K and everything, which was wierd because code K means cardiac arrest at the hospital that I work at. Well if that was not embarrassing enough I also have severe swelling in my feet, ankles, and thighs. My foot looks like a latex glove that has been blown up. I went to the emergency room for the swelling today and they thought it was preclamsia but it was not and they sent in every doctor just to see my legs becauseof the size. I am also still only 2 cm dilated yet contracting like crazy. I’m extremely overwhelmed with this pregnancy and my backaches have become so severe that I am on tylenol 3 with codeine for pain. Is there anyone else out there who has these insane backpains and extreme leg and foot swelling?
ronnie says...
I went to the bathroom today and when I wiped myself there was like snot on the tissue..im 37 weeks and I have dialated any but I have been having contractions…hopefully the next time I go to my doctor he tells me im dialated..even just a little..one night my contractions was so bad they sent me to the hospital only for me to be sent back home…I think my baby is gonna come a little early
Emma says...
i’m 38 weeks with my 1st baby and i have always had a little bit of discharge throughout my whole preganacy and sometimes it is rather thick.. Is this normal ?? and how would i know the difference between that and my mucuos plug ?because i know not everyone gets blood in theirs
Nicola says...
Hi all, in the same boat although I am 36 weeks with my first baby, started losing my mucus plug today (no blood) just really thick and slimey. I keep refering to the baby books and internet for advice, they say you usually lose your mucus plug aprox 2 weeks before birth good luck all
sarah says...
hi, i have had some mucus stuff come out of me and i’m only 33weeks is that even safe? i’m scared but it is clear and i heard it can be weeks till you have your baby even if that happens. i’m just worried for the baby!
Lisseth says...
Hi i am 37 weeks and 4 days
I yesterday i went to the er b/c i had alot of contractions like 15 mins aprt and thn 5 and on……The doc told me i am 1cm dialated…..After 8 hrs I threw like Brownish discharge …..what does this mean?? Am i dialating more or what? I just know that i ont make it till may 3 b/c my ob said b/c i am 4′11 and i am jjust belly …will see ..i just want him out
holly says...
i am 26 weeks with my second child. my first i was a week over due and had no discharge but with this one i have had alot of discharge and here in there will have that snot looking discharge. is that normal for being only 26 weeks.
hirisk says...
Hi all, I’m 34 years old and I am 29 weeks pregnant. My boyfriend noticed the thick slimy discharge. Can this be my mucus plug? Can this be a problem, my first child was born at 28 weeks due to hypertension. I am high risk with blood pressure and gestational diabetes can this be a sign that my baby is coming early again.
bernadette says...
hi im going to be 23 weeks tommorrow and throught my whole pregnbacy and even before i think i had somekind of discharge is this normal? im with my first child and dont know alot of things
angela says...
hello. i am 30 wks and this is my 3rd baby. with every baby the discharge gets worse and the pain gets even worse. everyone of my pregnancies have been different in ways though. the dicharge is normal, some people or worse than others. don’t worry about those things, as long as your dr says you’re good, then you are fine. it’s all worth it in the end. you will experience the most beautiful thing in the world.
Nicole says...
With my first baby I lost my plug on a friday (it was whitish with a tiny swirl of blood) and then delivered him Sunday at 41 wks. I am 39 weeks along today, and at my appt last week I had NOTHING going on. So irritating. But this week I’ve had an increase in vaginal discharge (clear and egg whitish) and this morning a clump of clear snotty type yuck was on the paper. I know it was my plug. No blood this time, but every time is different. I just hope this means I’m going to go into labor in another 2 days like last time! The plug doesn’t always come out at once and doesn’t always have to have blood in it. I do wish there was a more precise description so we could ALL know for sure.. but it’s just so different with each person.