The plug comes out a little every day. The mucus plug comes off on the second day. The plug came out, when is the birth and what does it look like? What measures should be taken if the plug comes off? When to see a doctor
Women who are expecting their first child listen with interest to the stories of their friends who have given birth about how their waters break before childbirth.
Much less often the conversation turns to the removal of the cork.
This is not surprising, because some women in labor are not aware of its existence, much less the role of this mucous formation during pregnancy.
Although for other women, the release of the plug is a clear sign of impending labor.
In addition, its color and consistency can tell about the characteristics of labor.
Mucus plug during pregnancy
Although this will not necessarily happen all at once, many women leak amniotic fluid gradually.
The discharge of this mucous formation can occur earlier, at 38 and even 37 weeks. This does not always mean that labor has begun and the baby will be born prematurely.
The removal of the plug can be caused by several factors:
1 Gynecological examination or sexual intercourse, which can provoke irritation of the muscle fibers of the cervix. In this case, the mucus loses contact with the cervical canal and moves away.
2 Effect of high temperature. This can happen if a pregnant woman takes hot shower or a bath - blood circulation increases and muscles tense.
3 The discharge of amniotic fluid and the onset of labor. With the rapid development of events, the release of the plug goes unnoticed by the woman.
4 A dangerous reason for the passage of a mucus plug is inflammation of the vagina, or colpitis. Its cause is an infectious process, this is very dangerous for the baby, since he can also become infected.
Traffic jam during pregnancy: what does it look like?
Pregnant women who managed to see the plug come out compare it to a jellyfish, or a piece of jelly.
It really does have a gel-like consistency. The color of the mucus plug is light yellow, pinkish.
It may contain impurities of blood veins or small clots. This is normal, because the removal of the plug often coincides with the beginning of the dilatation of the cervix, which is accompanied by rupture of small capillaries.
Only the appearance of bright red blood can cause alarm, as this may mean premature separation of the placenta during pregnancy.
In this case, you need to go to the maternity hospital as soon as possible.
In the photo: mucus plug before childbirth.
Interesting! Emotional readiness for childbirth
If the plug has a greenish tint, there is a possibility that the amniotic fluid is cloudy.
This can happen as a result of a previous expectant mother diseases during pregnancy, for example, ARVI. You need to warn your doctor about this.
It is not difficult to understand that the plug has come off, because it appearance most often it really does not look like the usual discharge.
Although in some pregnant women its discharge occurs so slowly that it resembles spotting at the beginning of menstruation.
The volume of mucus is usually about 1-2 tablespoons, but women whose plug comes off slowly and gradually are unlikely to be able to determine this. Especially if they are leaking amniotic fluid.
Removal of the plug during the second pregnancy
In women who have already given birth, the cervix has a different shape and properties. Its lumen is wider than that of nulliparous women, and it is more elastic and easier to open.
Therefore, the passage of the plug during repeated pregnancy most often occurs simultaneously. Moreover, in the mucus there are no blood streaks in most cases.
The passage of a plug during pregnancy should not cause panic in the expectant mother.
Before pregnancy, most girls have little idea of what it’s like to bear and give birth to a baby. That is, they, of course, can imagine themselves with a nice round tummy, but they have a very little idea about many physiological aspects.
For example, what is a mucus plug during pregnancy and what is it needed for, and most importantly, why is everyone so worried about when it goes away. Of course, this begins to worry all future mothers towards the end of pregnancy; every now and then doctors hear numerous questions: “I’m 38 weeks pregnant, the plug has come out, what should I do?” or “What will happen if I don’t notice when the plug comes out?”
And even after listening a lot different stories, women begin to worry about what to do if the plug comes off and labor does not begin... Let's talk about everything in order.
What is a plug during pregnancy?
A mucus plug is a clump of viscous mucus, similar to the white of a raw egg, that forms in the cervix of pregnant women. The plug forms under the influence of hormones around the end of 1 month of pregnancy, when ovum is implanted into the uterine cavity: it is at this time that the cervix softens, swells and is filled with cervical mucus produced by the cells of the cervix. With each ovulation, it thickens, forming a fairly dense clot that clogs the entrance to the uterus.
The mucus plug during pregnancy, like everything in nature, has its own function: it protects the woman's body(which is very vulnerable during this period!) from various infections entering it, for example, when swimming in a pond.
However, at the end of pregnancy, the woman’s body actively produces the hormone estrogen, under the influence of which the mucus softens, and the plug comes out by itself before childbirth - women who have given birth know that this is a signal that the labor process has entered the active phase.
The removal of the plug can be stimulated not only by natural hormonal reasons, but also by vaginal examinations by a gynecologist - the uterus reacts with smooth muscle tone, pushing out the plug. And she can go out like one gel-like viscous clot or a piece of approximately 1-2 tablespoons (or 1.5 cm in diameter), and gradually, over several days, in the form of spotting, similar to the beginning or end of menstruation.
What does a traffic jam look like before childbirth? It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from normal vaginal discharge because both its viscosity and color can vary. Usually the mucus has yellowish, pinkish color or in general colorless. Women who have given birth say that the mucus plug looks resembles jelly or jellyfish.
There may be streaks of blood in it (there’s nothing wrong with that, blood in the plug appears from the rupture of capillaries that burst from pressure when the uterus opens), but if you see in the plug not just bloody streaks, but a fairly noticeable amount of blood, this may be a sign placental abruption. In any case, it is better to consult a doctor, especially if the plug came out much earlier during pregnancy.
How does a plug come out before childbirth?
By the way, at what time should the plug come out before giving birth? The question, of course, is individual: perhaps you won’t even notice this moment, because it will go away just before birth along with the amniotic fluid, or maybe the plug will go away in advance (that’s why some women have a question about whether the plug always comes off before childbirth) .
Doctors believe that normally the plug should come off during pregnancy. no earlier than 2 weeks before the due date.
The passage of the plug is one of the three main ones, along with increasing regular contractions and the release of amniotic fluid. But, as you already understand, from the moment the plug comes out until the start of labor, it can take several hours or several days. In any case, you need to inform your obstetrician-gynecologist about this - you will be examined and, possibly, immediately placed in the prenatal department.
Most often, a plug during pregnancy comes off during a morning shower or going to the toilet: you may not even have time to see anything, but you will feel something coming out of the vagina. If this happens in another situation, you will definitely notice whitish, yellowish, pinkish or beige mucus on your underwear or sheets.
The plug came out during pregnancy: what to do?
And yet, how does the plug come out before childbirth? Determining this is not always easy, so it is better for a woman to focus on her own feelings. If you are already pregnant and are due to give birth soon, pay attention if you suddenly feel slight painful shocks, some tension and nagging pain in the lower abdomen.
This is how mothers in labor describe the process of the plug coming out before childbirth. After this, aching and nagging pains are possible, similar to those that usually accompany menstruation. Usually these pains smoothly turn into contractions. Then this is already the beginning of labor.
But there is no point in rushing to the maternity hospital yet: make sure the intensity and regularity of the contractions - when the interval between them is reduced to 10 minutes, then you can already go. And as long as the interval between contractions is longer, they themselves are not too intense and do not cause much discomfort to the expectant mother - there is no need to rush, it is better to prepare for the maternity hospital, for example, make sure that things are collected, check all important documents, take a warm shower.
Only not a bath, remember - from the moment the plug comes out during pregnancy, it becomes more difficult for your body to resist infection of the birth canal (this, by the way, is one of the arguments of opponents of water birth). But this does not mean that your child is now defenseless!
After all, he also has an amniotic sac, which, among others, also performs a protective function. Therefore, if the plug has already come off, but labor has not yet begun, there is nothing wrong with that, you just can’t swim in a bathtub, pool or pond now and you should be more careful about your personal hygiene, change your underwear and bed linen more often.
If you haven’t given up even at such a late date intimate life, after the plug comes out, you will have to do this, because the infection can easily get from the vagina into the uterine cavity.
Therefore, if the plug comes out during pregnancy, you shouldn’t fuss and panic: you have time to properly prepare and tune in, get ready, and instruct your family.
In what cases should you consult a doctor?
Failure to remove the plug before childbirth is not yet a reason to run to the gynecologist. This does not mean that all this time you were deprived of a barrier that protects the fetus from infection in your womb. Most likely, she did come out, but you simply didn’t notice it. And even if it doesn’t come out, it will come out along with the amniotic fluid or already during the birth process.
The situation is more serious if you think that the plug has already come away, but in fact the amniotic fluid has passed, which is normally absolutely transparent and colorless, and the consistency is much thinner than the mucus plug during pregnancy. We described in detail the sensations when the plug comes out above, but here’s what it’s characterized by: amniotic fluid leakage (amniotic fluid)?
This happens relatively constantly, and the amount of discharge increases with any stress on the abs, for example, coughing. To avoid possible complications during pregnancy, you should inform your doctor about your condition.
Also a reason to be wary is the removal of a cork. earlier than 2 weeks before the due date determined by the doctor during an ultrasound examination. Perhaps this is premature birth, perhaps - in any case, you can’t wait too long, you need to go to the hospital.
Another reason to consult a doctor is the copious discharge of mucus of a liquid consistency, with a large amount of bright scarlet blood: normally, the passage of the plug before childbirth is not accompanied bleeding .
By the way, during pregnancy, inform your doctor about all discharge, including the passage of the plug - this will help track the progress of pregnancy and clarify the expected date of birth.
When pregnancy occurs, the cervical mucus, which is produced by the cells of the cervix during ovulation, begins to thicken. Gradually, a thick clot is formed from it, which forms a dense plug that protects the uterus immediately until childbirth. That's why it got the name mucus plug. Its main function is protective: it protects the uterus from infection from the external environment. Let us note that by examining the entire period of pregnancy, one can note how many protective properties of the body nature has provided to protect the unborn baby.
When does the plug come out before childbirth?
Naturally, the exit must open before birth, because the child will have to be born through this opening. Of course, the release of the mucus plug usually occurs on last weeks after childbirth, however, this phenomenon is purely individual. Sometimes this happens immediately during childbirth, and sometimes a few hours before it. However, this phenomenon always indicates that the culmination and logical conclusion of pregnancy is already close.
What does a loose plug look like?
Primiparas show the greatest interest in signs of mucus plug loss. In fact, there is nothing scary or surprising about this. As a rule, in appearance it resembles a mucous lump of a whitish or yellowish tint, which may contain streaks of blood, which is associated with the dilation of the cervix, as a result of which the capillaries burst. However, the color of the cork can vary from transparent to pinkish, which is purely individual for each woman in labor.
As a rule, the mucus plug comes out while taking a shower or visiting the restroom. In this case, you may not even notice that she has moved away. Now, if this situation happened to you while you were wearing clothes, you will certainly see its consequences on your underwear. Sometimes the plug’s release occurs after an examination by a gynecologist or immediately during the release of amniotic fluid.
Sometimes the mucus plug comes off in parts, which outwardly resembles the discharge in the last days of menstruation, but is more mucous in consistency. If the cork comes off immediately, then it looks like a piece of some kind of jelly or (according to the women’s description) a jellyfish. If after this you feel some discomfort in the lower abdomen (whining or pressure), this is considered normal. However, such sensations may not arise.
What to do if the plug comes out
Remember that if you notice that your mucus plug has come off, you should not leave the house for a long time. Childbirth is already very close, and you have time to prepare for it: check that everything is ready for the trip to the maternity hospital, warn your family that the birth of the baby is coming soon. But don't panic and think that any additional procedures should be performed. You just need to calm down and wait.
Sometimes situations arise when the plug comes out immediately before childbirth, which is also natural.
When to see a doctor
However, you should consult a doctor if the discharge resembles uterine bleeding or if bloody discharge is noticed as a result of the plug coming out. You should be concerned if the plug comes off earlier than two weeks before the expected birth, and its removal is accompanied by bleeding.
Natural removal of the plug should not be accompanied by blood discharge: a small amount of blood is acceptable. Therefore, watch your body and do not panic in vain.
Author of the publication: Alisa EgorovaAs a rule, before pregnancy, no one thinks about such a phenomenon as a mucus plug; there is simply no need for it.
Rather, women are looking forward to photos of cute, round bellies, are afraid of toxicosis, and are looking forward to an ultrasound.
But towards the end of pregnancy, before childbirth, it worries women much more. And not because it causes any inconvenience. No, rather, the situation is quite the opposite: the mucus plug during pregnancy is not felt at all, and you can only guess about its existence at the moment when it comes away. And then only if the pregnant woman manages to notice this moment. Which is also not very simple.
The mucus plug is one of several mechanisms to protect the child and pregnant women from environmental influences.
And, in fact, this is the very first barrier that separates the outside world and the world of the unborn child.
During ovulation, the entire body begins to prepare for the upcoming conception and pregnancy. This process does not pass by the cervix. Already at this time it is slightly softened, and its walls begin to produce a special mucous substance.
When fertilization occurs and the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus, the body finally understands that a miracle has happened, that it is time to start taking care of maintaining the pregnancy, and reacts accordingly to this information.
One of the manifestations of this process becomes a mucus plug: within a day after this, the mucous secretions thicken and block the entrance to the uterus.
It is finally formed by the end of the first month of pregnancy. And it goes away when labor begins.
How, when and where?
The question of when the mucus plug comes off before childbirth worries many people. And understanding why this happens is not so difficult.
On the one hand, the removal of a plug before childbirth is one of the three main, most important and reliable. The other two are contractions and breaking of amniotic fluid.
On the other hand, in contrast to contractions and rupture of water, which directly indicate the onset of labor, after the plug comes off, labor can begin in an hour, a day, or a week later: according to doctors, it is considered normal if it comes off 2 weeks before the PDR or later.
Therefore, it is difficult to say how long you will have to wait for childbirth after the plug comes out.
It turns out that even if a pregnant woman has already lost her breath, this does not mean that it is time for her to go to the maternity hospital, but childbirth is just around the corner.
What does a traffic jam look like before childbirth? It is clear that it is not so easy to provide a photo of this phenomenon. In fact, it is a small clot of transparent mucus. It may be completely colorless or have a pale pink or yellowish tint. There may even be a small amount of blood in it, there is nothing to worry about.
Bloody streaks only indicate rupture of capillaries during dilatation of the cervix. If there is a lot of blood in the mucus, then the pregnant woman should consult a doctor, as this may indicate placental abruption.
How does the plug come out before childbirth?
Many people are concerned about how the expectant mother feels at this moment. The sensations may be similar to those experienced by a woman during menstruation: a nagging pain in the lower abdomen or sacrum.
It can go away during the morning toilet, for example, in the shower. In this case, the pregnant woman is unlikely to notice it.
In other cases, it is quite difficult not to notice this. There will definitely be traces of mucus on a pregnant woman's panties or bedding.
Before childbirth, the plug may come off entirely or in small fragments. Both are considered the norm. From this moment you can begin to wait for the contractions to begin.
However, if the plug goes away and there are no contractions, it’s too early to worry. Perhaps in your case the discharge is not caused by natural reasons, but, for example, by a vaginal examination by a gynecologist. In this case, it may take some time before contractions occur.
The main thing during this period is to pay more attention to personal hygiene: change bed and underwear more often, do not swim in the pool or reservoirs, and it is better to refrain from taking a bath and limit yourself to a shower.
If until now you have continued to be sexually active, now you will definitely have to give it up.
In this mode, the life of the pregnant woman will continue until labor begins.
You shouldn’t be afraid of the opposite situation: when labor begins and the plug still hasn’t come out. Firstly, perhaps it has actually moved away a long time ago, you just didn’t notice it. Secondly, even if this is not the case, it will be released along with the amniotic fluid just before birth. There's nothing wrong with that either.
When should you see a doctor?
We have listed cases that should not cause concern. It remains to talk about those things that should alert the expectant mother.
Pregnancy is a magical time when a woman is in constant anticipation. And now, in the last month of pregnancy, this anticipation becomes special, because the meeting with the child is about to happen. Many signs indicate an imminent birth, including the removal of the plug.
The fears of pregnant women are, for the most part, due to a lack of information about the processes occurring in the body while expecting a child. This is especially true for visible manifestations, which the expectant mother cannot always correctly assess from the standpoint of compliance with the norm or possible danger for your own health and the health of your baby.
You need to closely monitor any symptoms that cause the slightest concern. Thus, pregnant women are recommended to pay special attention to the following signs:
- plug release
- contractions
- leakage or rupture of amniotic fluid
- bleeding
- discharge
At different stages of pregnancy, the options for a woman’s standard of well-being have significant differences. For example, if the plug comes out or contractions begin on later– there is nothing to worry about, and if you feel it in the first or second trimesters, it is better to inform your attending doctor about it. The same applies to other signals from the body of the expectant mother.
Thus, for any condition or symptom there are approximate periods indicating the correct development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy; all other cases, on the contrary, may indicate the presence of pathologies and require additional monitoring by medical personnel.
Childbirth after the plug comes out: how long to wait?
There is an opinion among medical workers that the mucous plug in patients should come off approximately 2 weeks before the onset of labor during normal labor. The doctor warns that when the plug comes out, it is necessary not to leave this fact unattended, and also to report it during the next medical examination.
Despite this, the passage of the mucus plug does not indicate that childbirth will occur very soon. It is important to know that it may take up to a month for the plug to come out before labor begins.
On the other hand, if the passage of the plug occurred in conjunction with other precursors of labor, this state of affairs most often indicates the dilatation of the cervix and the beginning of the woman’s labor. Accordingly, you must immediately contact your supervising doctor or go to the maternity hospital.
- From the moment the mucus plug comes out, it is necessary to pay great attention to the hygiene of the genital organs of the expectant mother, since such measures make it possible to protect both the patient and the fetus from infections.
- For the same purpose, from this time until the moment of birth, it is not recommended to visit the pool, swim in a river or other body of water, or engage in sexual relations.
- A pregnant woman should complete her final preparations before labor begins and be ready to go to the hospital at any time.
Plug coming out before childbirth: reasons for its appearance
Without a doubt, nature works wisely, and the course of pregnancy and childbirth can be considered a clear confirmation of this fact. Thus, the biological clock in a woman’s body is designed in such a way that all processes of bearing a child occur exactly on time and exactly as a particular pregnant woman needs it.
There is an opinion that, just as mucus is formed in the nasal passages to protect against the penetration of infections, viruses and pathogenic bacteria, so the mucus plug that forms in the uterus during pregnancy is designed to protect the developing fetus from the penetration and negative influence of infections from the outside.
A pregnancy mucus plug is a jelly-like mass that usually forms around the end of the first month of pregnancy.
- The appearance of a plug is caused by hormonal changes in the body of a woman who is expecting a child.
- The production of hormones gives impetus to the formation of a mucus plug.
- Such processes contribute to the formation of mucus in the uterus.
- Gradually, the amount of mucus reaches a certain volume, after which it takes the form of a plug that clogs the uterine cavity.
It is known that the main purpose of the mucus plug during pregnancy is to protect the unborn baby from the influence of external unfavorable factors. Thanks to the mucus plug, the fetal environment is reliably protected from possible exposure to infections.
During a normal pregnancy, a woman is usually allowed to have sex, which is made possible by the presence of a mucus plug. It also becomes possible for the expectant mother to bathe in a bathtub at moderate water temperatures, as well as in a river, sea or other bodies of water.
At the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, the patient’s body prepares for childbirth, during which hormonal levels change. The production of hormones is responsible for softening the mucus plug, which moves from the cervix and vagina, leaving the body of a pregnant woman.
In addition to the natural process of removal of the plug, this can be facilitated by external intervention. Therefore, the doctor should examine the patient as carefully and delicately as possible. In any case, the release of the mucous plug is a signal that the moment of childbirth is approaching, which should not be left without due attention.
What does a plug look like when it comes out?
Medical practice describes different cases of mucus plug discharge during pregnancy. Taking into account the specific parameters of the pregnancy of each expectant mother, the mucus plug may look different. It is important to know certain nuances of mucus plug discharge during pregnancy.
- The plug may come off all at once or come out gradually over a certain period of time: from one to several days.
- In the case when the plug comes off in parts, a pregnant woman may not even notice this process. This is due to the fact that the amount of mucus secreted is very small.
- The volume of the cork is usually approximately two tablespoons.
Quite often, a mucus plug can be difficult to distinguish by eye from other vaginal discharge, so the patient needs to see a doctor at the earliest convenience. Only a doctor can conduct an examination and find out what the nature of the discharge is and find out what processes in the body of a pregnant woman contributed to this or that discharge.
The density and color of the mucus plug is different for each woman. Normally, a plug during pregnancy may look like:
- colorless
- whitish
- yellowish
- pinkish
- streaked with blood
It is worth noting that the appearance of blood streaks in the mucous plug of the expectant mother is also considered a normal variant. This is due to the process of dilation of the cervix, during which the smallest capillaries can burst, the blood from which mixes with mucus, resulting in the formation of a jelly-like clot mixed with blood.
At the same time, do not forget that copious scarlet blood discharge should alert a pregnant woman. In this case, it is recommended to urgently seek medical help.
There is an opinion that in primiparous and multiparous women, the process of discharge of the mucus plug occurs with some differences. It is believed that the period of pregnancy and childbirth in multiparous patients is easier. The mucus plug in women who have given birth most often comes off all at once and does not contain any blood.
- In multiparous expectant mothers, the epithelial cells of the inner surface of the cervix are looser, and the cervix itself is elastic, capable of stretching to the required size for the baby to pass through the birth canal.
- In primiparous women, on the contrary, the surface of the cervix is denser and not stretched, so the cervical canal is clogged with a mucus plug more firmly. For this reason, the plug in such women in labor may come off in parts for several days, and also have a bloody structure.
The body of previously nulliparous expectant mothers undergoes thorough preparation for childbirth, preparing epithelial cells to stretch, so the passage of the mucus plug in such cases may be accompanied by the presence of blood clots. Regardless of how many births a woman has had, the process of removal of the mucus plug during pregnancy most often occurs completely painlessly.
Cork removal: photo
Most people, especially girls who have not yet experienced pregnancy, have a very vague idea of the processes occurring in a woman’s body during this period. Moreover, listening various stories their friends and acquaintances, they most often experience a feeling of fear long before pregnancy and childbirth.
Most women are interested in the nuances of pregnancy already while expecting a child. In this case, expectant mothers read a lot of literature and obtain information from other sources, for example, on hospital stands, according to their stage of pregnancy.
Expectant mothers are especially interested in signs of impending labor, such as the release of the mucous plug, the release of amniotic fluid, and the onset of contractions.
Since no doctor can predict the exact date of birth, each woman, based on certain signals from her body, tries to do this on her own, at least approximately. A lot of information about pregnancy, childbirth and, especially, about the precursors of the onset of labor can be gleaned from websites on the Internet.
In addition to the text description, you can see photographs of the mucus plug both online and in printed literature. It is worth considering that it is better to study such information before the start of pregnancy. This will create a foundation of necessary knowledge that will ensure peace of mind for the expectant mother during pregnancy and will allow her to avoid being overloaded with a large amount of information while expecting a baby.
Thus, a photo of the appearance of a mucus plug during pregnancy can be viewed for the purpose of a general understanding of the processes occurring during pregnancy, but you should not be too impressed and try on other people’s situations and symptoms. It is better to seek advice and ask questions to your supervising doctor, and also keep notes important events and signals from your own body detailed description and the time of their occurrence.
Harbingers of childbirth: the passage of the plug during pregnancy
Naturally, any woman, being pregnant, wishes and expects a speedy successful birth. This desire especially intensifies at the end of the third trimester, when the patient’s body weight increases significantly, the quality of sleep deteriorates, heaviness and other inconveniences appear. The situation is complicated by the fact that no one can accurately determine the date of natural birth.
A competent doctor will definitely explain to a pregnant woman that only a preliminary date of birth can be predicted. Doctors are helped in this by the results of measures, including:
- tests
- examinations
- ultrasonography
- presence or absence of precursors of labor
- measuring the size of the abdomen, body weight, height of the uterine fundus, etc.
The doctor makes conclusions about the possibility imminent birth, taking into account all possible factors. In this case, the doctor informs the patient about the rules of behavior in various situations, possible signs, and asks about their presence or absence over the next period of time.
Among specialists in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, the following are considered to be harbingers of an early birth:
- release of mucus plug
- starting contractions
- rupture of amniotic fluid
It should be noted that all these signs together indicate the onset of labor within 24 hours from the moment of their appearance. But, do not forget that every woman’s body has its own individual characteristics.
So, one patient may feel the onset of one harbinger of labor, while another may feel all three at the same time. The mucus plug may come off during a visit to the toilet or other situations when the expectant mother does not detect or feel any changes due to objective circumstances. It is also not uncommon to encounter cases when the mucous plug does not come off until childbirth and is removed already during the birth of the child.
The removal of a plug before childbirth: is it necessary to appear?
Whether or not a pregnant woman noticed the moment the mucus plug came out is not so significant. The main thing is not to show concern and inform the doctor of all the circumstances recorded during the process of expecting the unborn child.
The fact is that the mucus plug may not come away at all during pregnancy, so you should not expect this event. In other cases, the plug comes off unnoticed, which is also worth remembering. The third option for the development of the situation can be called the discharge of the mucus plug noticed by the patient.
It is worth describing the appearance and color of the mucus plug to the observing doctor, consult with him and jointly draw conclusions about the imminent onset of labor in accordance with other signs accompanying the passage of the plug.
Based on the color and structure of the discharge, the medical professional will make assumptions about whether the mucus plug has actually come off or whether the discharge is of a different nature. Let us recall that normally the plug looks like small quantity mucus is whitish, yellowish, pinkish in color or completely colorless, possibly with some streaks of blood.
If the plug has come away and no other signs of labor are observed, then the time for childbirth has not come yet. But, in any case, a pregnant woman should not be away from home alone for a long time, travel or other movements that complicate the trip to the maternity hospital if such a need arises.
Contractions after the plug comes out
The passage of a mucus plug during pregnancy is one of the harbingers of labor. Another thing is that the plug can come out on its own, or it can be accompanied by other signs indicating that the onset of labor in a pregnant woman is approaching.
It should be noted that the release of the plug from the body of the expectant mother is completely natural. This situation does not require medical attention. But, in order to be calm about the condition of the woman in labor and the unborn child, you need to know for sure that it is the mucous plug that has come away, and that amniotic fluid is not leaking and the integrity of the amniotic sac, which provides nutrition and development of the baby, has not been compromised.
In fact, the nature of vaginal discharge can only be determined by examining it under a microscope, so this can only be done by a highly qualified doctor in a specially equipped laboratory. When the mucus plug comes out, it is important to consider the duration of pregnancy.
So, if the preliminary date of birth has already approached and the patient is due to give birth soon, it is necessary to pay attention to the possible occurrence of cramping pain and stiffness of the abdomen.
Sometimes you may experience a feeling of mild nagging pain, similar to menstrual pain. After them, a pregnant woman may feel contractions. In this case, most likely we are talking about the beginning of labor. You need to calm down and count the repetitions of contractions: if the interval between them does not exceed ten minutes, then you need to urgently go to the maternity hospital.
Can contractions begin without the plug coming out?
Contractions can begin at any stage of pregnancy, but, of course, normally their appearance occurs at the end of the third trimester, when they mark the beginning of labor for a pregnant woman.
The mucus plug may go away in due time, or it may not go away at all. At the same time, patients note that, most often, the pain that appears during the passage of the mucus plug is somewhat reminiscent of menstrual pain. However, it is worth remembering that in this case it is recommended to avoid taking any painkillers, as this can cause serious harm to the health of the fetus.
Only a child knows when it is time for him to be born. Therefore, uncontrolled use of any drugs during pregnancy is prohibited.
When can contractions begin without the plug coming out?
Contractions, in fact, can begin at any stage of pregnancy. Thus, their appearance is not necessarily associated with the passage of a mucus plug. In the medical environment, contractions are usually divided into training and normal.
In the first case, we are talking about preparatory processes in the body of a pregnant woman. The fact is that starting from the first day of pregnancy, the female body does everything possible to ensure normal course pregnancy and childbirth. The entire process of pregnancy involves the gradual development of the unborn child and preparation for its birth.
Therefore, starting from the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, some patients begin to feel the appearance of periodic mild cramps. We are talking about training fights. Their fundamental difference from labor contractions is their low intensity, rare frequency and quick ending.
Some women may not feel training contractions at all, while others feel them quite clearly. They have one thing in common: they do not put the body on alert and do not increase strength, but, on the contrary, pass quickly.
To intense contractions early stages pregnancy should be treated with increased attention, since their appearance may indicate the onset of premature labor.
Labor contractions are harbingers of labor and most often indicate the beginning of the intensive phase of labor for a woman in labor. They increase their intensity, occur simultaneously with the dilation of the cervix and require a mandatory stay in the maternity hospital, where the expectant mother can provide the necessary medical care.
Contractions without drainage of the plug or amniotic fluid
There are as many individual cases of pregnancy and childbirth as there are women. Labor may begin after the mucus plug has passed, amniotic fluid has broken, or contractions have begun. But there are also often cases when the doctor pierces the amniotic sac already during labor.
In such cases, the doctor independently eliminates the mucus plug, which remained inside unchanged and did not leave the woman’s body in a timely manner.
The appearance of contractions is considered the main assistant in the course of childbirth. Such spasms enable the female body to expel the fetus naturally. Simultaneously with the dilation of the cervix and the pressure of the fetus, contractions ensure the movement of the unborn child along the birth canal and contribute to its speedy birth.
It should be noted that labor can last for many hours at a time. In this case, contractions can be of varying intensity and duration, until, in the end, they reach the required degree of strength sufficient for the birth of the baby.
Is discharge necessary when the plug comes out?
The discharge of a mucus plug during pregnancy looks like the appearance of a certain amount of discharge on your underwear. In fact, this is vaginal discharge, but its nature is absolutely natural and should not cause any concern.
But, at the same time as the mucus plug, other discharge may occur, such as blood or amniotic fluid. Not only the mucus plug, but also amniotic fluid can sometimes leak before labor begins. In this case, the fetus ceases to receive the necessary nutrition and oxygen saturation, so you need to immediately contact medical workers for help.
We should not forget that there is a danger of infection of the unborn baby, to avoid which urgent measures must be taken. Of course, the most alarming thing for a pregnant woman should be the appearance of bright scarlet discharge. This situation may indicate the presence of pathology, the onset of premature labor and other processes requiring urgent medical intervention.
The mucus plug covering the cervix is quite small in volume, so most often expectant mothers do not notice its release. If the amount of vaginal discharge is significant, then, most likely, we are not talking about a plug at all, but about amniotic fluid or discharge of a different nature.
Can there be pain when the plug comes out?
The passage of the mucus plug during pregnancy is usually painless. In any case, the expectant mother should not experience severe pain. But, nevertheless, cases in medical practice are different.
- For example, if the mucus plug comes off while the expectant mother is taking a shower, then the relaxed muscles will not allow her to feel any inconvenience or changes that have occurred. Moreover, if the mucus is colorless or white or yellow.
- Also, do not forget about the different sensitivity of the individual female body and the different pain threshold of patients.
- A variant of the norm is considered to be both completely painless passage of the mucus plug and the feeling of mild pain similar to menstrual pain, muscle tension and nagging pain in the lower abdomen of a pregnant woman.
- If there is still a lot of time before birth, these symptoms quickly pass and do not tend to recur.
It is important for every woman in labor to be in a calm state of mind, listen to herself and analyze any sensations that arise during pregnancy. If you are not sure that your body does not require help, or something confuses you, seek medical help, where your doubts will be dispelled or hospitalization will be suggested.
Video: What is a mucus plug and how can you tell if it has come off?
Now your pregnancy is coming to an end... Very soon you will become the happiest mother in the world! A little more, and the most important meeting will take place - the meeting of mother and child. What could be greater than this happiness? It is quite natural that you are waiting for this event with joy and fear, but how will it all go? But in any case, no matter how great the fear of childbirth, the woman is looking forward to this day.
If when to give birth? Many women who discover that they are coming out of their vagina think that labor may begin soon. And they are right. But when the contractions start and Let's try to figure it out!
The plug is a clump of mucus with a consistency similar to raw egg white. It is formed in pregnant women in the cervix. It appears under the influence of a hormone, finally forming by the end of the first month of pregnancy. When it is implanted into the uterus, then a mucus plug appears. Sometimes it may contain inclusions of blood or blood streaks. This is an absolutely normal phenomenon, and there is no need to be alarmed. And now, the cork comes out. When to give birth?
Before answering this question, let's figure out why it is needed at all. The mucus plug performs a protective function in a woman’s body and prevents infection from entering the uterine cavity. Under the influence of the hormone estrogen at the end of pregnancy, it softens and begins to gradually recede. Women who have already given birth know that this is how it often begins. But what if young expectant mothers, seeing that the mucus plug has come away when giving birth, still don’t understand?
No one can say for sure when the plug will come out. It's completely individual. For some women, it comes out completely at one time and after that she goes into labor. For others, it may come off in parts, over a week or two. As you can see, it depends on the female body. But it has been noticed that if the plug comes out completely, and there are blood streaks in it or it is pink, then labor will begin very soon. If the exit occurs gradually, then childbirth will occur in a few days or even a week. But, however, there are exceptions to these observations, so there is no clear answer to the question: “When does the plug come out, when to give birth?” - does not exist.
Doctors' opinion on this matter: the plug comes out no earlier than two weeks before birth. But no one can say whether you will give birth tomorrow or in a week. Another feature: the discharge of mucus can be provoked, so it must be done carefully.
No one can give an exact answer, if the plug has come out, how long before giving birth. But you already know the main point.
Remember that the release of mucus is one of the three main ones, of course, not as main as the breaking of water and the onset of contractions, but it can also indicate an imminent delivery. In any case, you should tell your doctor that the plug is coming out. When to give birth - approximately (!) - will be determined by the doctor during the examination.
We wish you a successful and easy birth and see your beloved baby soon! Let him grow up healthy and happy!
Pregnancy is a magical time when a woman is in constant anticipation. And now, in the last month of pregnancy, this anticipation becomes special, because the meeting with the child is about to happen. Many signs indicate an imminent birth, including the removal of the plug.
The fears of pregnant women are, for the most part, due to a lack of information about the processes occurring in the body while expecting a child. This is especially true for visible manifestations, which the expectant mother cannot always correctly assess from the standpoint of compliance with the norm or a possible danger to her own health and the health of the baby.
You need to closely monitor any symptoms that cause the slightest concern. Thus, pregnant women are recommended to pay special attention to the following signs:
- plug release
- contractions
- leakage or rupture of amniotic fluid
- bleeding
- discharge
At different stages of pregnancy, the options for a woman’s standard of well-being have significant differences. For example, if the plug comes out or contractions begin in the later stages, there is nothing to worry about, but if they are felt in the first or second trimesters, it is better to inform the supervising doctor about this. The same applies to other signals from the body of the expectant mother.
Thus, for any condition or symptom there are approximate periods indicating the correct development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy; all other cases, on the contrary, may indicate the presence of pathologies and require additional monitoring by medical personnel.
Childbirth after the plug comes out: how long to wait?
There is an opinion among medical workers that the mucous plug in patients should come off approximately 2 weeks before the onset of labor during normal labor. The doctor warns that when the plug comes out, it is necessary not to leave this fact unattended, and also to report it during the next medical examination.
Despite this, the passage of the mucus plug does not indicate that childbirth will occur very soon. It is important to know that it may take up to a month for the plug to come out before labor begins.
On the other hand, if the passage of the plug occurred in conjunction with other precursors of labor, this state of affairs most often indicates the dilatation of the cervix and the beginning of the woman’s labor. Accordingly, you must immediately contact your supervising doctor or go to the maternity hospital.
- From the moment the mucus plug comes out, it is necessary to pay great attention to the hygiene of the genital organs of the expectant mother, since such measures make it possible to protect both the patient and the fetus from infections.
- For the same purpose, from this time until the moment of birth, it is not recommended to visit the pool, swim in a river or other body of water, or engage in sexual relations.
- A pregnant woman should complete her final preparations before labor begins and be ready to go to the hospital at any time.
Plug coming out before childbirth: reasons for its appearance
Without a doubt, nature works wisely, and the course of pregnancy and childbirth can be considered a clear confirmation of this fact. Thus, the biological clock in a woman’s body is designed in such a way that all processes of bearing a child occur exactly on time and exactly as a particular pregnant woman needs it.
There is an opinion that, just as mucus is formed in the nasal passages to protect against the penetration of infections, viruses and pathogenic bacteria, so the mucus plug that forms in the uterus during pregnancy is designed to protect the developing fetus from the penetration and negative influence of infections from the outside.
A pregnancy mucus plug is a jelly-like mass that usually forms around the end of the first month of pregnancy.
- The appearance of a plug is caused by hormonal changes in the body of a woman who is expecting a child.
- The production of hormones gives impetus to the formation of a mucus plug.
- Such processes contribute to the formation of mucus in the uterus.
- Gradually, the amount of mucus reaches a certain volume, after which it takes the form of a plug that clogs the uterine cavity.
It is known that the main purpose of the mucus plug during pregnancy is to protect the unborn baby from the influence of external unfavorable factors. Thanks to the mucus plug, the fetal environment is reliably protected from possible exposure to infections.
During a normal pregnancy, a woman is usually allowed to have sex, which is made possible by the presence of a mucus plug. It also becomes possible for the expectant mother to bathe in a bathtub at moderate water temperatures, as well as in a river, sea or other bodies of water.
At the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, the patient’s body prepares for childbirth, during which hormonal levels change. The production of hormones is responsible for softening the mucus plug, which moves from the cervix and vagina, leaving the body of a pregnant woman.
In addition to the natural process of removal of the plug, this can be facilitated by external intervention. Therefore, the doctor should examine the patient as carefully and delicately as possible. In any case, the release of the mucous plug is a signal that the moment of childbirth is approaching, which should not be left without due attention.
What does a plug look like when it comes out?
Medical practice describes different cases of mucus plug discharge during pregnancy. Taking into account the specific parameters of the pregnancy of each expectant mother, the mucus plug may look different. It is important to know certain nuances of mucus plug discharge during pregnancy.
- The plug may come off all at once or come out gradually over a certain period of time: from one to several days.
- In the case when the plug comes off in parts, a pregnant woman may not even notice this process. This is due to the fact that the amount of mucus secreted is very small.
- The volume of the cork is usually approximately two tablespoons.
Quite often, a mucus plug can be difficult to distinguish by eye from other vaginal discharge, so the patient needs to see a doctor at the earliest convenience. Only a doctor can conduct an examination and find out what the nature of the discharge is and find out what processes in the body of a pregnant woman contributed to this or that discharge.
The density and color of the mucus plug is different for each woman. Normally, a plug during pregnancy may look like:
- colorless
- whitish
- yellowish
- pinkish
- streaked with blood
It is worth noting that the appearance of blood streaks in the mucous plug of the expectant mother is also considered a normal variant. This is due to the process of dilation of the cervix, during which the smallest capillaries can burst, the blood from which mixes with mucus, resulting in the formation of a jelly-like clot mixed with blood.
At the same time, do not forget that copious scarlet blood discharge should alert a pregnant woman. In this case, it is recommended to urgently seek medical help.
There is an opinion that in primiparous and multiparous women, the process of discharge of the mucus plug occurs with some differences. It is believed that the period of pregnancy and childbirth in multiparous patients is easier. The mucus plug in women who have given birth most often comes off all at once and does not contain any blood.
- In multiparous expectant mothers, the epithelial cells of the inner surface of the cervix are looser, and the cervix itself is elastic, capable of stretching to the required size for the baby to pass through the birth canal.
- In primiparous women, on the contrary, the surface of the cervix is denser and not stretched, so the cervical canal is clogged with a mucus plug more firmly. For this reason, the plug in such women in labor may come off in parts for several days, and also have a bloody structure.
The body of previously nulliparous expectant mothers undergoes thorough preparation for childbirth, preparing epithelial cells to stretch, so the passage of the mucus plug in such cases may be accompanied by the presence of blood clots. Regardless of how many births a woman has had, the process of removal of the mucus plug during pregnancy most often occurs completely painlessly.
Cork removal: photo
Most people, especially girls who have not yet experienced pregnancy, have a very vague idea of the processes occurring in a woman’s body during this period. Moreover, listening to various stories of their friends and acquaintances, they most often experience a feeling of fear long before pregnancy and childbirth.
Most women are interested in the nuances of pregnancy already while expecting a child. In this case, expectant mothers read a lot of literature and obtain information from other sources, for example, on hospital stands, according to their stage of pregnancy.
Expectant mothers are especially interested in signs of impending labor, such as the release of the mucous plug, the release of amniotic fluid, and the onset of contractions.
Since no doctor can predict the exact date of birth, each woman, based on certain signals from her body, tries to do this on her own, at least approximately. A lot of information about pregnancy, childbirth and, especially, about the precursors of the onset of labor can be gleaned from websites on the Internet.
In addition to the text description, you can see photographs of the mucus plug both online and in printed literature. It is worth considering that it is better to study such information before the start of pregnancy. This will create a foundation of necessary knowledge that will ensure peace of mind for the expectant mother during pregnancy and will allow her to avoid being overloaded with a large amount of information while expecting a baby.
Thus, a photo of the appearance of a mucus plug during pregnancy can be viewed for the purpose of a general understanding of the processes occurring during pregnancy, but you should not be too impressed and try on other people’s situations and symptoms. It is better to seek advice and ask questions of interest to your supervising doctor, and also keep records of important events and signals from your own body with a detailed description and time of their occurrence.
Harbingers of childbirth: the passage of the plug during pregnancy
Naturally, any woman, being pregnant, wishes and expects a speedy successful birth. This desire especially intensifies at the end of the third trimester, when the patient’s body weight increases significantly, the quality of sleep deteriorates, heaviness and other inconveniences appear. The situation is complicated by the fact that no one can accurately determine the date of natural birth.
A competent doctor will definitely explain to a pregnant woman that only a preliminary date of birth can be predicted. Doctors are helped in this by the results of measures, including:
- tests
- examinations
- ultrasonography
- presence or absence of precursors of labor
- measuring the size of the abdomen, body weight, height of the uterine fundus, etc.
The doctor draws conclusions about the possibility of an early birth, taking into account all possible factors. In this case, the doctor informs the patient about the rules of behavior in various situations, possible signs, and asks about their presence or absence over the next period of time.
Among specialists in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, the following are considered to be harbingers of an early birth:
- release of mucus plug
- starting contractions
- rupture of amniotic fluid
It should be noted that all these signs together indicate the onset of labor within 24 hours from the moment of their appearance. But, do not forget that every woman’s body has its own individual characteristics.
So, one patient may feel the onset of one harbinger of labor, while another may feel all three at the same time. The mucus plug may come off during a visit to the toilet or other situations when the expectant mother does not detect or feel any changes due to objective circumstances. It is also not uncommon to encounter cases when the mucous plug does not come off until childbirth and is removed already during the birth of the child.
The removal of a plug before childbirth: is it necessary to appear?
Whether or not a pregnant woman noticed the moment the mucus plug came out is not so significant. The main thing is not to show concern and inform the doctor of all the circumstances recorded during the process of expecting the unborn child.
The fact is that the mucus plug may not come away at all during pregnancy, so you should not expect this event. In other cases, the plug comes off unnoticed, which is also worth remembering. The third option for the development of the situation can be called the discharge of the mucus plug noticed by the patient.
It is worth describing the appearance and color of the mucus plug to the observing doctor, consult with him and jointly draw conclusions about the imminent onset of labor in accordance with other signs accompanying the passage of the plug.
Based on the color and structure of the discharge, the medical professional will make assumptions about whether the mucus plug has actually come off or whether the discharge is of a different nature. Let us recall that normally the plug looks like a small amount of mucus of a whitish, yellowish, pinkish color or is completely colorless, possibly with some streaks of blood.
If the plug has come away and no other signs of labor are observed, then the time for childbirth has not come yet. But, in any case, a pregnant woman should not be away from home alone for a long time, travel or other movements that complicate the trip to the maternity hospital if such a need arises.
Contractions after the plug comes out
The passage of a mucus plug during pregnancy is one of the harbingers of labor. Another thing is that the plug can come out on its own, or it can be accompanied by other signs indicating that the onset of labor in a pregnant woman is approaching.
It should be noted that the release of the plug from the body of the expectant mother is completely natural. This situation does not require medical attention. But, in order to be calm about the condition of the woman in labor and the unborn child, you need to know for sure that it is the mucous plug that has come away, and that amniotic fluid is not leaking and the integrity of the amniotic sac, which provides nutrition and development of the baby, has not been compromised.
In fact, the nature of vaginal discharge can only be determined by examining it under a microscope, so this can only be done by a highly qualified doctor in a specially equipped laboratory. When the mucus plug comes out, it is important to consider the duration of pregnancy.
So, if the preliminary date of birth has already approached and the patient is due to give birth soon, it is necessary to pay attention to the possible occurrence of cramping pain and stiffness of the abdomen.
Sometimes you may experience a feeling of mild nagging pain, similar to menstrual pain. After them, a pregnant woman may feel contractions. In this case, most likely we are talking about the beginning of labor. You need to calm down and count the repetitions of contractions: if the interval between them does not exceed ten minutes, then you need to urgently go to the maternity hospital.
Can contractions begin without the plug coming out?
Contractions can begin at any stage of pregnancy, but, of course, normally their appearance occurs at the end of the third trimester, when they mark the beginning of labor for a pregnant woman.
The mucus plug may go away in due time, or it may not go away at all. At the same time, patients note that, most often, the pain that appears during the passage of the mucus plug is somewhat reminiscent of menstrual pain. However, it is worth remembering that in this case it is recommended to avoid taking any painkillers, as this can cause serious harm to the health of the fetus.
Only a child knows when it is time for him to be born. Therefore, uncontrolled use of any drugs during pregnancy is prohibited.
When can contractions begin without the plug coming out?
Contractions, in fact, can begin at any stage of pregnancy. Thus, their appearance is not necessarily associated with the passage of a mucus plug. In the medical environment, contractions are usually divided into training and normal.
In the first case, we are talking about preparatory processes in the body of a pregnant woman. The fact is that starting from the first day of pregnancy, the female body does everything possible to ensure the normal course of pregnancy and childbirth. The entire process of pregnancy involves the gradual development of the unborn child and preparation for its birth.
Therefore, starting from the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, some patients begin to feel the appearance of periodic mild cramps. We are talking about training fights. Their fundamental difference from labor contractions is their low intensity, rare frequency and quick ending.
Some women may not feel training contractions at all, while others feel them quite clearly. They have one thing in common: they do not put the body on alert and do not increase strength, but, on the contrary, pass quickly.
Intense contractions in the early stages of pregnancy should be treated with increased attention, as their appearance may indicate the onset of premature labor.
Labor contractions are harbingers of labor and most often indicate the beginning of the intensive phase of labor for a woman in labor. They increase their intensity, occur simultaneously with the dilation of the cervix and require a mandatory stay in the maternity hospital, where the expectant mother can provide the necessary medical care.
Contractions without drainage of the plug or amniotic fluid
There are as many individual cases of pregnancy and childbirth as there are women. Labor may begin after the mucus plug has passed, amniotic fluid has broken, or contractions have begun. But there are also often cases when the doctor pierces the amniotic sac already during labor.
In such cases, the doctor independently eliminates the mucus plug, which remained inside unchanged and did not leave the woman’s body in a timely manner.
The appearance of contractions is considered the main assistant in the course of childbirth. Such spasms enable the female body to expel the fetus naturally. Simultaneously with the dilation of the cervix and the pressure of the fetus, contractions ensure the movement of the unborn child along the birth canal and contribute to its speedy birth.
It should be noted that labor can last for many hours at a time. In this case, contractions can be of varying intensity and duration, until, in the end, they reach the required degree of strength sufficient for the birth of the baby.
Is discharge necessary when the plug comes out?
The discharge of a mucus plug during pregnancy looks like the appearance of a certain amount of discharge on your underwear. In fact, this is vaginal discharge, but its nature is absolutely natural and should not cause any concern.
But, at the same time as the mucus plug, other discharge may occur, such as blood or amniotic fluid. Not only the mucus plug, but also amniotic fluid can sometimes leak before labor begins. In this case, the fetus ceases to receive the necessary nutrition and oxygen saturation, so you must immediately contact medical professionals for help.
We should not forget that there is a danger of infection of the unborn baby, to avoid which urgent measures must be taken. Of course, the most alarming thing for a pregnant woman should be the appearance of bright scarlet discharge. This situation may indicate the presence of pathology, the onset of premature labor and other processes requiring urgent medical intervention.
The mucus plug covering the cervix is quite small in volume, so most often expectant mothers do not notice its release. If the amount of vaginal discharge is significant, then, most likely, we are not talking about a plug at all, but about amniotic fluid or discharge of a different nature.
Can there be pain when the plug comes out?
The passage of the mucus plug during pregnancy is usually painless. In any case, the expectant mother should not experience severe pain. But, nevertheless, cases in medical practice are different.
- For example, if the mucus plug comes off while the expectant mother is taking a shower, then the relaxed muscles will not allow her to feel any inconvenience or changes that have occurred. Moreover, if the mucus is colorless or white or yellow.
- Also, do not forget about the different sensitivity of the individual female body and the different pain threshold of patients.
- A variant of the norm is considered to be both completely painless passage of the mucus plug and the feeling of mild pain similar to menstrual pain, muscle tension and nagging pain in the lower abdomen of a pregnant woman.
- If there is still a lot of time before birth, these symptoms quickly pass and do not tend to recur.
It is important for every woman in labor to be in a calm state of mind, listen to herself and analyze any sensations that arise during pregnancy. If you are not sure that your body does not require help, or something confuses you, seek medical help, where your doubts will be dispelled or hospitalization will be suggested.
Video: What is a mucus plug and how can you tell if it has come off?
Now your pregnancy is coming to an end... Very soon you will become the happiest mother in the world! A little more, and the most important meeting will take place - the meeting of mother and child. What could be greater than this happiness? It is quite natural that you are waiting for this event with joy and fear, but how will it all go? But in any case, no matter how great the fear of childbirth, the woman is looking forward to this day.
If when to give birth? Many women who discover that they are coming out of their vagina think that labor may begin soon. And they are right. But when the contractions start and Let's try to figure it out!
The plug is a clump of mucus with a consistency similar to raw egg white. It is formed in pregnant women in the cervix. It appears under the influence of a hormone, finally forming by the end of the first month of pregnancy. When it is implanted into the uterus, then a mucus plug appears. Sometimes it may contain inclusions of blood or blood streaks. This is an absolutely normal phenomenon, and there is no need to be alarmed. And now, the cork comes out. When to give birth?
Before answering this question, let's figure out why it is needed at all. The mucus plug performs a protective function in a woman’s body and prevents infection from entering the uterine cavity. Under the influence of the hormone estrogen at the end of pregnancy, it softens and begins to gradually recede. Women who have already given birth know that this is how it often begins. But what if young expectant mothers, seeing that the mucus plug has come away when giving birth, still don’t understand?
No one can say for sure when the plug will come out. It's completely individual. For some women, it comes out completely at one time and after that she goes into labor. For others, it may come off in parts, over a week or two. As you can see, it depends on the female body. But it has been noticed that if the plug comes out completely, and there are blood streaks in it or it is pink, then labor will begin very soon. If the exit occurs gradually, then childbirth will occur in a few days or even a week. But, however, there are exceptions to these observations, so there is no clear answer to the question: “When does the plug come out, when to give birth?” - does not exist.
Doctors' opinion on this matter: the plug comes out no earlier than two weeks before birth. But no one can say whether you will give birth tomorrow or in a week. Another feature: the discharge of mucus can be provoked, so it must be done carefully.
No one can give an exact answer, if the plug has come out, how long before giving birth. But you already know the main point.
Remember that the release of mucus is one of the three main ones, of course, not as main as the breaking of water and the onset of contractions, but it can also indicate an imminent delivery. In any case, you should tell your doctor that the plug is coming out. When to give birth - approximately (!) - will be determined by the doctor during the examination.
We wish you a successful and easy birth and see your beloved baby soon! Let him grow up healthy and happy!
When pregnancy occurs, the cervical mucus, which is produced by the cells of the cervix during ovulation, begins to thicken. Gradually, a thick clot is formed from it, which forms a dense plug that protects the uterus immediately until childbirth. That's why it got the name mucus plug. Its main function is protective: it protects the uterus from infection from the external environment. Let us note that by examining the entire period of pregnancy, one can note how many protective properties of the body nature has provided to protect the unborn baby.
When does the plug come out before childbirth?
Naturally, the exit must open before birth, because the child will have to be born through this opening. Of course, the removal of the mucous plug, as a rule, occurs in the last weeks after childbirth, however, this phenomenon is purely individual. Sometimes this happens immediately during childbirth, and sometimes a few hours before it. However, this phenomenon always indicates that the culmination and logical conclusion of pregnancy is already close.
What does a loose plug look like?
Primiparas show the greatest interest in signs of mucus plug loss. In fact, there is nothing scary or surprising about this. As a rule, in appearance it resembles a mucous lump of a whitish or yellowish tint, which may contain streaks of blood, which is associated with the dilation of the cervix, as a result of which the capillaries burst. However, the color of the cork can vary from transparent to pinkish, which is purely individual for each woman in labor.
As a rule, the mucus plug comes out while taking a shower or visiting the restroom. In this case, you may not even notice that she has moved away. Now, if this situation happened to you while you were wearing clothes, you will certainly see its consequences on your underwear. Sometimes the plug’s release occurs after an examination by a gynecologist or immediately during the release of amniotic fluid.
Sometimes the mucus plug comes off in parts, which outwardly resembles the discharge in the last days of menstruation, but is more mucous in consistency. If the cork comes off immediately, then it looks like a piece of some kind of jelly or (according to the women’s description) a jellyfish. If after this you feel some discomfort in the lower abdomen (whining or pressure), this is considered normal. However, such sensations may not arise.
What to do if the plug comes out
Remember that if you notice that your mucus plug has come off, you should not leave the house for a long time. Childbirth is already very close, and you have time to prepare for it: check that everything is ready for the trip to the maternity hospital, warn your family that the birth of the baby is coming soon. But don't panic and think that any additional procedures should be performed. You just need to calm down and wait.
Sometimes situations arise when the plug comes out immediately before childbirth, which is also natural.
When to see a doctor
However, you should consult a doctor if the discharge resembles uterine bleeding or if bloody discharge is noticed as a result of the plug coming out. You should be concerned if the plug comes off earlier than two weeks before the expected birth, and its removal is accompanied by bleeding.
Natural removal of the plug should not be accompanied by blood discharge: a small amount of blood is acceptable. Therefore, watch your body and do not panic in vain.
Author of the publication: Alisa Egorova