During pregnancy, the mucous plug forms at the level of the cervix of the future mother. Appearance, color, quantity… What to do in case of loss of the mucous plug? Answers from midwife Chantal Birman.
THE mucous plug plays a key role during pregnancy. It is formed under the effect of pregnancy hormones and is located in the cervix as a barrier to protect baby in utero. In general, the pregnant woman expels the mucous plug during the third trimester of pregnancy. However, not all future mothers have one and above all loss of the mucous plug is not always the sign of impending childbirth. What does it look like ? Is it normal if there is blood? How long does it take to give birth after losing the mucous plug? Answers with Chantal Birman, liberal midwife.
What is the mucous plug?
The mucous plug is a collection of cervical mucus that obstructs the cervix. It closes the cervix and helps protect baby from bacteria and germs present in the vagina. It also makes it possible to secure the membranes of mechanical movements.
What does the mucous plug look like?
The appearance of the mucous plugx is in principle sticky and gelatinous, like mucus or raw egg white. It can also look like mucous white discharge.
It is at the beginning of pregnancy that the mucous plug develops, precisely from four weeks of pregnancy (6 weeks). Under the influence of pregnancy hormones, it will thicken and change in appearance throughout pregnancy.
What is the color of the mucous plug?
The color of the mucous plug is usually translucent or white. But sometimes it can be stained with pinkish or brown blood and in other cases turn to a yellowish or green color.
Why is there blood in the mucous plug?
“When a woman loses the mucous plugshe can observe some blood if the cervix has bled. There is nothing to worry about, it is normal. The mucous plug may even turn brown or blackish if it has fallen into the posterior cul-de-sac of the vagina. This color is simply due to the oxidation of the blood“, explains Chantal Birman.
“When losing the mucous plug, the pregnant woman may observe a little blood if the cervix has bled. This is normal.”
How much mucous plug do we lose?
The size of the mucous plug is different for each pregnancy, but it is known to measure about 2.5 cm thick when expelled. This represents an amount of approximately two tablespoons of mucus.
When do you lose the mucous plug?
A pregnant woman can lose the mucous plug any time during the third trimester of pregnancy. “It happens after a series of contractions felt or not by the future mother“says the midwife.
Mom-to-be can tell if she’s lost the mucous plug when she feels her underwear is wet and that she sees in her panties a piece of sticky, jelly-like mucus. She may notice it when going to the toilet, shower and even not notice it at all, because the loss of the mucous plug is painless. “Some women think they missed the expulsion of their mucous plug. It’s possible, but it’s also highly probable that they don’t. This is completely normal, one out of two women does not have a mucous plug when she is pregnant”, says Chantal Birman.
“One in two women do not have a mucous plug when pregnant.”
What to do when you lose the mucous plug?
If the expected delivery date is near
“The pregnant woman does not need to be alarmed when she loses the mucous plug“, reassures the specialist before adding: “If for a first pregnancy, the mother-to-be only has contractions, she can stay at home and wait until her water breaks. As soon as the bag of waters is broken or cracked, it is however necessary to go to the maternity ward as soon as possible”.
If the mucous plug falls well before the term of pregnancy,
In this case, it is better to consult. “The loss of the cork at four or five months of pregnancy can indeed be a sign of premature delivery. emphasizes the expert. It is also advisable to ask your gynecologist for a vaginal examination because it is no longer done systematically, she recommends.
By the end of the pregnancy, the expectant mother has usually expelled the mucous plug and has her cervix that is dilated, that is, it begins to open.
How long does it take to give birth after losing the mucous plug?
After losing the mucous plugthe time to give birth varies from one woman to another. Most women will give birth a few days after the expulsion of the mucous plugwhile others may give birth quickly within hours.
Thanks to Chantal Birman, liberal midwife.