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Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

What exactly is the mucus plug, and what does it mean if I see it?

Re: What exactly is the mucus plug, and what does it mean if I see it?

The Bump Expert

The mucus plug is just what it sounds like -- a thick plug of mucus that builds up at your cervix over the course of pregnancy and covers the opening of your uterus. It's there to prevent bacteria from entering your uterus. When your cervix starts to efface or dilate in preparation for labor, the "plug" is pushed out into your vagina, meaning you may see it plop on out into the toilet. Heard of the "show" or "bloody show" that comes as you move towards labor? This is part of it, along with some lovely mucusy discharge and maybe a little blood. Don't worry if you don't see your mucus plug, though -- not everyone notices it.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Your pregnancy and birth. 4th ed. Washington, DC: ACOG; 2005.

Paula Kashtan

re: Q: Mucus plug?

you may not always have blood associated with losing your plug!

6307bride |

re: Q: Mucus plug?

Many women often don't see the plug pass, especially if they are experiencing a lot of white discharge late in the pregnancy, which is common.

Melanie0 |

re: Q: Mucus plug?

When I lost my mucus plug at 39 weeks, "bloody show" couldn't have described it any better! Where it may be not so obvious for some, it is VERY obvious for others.

dkids99 |

re: Q: Mucus plug?

So not everyone loses theirs before giving birth or just some people don't notice it?

stormi glam |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

I am 99% sure I just lost mine tonight (due tomorrow!) and there wwas no blood. It was a clear, gummy lump that came out in two pieces.

stefalupagus@hotmail.com |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

I am not sure if mine has come out yet, I've just noticed an increase of discharge/white mucus like material ALOT coming out this week and a sudden burst of energy and the need to just clean EVERYTHING!

ryleightripp |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

I am 36 weeks and I'm not sure if I lost mine. I had a really thick clear clot that came out on my underwear and toilet paper. And a really thick one that fell out in the toilet. But they weren't bloody and I never noticed it with my 3 other children. Has that happened to anyone else? And was that the mucus plug?

brandy1986 |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

I'm 40 weeks and 4 days and I haven't noticed any plug come out. Is it totally obvious when you lose it or can it just look like regular discharge?I've heard you can totally tell it from discharge because it's bloody or it's like a big loogy. But someone also said you may not even notice it or know you lost it or lose it at all til actual labor. Should I be this worried about this wonderous plug?

babygirltba |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

I'm 36 weeks and just lost my mucus plug. I went to the doctors earlier today and he said i was starting to efface but I havn't started dilating. So I'm not really sure what this means ! I'm still anticipating 1 or 2 more weeks of pregnancy but we'll see ! I always felt like he'd come early but not this early ! If you're unsure of what it looks like google it and it will come up with images. My mucus plug looked exactly like the picture shown... But call your doctor whether you're sure or not.

nhanrion09 |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

Well pretty sure I just lot mine. At my last appt I was 39w3d 1cm dilated 50% effaced posterior. Today - 3 days later - I was wiping after a pee and saw about a tablespoon of clear gelatinous stuff on the tp. There was no blood or coloration what so ever it was just one big clump of what looked like sticky stirred jello. MUCH thicker than discharge. My OBGYN says that the mucus plug can and continues to regenerate so it's not a clear indicator that anything will happen anytime soon but my mom lost hers on a Saturday morning and had me Sunday afternoon so I am going to keep hoping this is a sign!

MandusMaximus |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

I am 37 weeks along & about 3 this morning while at the hospital overnight for observation I believe I lost my plug. I noticed it when I went to the restroom. I could fell it and when I wiped, there it was! I have had discharge thoughout pregnancy but not a whole lot and this looked like a big clob of snot like stuff. No blood though. I asked the nurse about it afterward and she said that is does not have to have blood in it. I described how I could feel in move down and out of my canal. So we are pretty sure that was it. Hopefully, I start to dilate now. Wonder how long it will be till labor gets here! :)

jeska511 |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

Mine has been coming out when I wipe after using the bathroom on the toilet paper for a fee weeks now. It was like that with my other three kids as well. I always thought that I had a crazy amount of mucous but have found out lately that it regenerates (or something to that affect). Losing my mucous plug has never really been an indication of labor about to start.

simsbaby2011 |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

So I think I lost some of mine. It was about 1/2 tsp and was dominantly not discharge. It wasn't bloody or anything but I was wondering if it was ok to be very slightly yellow?

flamingoh |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

i think i lost mine is it normal for it to come out over a period of a week? it hasnt been bloody just thick and a light green color is this the mucus plug?

sanders90 |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

I think I have lost my mucus plug but not sure. it has been slimy all week but today it was about three tablespoons of slightly yellow gew. Yuck!

emilyduke11 |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

does it come out all in one lump? or can it come out in pieces? I'm having several "chunks" on the toilet paper, but not enough to say its the whole thing....which hopefully isnt - I'm only 26 weeks!

babyhardwicke42 |

Q&A: What is the mucus plug?

It can come out in one lump, several lumps, pieces, strings, etc. I thought I lost my entire plug right at 40w a couple days ago because I got a huge boogery glob, but I've gotten two more of equal size since then so I'm thinking it was much bigger than it looked! The entirety of what I've lost so far is probably the size of a ping pong ball but I also get EWCM throughout the day in little strings. I do think it re-forms if you lose it before it's time (apparently sex can knock it loose).

lautro |

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