No, losing your mucus plug alone usually doesn't mean you need to rush to labor and delivery; it's a sign labor is approaching, but it could be hours, days, or weeks away, so you should watch for other signs like regular contractions or your water breaking and call your provider if it happens before 37 weeks or if you have bright red bleeding. The baby is still protected by the amniotic sac and continues to produce cervical mucus.
How long after losing your mucus plug do you go into labor? The length of time between losing your mucus plug and going into labor can vary. In some cases, you may go into labor within hours or days, while other times, you may not go into labor for a few weeks.
Some women may lose their mucus plug weeks before true labor occurs. You don't have to call your OB/GYN if your mucus plug comes out, unless it is accompanied by additional symptoms that are concerning you.
Losing your mucus plug indicates that labor is approaching, but it could still be days or even weeks before it starts. Monitor for contractions that get longer, stronger, and closer together as signs that labor has begun. Contact your health care provider if you lose the mucus plug before your 37th week of pregnancy.
Losing the mucus plug doesn't guarantee immediate labor.
It means labor is on the horizon, but you could go into labor within hours, days, or even weeks afterward[5]. Watch for other signs of labor (like regular contractions or water breaking) to gauge timing.
Your mucus plug is what protects baby and the uterus against infection during pregnancy, so once you've lost it there are some things you'll want to avoid to reduce your risk of infection, Gerber notes. These include using tampons and submerging yourself in water (i.e. in pools, hot tubs, bath tubs, etc.).
Three key signs that labor is approaching soon are regular contractions, losing your "bloody show" (mucus plug), and your waters breaking, often accompanied by lower backache, baby dropping, or a sudden urge to clean (nesting). These signals show your body is preparing for birth, with contractions becoming stronger and closer together as labor progresses.
When the cervix begins to dilate (open) several days before labor begins or at the start of labor, this plug is pushed into the vagina. When this happens you may notice an increase in vaginal discharge that's clear, pink, or slightly bloody. Some women expel the entire mucus plug.
If you start losing your mucus plug before the 37th week of pregnancy, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible, as it is a common symptoms of preterm labor. If your water breaks and you lose the mucus plug at the same time, it's likely that labor is commencing.
You may see a thick, jelly-like discharge that is clear, pink, or a little bloody. This plug of mucus closes your cervix during pregnancy, and its discharge usually comes one to two days before actual labour. A strong desire to clean, cook, or organise your home is usual 24–48 hours prior to labour.
When people give birth on TV or in films, they tend to spend their labour lying on their backs on a bed. But this is not always the best position. In fact, it may slow labour down. Trying different positions and moving during labour can make things easier.
Remember, not all pregnant people will even know they've lost their mucus plug, and it doesn't always come out as a nice clean cork! Most often, it will look like bits of thick, stringy, jelly-like mucus (thicker and more opaque than typical discharge). But you may only notice a small amount at a time.
As the cervix dilates, the mucus plug releases into the vagina. Loss of the mucus plug is one of the first steps in labor. You may notice a thick vaginal discharge that appears clear, pink, or tinged with blood.
As your baby moves down, you might feel pressure in your pelvic area, experience backaches, and have to urinate more often. Loose bowel movements can happen 24–48 hours before labor.
Activity of baby - The baby may become slightly less active as labor approaches. You should still feel the baby move several times an hour - if you don't, call your health care provider immediately.
Losing your mucus plug is a normal late-pregnancy sign – it shows your cervix is getting ready, but labour might still be hours or days away.
Before your water breaks, you might feel pressure in your lower belly, notice a gentle trickle of fluid, or experience light contractions.
Different hospitals have different definitions of 'slow labour', but the main way to spot the signs of slow labour is to measure the rate at which your cervix dilates. If this is less than 0.5cm per hour over a four-hour period, Mother Nature might need a helping hand.
As long as the mucus plug discharges after 37 weeks of pregnancy or later and you and your doctor have no concerns, there is nothing specific you need to do after losing the mucus plug. Even if you lose your mucus plug several weeks before delivery, don't worry. Your baby is still protected.
Losing your mucus plug typically means your cervix is beginning to dilate, often around 1-3 cm, but it can vary.
1 centimeter fits one finger tightly. 2 centimeters fits one finger loosely. 3 centimeters fits 2 fingers tightly. 4 centimeters is 2 loose fingers.
Most women don't lose their mucus plug until after 37 weeks of pregnancy. In some cases, it happens days or weeks before your baby's due date. Some women don't lose mucus plug until they're in labor. If you lose yours sooner than 37 weeks of pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider as a precaution.
Some of those early labor signs are subtle (known as silent labor signs) and some are eye-poppingly obvious!
“Normal discharge often has consistency (mucus) vs. amniotic fluid, which is more like water,” Adams says. Typical discharge also may be white or milky with a mild odor or no smell at all, Bornstein says. “In contrast, leaking of amniotic fluid is watery, clear and continuous in most cases.”