At 37 weeks pregnant, increased white, milky, or clear discharge (leukorrhea) is usually normal as your body prepares for labor, but a thick, jelly-like, or bloody discharge could be your mucus plug, a sign labor is near; monitor for signs of infection (odor, itching, green/yellow color) or preterm labor (sudden gush) and contact your doctor if concerned.
Experiencing an increase in milky white discharge is totally normal during pregnancy. Here's what to know—plus, some tips to help you feel dry and fresh. Vaginal discharge isn't a topic most of us want to discuss with our friends. But the fact is, every woman experiences some degree of discharge.
Once your cervix has started dilating, the sticky plug of mucus that seals it will start to disintegrate. Therefore, another of the signs that labor is near is the presence of a thick, blood-tinged discharge a few days before labor.
Early signs of labour are typically felt between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Early signs of labour include cramps, a 'show' or your waters breaking. A 'show' is bloodstained vaginal discharge. Braxton Hicks contractions are not true labour contractions.
As you get closer to delivery and your cervix begins to thin out and open up (effacement and dilation), these mucus-like secretions may come out of your vagina. This can be a sign of early labor.
Some go into labor within hours, while for others, it might take days or even a couple of weeks. If your mucus plug is accompanied by consistent contractions or water breaking, those are stronger indicators that labor may be starting soon. But on its own, it's just one of many signs your body is preparing for birth.
#2: Backache and Menstrual Like Cramps
As baby descends and applies pressure to the cervix, back pain can begin or worsen. Early dilation often feels like menstrual cramps as the cervical changes cause pain and cramping noticed in the lower part of the uterus. It is the same sensation and location as menstrual cramps.
At 37 weeks pregnant, as you approach your due date, it's a good idea not to ignore the symptoms of labor. If you experience regular contractions that get stronger over time or your water breaks, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately—your baby is on their way!
Texture: The mucus plug is thicker and stickier compared to other discharge, which tends to be thinner and more slippery. Timing: The mucus plug typically comes out during the last few weeks of pregnancy, in week 37 or later, while you'll have other discharge throughout your pregnancy.
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.”
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.
Week 37. Your baby could come any day now – and this would not be considered early. Your baby is now "full term", which means that they're probably big enough, and mature enough, to survive in the outside world. However, you still may have to wait another few weeks.
To know if you are leaking amniotic fluid, it is important to be aware of the presence of clear, odourless fluid in your underwear, causing them to become wet more than once a day.
Increasing vaginal discharge
During the late third trimester, this plug might move into the vagina. As a result, you may notice an increase in vaginal discharge that's clear, pink or slightly bloody. This may happen several days before labor begins or at the start of labor.
As with 1 cm dilated, being 2 cm dilated doesn't mean that labor is imminent. Some women who are 2 cm dilated may go into labor within hours. Others will remain 2 cm dilated for a few days or weeks until 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.
The signs of labor will vary for every pregnant person; some symptoms may be more subtle than others. Some early signs of early labor include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased bowel movements, lower back pain, cervical dilation and effacement and the loss of the mucus plug.
A mucus plug is thick, opaque, and paste- or jelly-like in texture. It could appear white or tinged with blood—but you likely won't see your mucus plug until the end of pregnancy.
Early Signs of Labour
How big is your baby at 37 weeks? Your baby is probably about 18 inches (45.7 cm) long and weighs 6 to 7 pounds (2.7 to 3.2 kg).
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can cause white, sticky, and thicker discharge. As long as this discharge is odorless, has a normal color, and does not cause itching, there is no need to worry.
Signs Your Cervix Is Dilating, and Baby Is Coming
1 centimeter fits one finger tightly. 2 centimeters fits one finger loosely. 3 centimeters fits 2 fingers tightly. 4 centimeters is 2 loose fingers.
Assess dilation: Feel for the cervical opening. If one fingertip fits through your cervix, you're considered 1 centimeter dilated. If you can fit two fingers, you are 2 centimeters dilated. Beyond that, you can measure how far apart your fingers will spread and take it from there.