After losing your mucus plug, stay calm and monitor for other labor signs like regular contractions or your water breaking; call your provider if you're under 37 weeks or see bright red bleeding, but otherwise, it's often normal and a good time to prepare for labor, as it doesn't always mean it's happening immediately.
There typically isn't anything you need to avoid if you lose your mucus plug, but this varies depending on your situation and how far along in pregnancy you are. For example, if you lose your mucus plug at 37 weeks and your water hasn't broken, there isn't anything you need to avoid.
Medically reviewed by Kiarra King, M.D. 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.
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.
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.
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Before your water breaks, you might feel pressure in your lower belly, notice a gentle trickle of fluid, or experience light contractions.
Refrain from swimming or using hot tubs after the mucus plug is lost, since pools and baths can harbor bacteria. Stick to showers and maintain good perineal hygiene (use pads for any discharge, wipe front to back) to reduce infection risk[6].
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.
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.
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.
While losing the mucus plug is a sign that your body is getting ready to give birth, it's not possible to say exactly when it will happen. For some, it may still be a couple of weeks until labor starts, while for others it can be a matter of days or even hours.
Call your hospital or midwife, if you are worried. Your labour may start hours or even days after you lose the mucus plug, or you could be in early labour. If you are full term when the mucus plug comes out you may have other signs that labour has started.
Loss of the mucus plug from week 37 of pregnancy on is considered a normal sign that labor is near. However, keep in mind that it may still be several weeks before labor begins. If you lose the mucus plug without any other concerning symptoms, you can let your doctor know at your next prenatal appointment.
Losing your mucus plug is a sign labor is approaching, but it's not a precise timer; labor could start within hours, days, or even weeks, depending on the individual, your pregnancy history (first baby vs. subsequent), and if other signs like contractions or water breaking appear. It means your cervix is changing, but your body continues to produce mucus, so the baby remains protected.
The "3-2-1 Rule" in pregnancy is a guideline for first-time mothers to know when to call their midwife or doctor for active labor: consistent contractions every 3 minutes, lasting 2 minutes each (or 1 minute long for some variations), for over 1 hour. It helps differentiate true labor from false labor (Braxton Hicks), signaling it's time to head to the birthing center, while subsequent pregnancies often follow the faster 5-1-1 rule.
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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.).
Early signs of labor can include mild contractions, lower back pain, increased pelvic pressure, loss of the mucus plug, and changes in vaginal discharge. Some individuals also experience a nesting instinct or digestive changes such as diarrhea.
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.
"Water breaking" refers to the amniotic fluid breaking free from the sac that holds your baby. It's most likely to occur between weeks 39 and 40 of your pregnancy, but can happen before or after. If you're unsure if your water has broken, try putting in a pantyliner and sitting down for 30 minutes.
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Water breaks when the amniotic sac weakens and stretches due to natural changes in the body and the baby's growth, which eventually causes the sac to rupture.
The first and most important stage of labour, cervix dilation, is thought to be aided by the downward pressure of the baby's head on the cervix. The head-down, chin-tucked-in, back-facing position that your baby should be in for birth can be encouraged by your upright posture and the rocking motion of walking.