

There are a few different events that may cause you to lose your mucus plug.įor example, even though it’s safe to have sex while pregnant, sexual intercourse can disrupt the mucus plug resulting in its release. What can cause you to lose your mucus plug? In some cases, it may have blood in it which may cause it to have a red, pink, or brown tinge.Ī typical mucus plug can be anywhere from 1-2 tablespoons in volume and 1-2 inches in length, and it can feel stringy, stretchy, or gooey to the touch. For example, it can be clear, white, off-white, or even yellowish in color. When the mucus plug is released from the body, it looks very similar to heavy discharge. What does mucus plug discharge look like? They can perform any necessary checks and offer reassurance on the health of your pregnancy.

If you haven’t reached 37 weeks of pregnancy yet but think that you have already lost your mucus plug, it’s a good idea to go ahead and speak with your doctor. If you are approaching labor and still haven’t lost your mucus plug, don’t worry! Some women do not lose their mucus plug until they are actually in labor. While some women lose their mucus plug all in one go, it’s also perfectly normal to lose it gradually in the final days or weeks of pregnancy. Losing your mucus plug When do you lose your mucus plug?Īccording to the American Pregnancy Association, the mucus plug is typically released sometime after week 37 of pregnancy. In terms of color, the mucus plug can range from clear, white, off-white, yellow, pink, red, or brown. It is a thick, “gloopy” collection of mucus that is no more than 2 tablespoons in volume. Inside the body, the mucus plug sits inside the cervical canal between the vagina and uterus. Mucus plugs and pregnancy What does a mucus plug look like? Because every pregnancy and body is different, the release of the mucus plug can occur anywhere from a few weeks to a few hours before labor. The mucus plug is eventually expelled through the vagina sometime before labor and often resembles heavy discharge. This helps to protect the pregnancy by preventing potentially harmful bacteria and viruses from entering the uterus. Its purpose is to act as a barrier between the vagina and the uterus. What is a mucus plug?Ī mucus plug is a collection of jelly-like mucus that forms inside the cervix during pregnancy. We’ll also cover other early signs of labor and situations where you should contact your doctor. If you’ve never heard about the mucus plug before or don’t quite know what to expect – you’re in the right place! This article will cover everything you need to know about what a mucus plug is, what it looks like, and when you can expect to lose it. However, as you approach the end of your pregnancy, it’s important to be aware of one key event that can look very similar to heavy discharge: losing your mucus plug. As a pregnant woman, you’re probably already used to life with more vaginal discharge than normal.
