Once your mucus plug has been expelled, it is still acceptable to have intercourse or take a bath, as the amniotic sac will prevent infection until it breaks.
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.
If you suspect you have lost your mucus plug and are less than 37 weeks pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider. They could be concerned and want to examine your cervix.
The cervix generally needs to be dilated to 10 centimeters before it's ready for the baby to pass through. Your cervix can be dilated to a couple of centimeters for a few weeks before delivery. This softening can cause the mucus plug to be dislodged and come out.
Getting up and moving around may help speed dilation by increasing blood flow. Walking around the room, doing simple movements in bed or chair, or even changing positions may encourage dilation.
While some women lose their mucus plug weeks before labor begins, others lose it right as labor starts. There's no need for concern if your mucus plug dislodges even weeks before your due date — it could still be a few weeks before labor actually starts. And your baby is still safe even after you're unplugged.
Losing your mucus plug is typically a sign that your cervix is starting to dilate (open). As the cervix dilates, the mucus pushes out into the vagina, which can be a sign you're approaching labor—or it can be an early sign of labor itself. Read more about the other common signs of labor, including your water breaking.
What does the mucus plug look like? You'll see it as a jelly-like substance, which might be clear or slightly pink or streaked with a small amount of blood. When you are losing the mucus plug, You'll notice it on your underwear or on toilet paper after going to the loo.
"The loss of the mucus plug, especially when there's a little bit of blood, is usually a good indicator that labor is coming within one to three days," explains Mallon.
The mucus plug blocks the opening of the cervix during pregnancy to protect the baby from bacteria. As your body prepares for labor, the cervix dilates (expands). This causes the mucus plug to dislodge. When blood from your cervix is mixed in with the mucus plug, it is called a bloody show.
When ovulating, discharge usually looks clear, stringy and jelly like, similar to egg white. You might notice it in your underwear, or on toilet paper when you wipe. It helps sperm to travel up through your cervix, and fertilise the released egg.
In the days before labour starts, you might notice some subtle signs. It can be hard to tell them apart from your normal pregnancy discomforts. You might notice a change in the discharge from your vagina or a few cramps in your abdomen. You may have a low, dull ache in your back that can come and go.
Many of these symptoms are due to increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which boost blood flow throughout your body to support your baby — including to your labia. As a result, your labia and vagina may experience the following changes: Swelling.
How Do You Feel 24 Hours Before Labor? Some of the most common things women experience when labor is 24 hours away are cramps and contractions. You might feel that your stomach is becoming tight and may experience discomfort in your lower back. Along with that, you might also experience cramps in your pelvic area.
Clear and stretchy — This is “fertile” mucous and means you're ovulating. Clear and watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising. Yellow or green — May indicate an infection, especially if it's thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.
Texture: It has a gelatinous look and is thick while in the cervix, but typically becomes thin and more liquid once expelled. Size: The mucus plug is about 4-5 centimeters long, or about 1 ounce in volume. If your body doesn't expel the plug all at once, it may seem like much less.
A mucus plug is usually clear, but it can be white, yellow, green, brown, slightly pink, or blood-tinged in color. Most of the time it is off-white with some streaks of pink blood. The plug is jelly-like but becomes more liquid as it is expelled.
Can mucus plug come out slowly? Some women don't even notice their mucus plug because it comes out slowly over a few days, or even weeks. You might see it as one obvious blob of mucus plug, when wiping with toilet paper, or you might notice an increased vaginal discharge over a few days.
Many people notice blood-tinged mucus discharge after losing their mucus plug. However, because it can come out in small pieces over time, some people may not notice any changes or experience any symptoms after losing their mucus plug.