However, there is no set time between when you lose your mucus plug, and when labor begins. As the cervix begins to dilate and efface during labor, the mucus plug is usually expelled, either as a single blob or in smaller pieces. If you lose your mucus plug closer to your estimated due date, generally after 37 weeks of pregnancy, it is more likely that your cervix will continue to soften and ripen, and labor will begin. How long after losing your mucus plug does labor start? Do not attempt to induce labor without the guidance of a healthcare provider, and always consult with your OB-GYN about any complications during your pregnancy. You should not attempt to remove the mucus plug since it is a barrier of protection for the fetus, and removing it will not induce labor. If you are unsure whether you lost your mucus plug or if your water broke, consider using a panty-liner to monitor the color and consistency, and notify your healthcare provider. Mucus plug discharge is gelatinous, while the amniotic fluid is very thin and watery. However, it is not the same as the mucus plug. When your water breaks it is also typically clear, or perhaps blood-tinged. While the mucus plug may have traces of blood in it from the cervix, the mucus plug itself is most often clear/white in color. Bloody show is a vaginal discharge that is often thicker and contains blood from the small blood vessels that break in your cervix as your cervix dilates. The mucus plug is often confused with the part of labor called the “bloody show,” but they are not the same thing. Is the mucus plug the same as “bloody show” or “water breaking”? Additionally, the mucus plug is not always expelled before labor, some may begin actively laboring before they lose their mucus plug. Since there is generally an increase in vaginal discharge near the end of pregnancy, some may not notice the passing of the mucus plug, especially if it does not all come out at once. However, if a woman passes the mucus plug, it does not necessarily mean she’s in early labor.” Kramer, “This can happen before labor or during labor. This is most likely to happen during late pregnancy. With cervical changes ( dilation and effacement), the mucus plug will come out. What does it mean to “lose your mucus plug?” The mucus plug also plays a role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy by keeping the cervix closed and helping to prevent premature labor. The mucus plug protects the developing fetus from harmful bacteria and other pathogens that could potentially enter the uterus before giving birth. What is the purpose of the mucus plug? The mucus plug may be clear, grayish, or maybe pink/blood tinged and is described as stringy or jelly-like. This includes a cervical exam, a provider sweeping your membranes, or sexual intercourse. Since the mucus plug is located in the cervix, movement or disruption of a soft/ripe cervix may dislodge the mucus plug. This collection of mucus becomes a protective plug/barrier between the baby and the vagina and remains an important protection until labor begins. The mucus plug is formed in early pregnancy as cervical mucus collects in the cervical canal. Mitchell Kramer, Chairman Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Long Island’s Huntington Hospital, explains that “The mucus plug is a mucus seal that acts as a barrier between the vaginal environment which contains bacteria and the sterile environment inside the uterus where the pregnancy sac and fetus reside,” explains Dr. Related: Labor Contractions or Braxton Hicks? How to Tell the Difference What is the mucus plug? Learn about the purpose of the mucus plug, what it means to lose the mucus plug, and if it can predict when labor will start. The loss of the mucus plug is thought to be a sign that labor is imminent. Towards the end of pregnancy, many are eager for any early signs of labor.
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