As you approach your 37-week milestone of pregnancy, try to be aware of this and proceed carefully when having sex with your partner. 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. (2014, October 16).As a pregnant woman, you’re probably already used to life with more vaginal discharge than normal. Ruptureof membranes: has your water broken Low amniotic fluid levels: oligohydramnios.(2015, August).Amniotic fluid: physiology and assessment.You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. ![]() Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. ![]() If you do this and don’t see any fluid on the pad, the fluid you are seeing is probably urine. If it isn’t, the fluid could be amniotic fluid.Īnother option is to put on a pad or panty liner and concentrate on holding your pelvic floor muscles tight, as if you are trying to stop your urine stream. If the fluid is yellow in color, it’s likely urine. Place a sanitary pad or panty liner in your underwear and examine the fluid that is on the pad after 30 minutes to an hour. Vaginal fluid is usually white or yellow in color.Īnother way you can try to determine if the fluid is amniotic fluid is to first empty your bladder. clear, white-flecked, and/or tinged with mucus or blood.So it can be difficult to determine if fluid is urine, amniotic fluid, or vaginal fluid.Īmniotic fluid may have a few of the following qualities: Your vaginal tissues also may produce extra fluid to help your baby pass more easily. When you’re pregnant, you may feel like everything leaks: Your bladder becomes fuller faster, and you may leak urine. This can result in a slow leak of amniotic fluid. While it’s possible to break the water balloon, causing a strong gush of fluid (known as your water breaking), it’s also possible that a small hole could develop in the sac. Think of your amniotic sac like a water balloon.
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