Mucus plug: what it is, how to recognize it and when it is expelled
During pregnancy, a woman's body creates a number of mechanisms to protect the developing baby. One of these is the mucus plug, a natural barrier that many mothers-to-be are unaware of until they are nearing the end of pregnancy. Although its expulsion is a sign that the body is preparing for labor, it does not always mean that labor will begin immediately.
What is the mucus plug?
The mucus plug is a thick, jelly-like substance, composed mainly of cervical mucus, that forms in the cervix during the first trimester of pregnancy. Its main function is to seal the cervical canal and act as a protective barrier against bacteria and other pathogens from the outside.
This plug stays in place for most of the pregnancy and is a key component of the local immune system of the reproductive system.
According to the US National Institute of Health (NIH), this mucus acts as a biochemical barrier, trapping microorganisms and preventing infections that could affect the fetus.
The mucus plug acts as a protective seal on the cervix during pregnancy.
How to recognize the mucus plug?
The expulsion of the mucus plug may go unnoticed or be very obvious. It usually presents as a thick, viscous vaginal discharge that is clear, whitish, or yellowish in color. Sometimes, it contains streaks of blood or is slightly pink, which is known as "the bleeding of the mucus plug."
It is important not to confuse it with other normal vaginal pregnancy losses. Although its gelatinous texture is quite characteristic, each woman can experience it differently. Some lose it all at once, and others eliminate it in small amounts over several days.
"I saw a flow like egg white with a little blood. I called my midwife and she told me it was the mucus plug. I was 38 weeks old."
When is the mucus plug expelled?
However, its expulsion does not indicate that labor is imminent. Many women may lose the plug days or even weeks before contractions begin. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the onset of labor is clinically defined by regular contractions with cervical changes, not by loss of the mucus plug.
Should I go to the hospital when I lose the mucus plug?
If you're in the third trimester, losing the mucus plug without other symptoms doesn't require urgent attention. But there are exceptions:
- If it is accompanied by heavy bleeding (more than a period).
- If it appears before week 37.
- If you notice regular contractions, water rupture or decreased fetal movements.
In these cases, it is advisable to go to the health center or contact your midwife. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) points out that active surveillance for signs of preterm labor is essential to prevent complications.
What to do after you kick him out?
The best recommendation is to stay calm. Losing the mucus plug can be exciting because it indicates that the body is preparing for the big moment. You can write down the date and watch for other symptoms such as contractions or changes in flow. Take the opportunity to review your birth plan, pack your suitcase and communicate it to your midwife if you have any doubts.
Losing the mucus plug can be a sign that labor is approaching, but it's not cause for alarm.
Guidance information