Mucus Plug Losing in Pregnancy: What It Means for Labor

• How Does Mucus Plug Discharge Take Place?
• Causes Of Mucus Plug Fallout
• Losing Mucus Plug Before Labour
• How To Remove Sinus Mucus Plug At Home?
• Side Effects Of Losing Mucus Plug
• What To Do After You Lose Your Mucus Plug?
• Key Takeaways
• FAQs
• Message From SuperBottoms

During early pregnancy, a thick sticky plug is formed between the uterus and the vaginal canal of every expecting mother. This happens to prevent any bacterial infection from entering the vaginal canal and, thus, the uterus. This helps save the baby from infections and avoids premature delivery situations.

This plus is known as the mucus plug. Without the mucus plug, many women would not even be able to reach the full term of their pregnancy; thus, it is crucial to know about it. This article will help you understand the What’s, the Why’s, and How’s of the mucus plug during pregnancy.

How Does Mucus Plug Discharge Take Place?

All through your pregnancy, you will experience vaginal discharge, which will more or less look like a mucus plug too. But understand: Mucus discharge is thick and jelly-like in consistency. For each expecting mom, the mucus plug will look different. But usually, it will:

- Be a clear or off-white jelly-like substance.
- Be sticky and stringy in texture.
- Be odourless.
- Be an inch or two long at max.

You may lose the plug in one go, which will look like a big blob of mucus, or it may even fall off piece by piece.

Causes of Mucus Plug Fallout

Although the fallout is natural and eventually happens in all pregnancies, a few things can trigger it. Here are three things that can cause plug fallout.

1. Having sex – Having sex during pregnancy, even in the last trimester or towards the end of your pregnancy, is not harmful to your baby or your pregnancy. However, having sexual intercourse can loosen the plug and can result in fallout.

2. Cervical exams – In the last few weeks, your doctor has physically checked your cervix to check dilation progress. Unfortunately, this can sometimes stretch or irritate the cervix, resulting in plug fallout.

3. Opening and softening of the cervix - is the most natural cause of mucus plug fallout. Your mucus plug will naturally fall out as your cervix opens and your body prepares for labour.

Losing Mucus Plug Before Labour

Losing the mucus plug before labour is one of the signs that your labour is near. It would not indicate labour unless you experience the following symptoms too:

- Strong contractions
- Belly and lower back pain
- Bloody show
- Water breaking

How To Remove Sinus Mucus Plug At Home?

While it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for persistent sinus issues, there are some ways how to remove sinus mucus plugs at home that may help alleviate sinus congestion and loosen mucus plugs:

1. Steam inhalation: Steam can help moisturise and loosen mucus in the sinuses. To do this, lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel draped over your head to trap the steam and inhale deeply for several minutes.

2. Nasal irrigation: A saline solution used to flush out the nasal passages can help remove mucus plugs and relieve congestion. You can use a Neti pot or a saline nasal spray.

3. Hydration: Drinking fluids helps keep mucus thin and more accessible to expel.

4. Humidifier: A humidifier in your room can add moisture to the air, helping to thin mucus and ease congestion.

5. Warm compress: Applying a warm compress over your sinuses can help soothe discomfort and loosen mucus.

6. Elevate your head while sleeping: Elevating your head can help prevent mucus from pooling in your sinuses and exacerbating congestion.

Remember to consult a healthcare provider if you experience persistent or severe sinus issues, as they can provide proper diagnosis and treatment.

Important Tip: When selecting bladder leak underwear (incontinence panties) during pregnancy, prioritise comfort, absorbency, and adequate coverage. Choose breathable materials and a proper fit like SuperBottoms Bladder Leak Underwear (Incontinence Panties) to prevent irritation. It may be helpful to use additional protection like SuperBottoms Booster Pads for extra security, especially when losing the mucus plug. Consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice and recommendations.

Side Effects of Losing Mucus Plug

Losing the mucus plug doesn't have side effects, as it's part of pregnancy. However, it can sometimes be accompanied by symptoms or complications that may warrant medical attention. These can include:

1. Preterm labour: Losing the mucus plug before the 37th week of pregnancy may be a sign of preterm labour, which requires medical evaluation and management to prevent premature birth.

2. Infection: If the loss of the mucus plug is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, foul-smelling discharge, or signs of illness, it could indicate an underlying infection that needs treatment.

3. Rupture of membranes: In some cases, the loss of the mucus plug may be followed by a gush of amniotic fluid, indicating that the membranes surrounding the baby have ruptured. This requires prompt medical attention to prevent infection or cord prolapse complications.

4. Bleeding: If you experience heavy bleeding along with the loss of the mucus plug, it could be a sign of placental abruption or another serious complication that requires immediate medical attention.

It's essential to consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or experience unusual symptoms after losing your mucus plug during pregnancy. They can assess your condition and provide appropriate guidance and treatment.

What To Do After You Lose Your Mucus Plug?

Losing your mucus plug indicates that your cervix is dilated and your labour is near. You first need to relax and calm yourself, and then talk to your gynaecologist about this. Here is what you can expect next:

- Your doctor will call you for a physical check-up to check the status of your cervix dilation.
- You must keep your hospital bag ready if you must rush to the hospital at any time.
- If you are a working professional, you should inform your manager and team that you might now go into labour at any moment. Your spouse should be doing the same to be available at short notice.
- Plan no travel after this point.
- If your parents or family members plan to come to live with you to help you through childbirth and for the first few weeks, now is the time to inform them to pack the bags and come over.

Key Takeaways:

1. Consult your doctor if you lose your mucus plug before the 37th week of pregnancy, experience symptoms like intense pain, bleeding, or fever when losing the plug, or feel a sudden gush of fluids from your vagina, which could indicate your water breaking without the plug falling off.
2. Losing the mucus plug signifies the final stage of pregnancy, signalling the imminent onset of labour. It's time to prepare for labour by trying safe at-home exercises to induce labour and ensuring your hospital bag is ready.
3. Stress should be minimised during this phase to welcome your baby calmly.

FAQs:

Q1. Why Do Women Lose Their Mucus Plug?

Ans. Losing the mucus plug indicates that labour is near. This happens as the cervix prepares for labour by widening, softening, and shortening. Eventually, the cervix opens enough for the plug to fall out, which can happen all at once or in pieces. The plug is a gooey glob of mucus with blood. However, it's important to note that losing the mucus plug is not the only sign of labour.

Q2. When Would You Lose Your Mucus Plug?

Ans. The timing of losing the mucus plug varies among women. It can happen a few days before the due date, around week 37, or even during labour. If the mucus plug is intact until week 37, there's cause for concern. However, if it's discussed before week 37, it's advised to consult a gynaecologist for evaluation.

Q3. What are things to avoid after losing the mucus plug?

Ans. There are things to avoid after losing mucus plug during pregnancy. It's important to avoid sexual intercourse, insert anything into the vagina, strenuous activities, and monitor for signs of labour while staying hydrated and resting.

Message From SuperBottoms

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Reference Link:

1. Losing Your Mucus Plug During Pregnancy
2. Losing your mucus plug during pregnancy