Throughout your pregnancy you will notice an increase in vaginal discharge, known as leukorrhea. It tends to increase as the pregnancy progresses, which causes many expectant mothers to wear panty liners especially towards the end of the pregnancy. This is very common and is not something to be concerned about. Typically the discharge is creamy, white or beige, and is globby/ boogery like you would have come out of your nose. If the discharge is brown, red, pink or watery, you would want to consult your OB right away. Brown discharge usually is nothing, because it is considered old blood, which means you are not currently bleeding. If it is red or pink it may mean there is a problem and your doctor will want to see you right away. Clear watery discharge may be amniotic fluid, and that is something you will most definitely need to be seen for as well. Two things to keep in mind while you are pregnant, is that you should never ever wear a tampon or douche as a result of the discharge. These are 2 very big no-no’s, as they can cause major problems such as infection and preterm labor.
What does the mucous plug do?
The mucous plug is simply a collection of cervical mucous that blocks the opening of the cervix. It is the baby’s barrier from harmful bacteria and infection.
How do you know if you lost it?
Many women during the 8th or 9th month of pregnancy tend to lose parts of their mucous plug at a time. Although some women do lose theirs all at once, some don’t ever notice it at all! For the latter half that may be because they lost theirs while going to the bathroom, particularly a bowel movement. In that case they would not have even known it came out. But most women will notice during the end of their pregnancies several large deposits of thick cervical mucous. It is thicker and in a larger quantity than what a pregnant woman normally has.
I think I lost it! Does that mean I will go into labor tonight?
Losing your plug is a good indication that labor is near…near…but maybe not immediate. Typically women will go into labor several hours to several weeks after the loss of their mucous plug. Many doctors will tell you not to worry if you do notice yours has come out. It is more an indication that you have begun dilating then a sign that you are about to go into labor. If you notice “bloody show”, which is a pink or red tinged glob of cervical mucous, and you are 36 weeks pregnant, or less, you will want to contact your doctor. You may be about to go into pre-term labor. The bloody show is a better indication that labor is close, because it means that your entire plug has come out and your cervix is spreading and opening.
By: Jenna Garvin