Losing your Mucus Plug -- what's it mean?

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The mucus plug is a protective mechanism of pregnancy. We’ll talk about how long after you lose your mucus plug will you go into labor, what it looks like, cramping and how to tell your mucus plug from discharge.

Just because you've lost your mucus plug -- doesn't mean you don't have time to get a prenatal class in.  Check out this one that you can do on your own timeline.  You can even get 10% off with code PC10.

Pregnancy mucus plug

In pregnancy, your body creates a barrier of mucous (basically some thick discharge) at the neck of the cervix.

It does it to protect the baby from whatever was to come up your vagina.

I think of it as a “cork” keeping things out of where the baby is.

Losing Your Mucus Plug

As your cervix opens up a bit, that “cork” loosens — and it’s not being kept in as much as it was before.

Sometimes it falls out as one big chunk, or and sometimes it sort of dissolves and comes out in pieces.

It’s a good reason to wear at least a pantiliner that last month of pregnancy — these are my favorite.

What does the Mucus Plug Look Like?

It looks like dried mucus and dark brown blood. It’s like your cervix creates a little dam for itself with what it has.

How do you know if you’ve lost your mucus plug?

Most people notice it as mucus with some dark blood in the toilet or after they wipe after using the restroom.

Note: It can be SUPER gross. I actually almost threw-up when I saw mine (I’d never “lost” my plug until my last baby).

Related post: Protein in your urine during pregnancy

How long after mucus plug will I go into labor?

Probably in the next month…. and that is probably not the answer you were hoping for.

In reality, it mostly means your cervix ix starting to open, and soften — and that’s about it.

That doesn’t mean you’re going into labor. I do have a whole post on the signs of labor.

The ACOG website makes it akin to the baby dropping (or lowering into your pelvis).

Wondering how to tell the difference between false labor and true labor?

How to make your mucus plug come out?

There is NO reason to care about it coming out.

You can have a baby with a mucus plug. Or, sometimes you don’t know that it’s already come out.

This doesn’t need to be a concern at all.

Mucus plugs often come out after you have had a vaginal exam.

Can you have sex after losing your mucus plug?

Yup. You mostly need the barrier when your baby is small and developing. Once you lose it, your baby is larger and doesn’t need that protection anymore.

Cramping after losing your mucus plug

Your mucus plug falls out, often because your uterus is contracting now and then, which helps to soften & open your cervix.

So, you may have had some cramping before, and just didn’t notice it.

Also, often getting up from the restroom makes you contract, as does peeing. So, while you may cramp after losing your plug — you just should keep an eye on things to see if if turns into labor.

Not sure what you’re feeling? — I have a whole post on what contractions feel like.

Is it your Mucus Plug or Discharge?

First off, it doesn’t really matter — so I wouldn’t lose too much sleep on this one.

BUT, usually, the mucous plug is thick and brownish in nature.

Discharge is usually thinner, but can have some brownish tinge to it as well.

Often, as I said, the mucus plug sort of dissolves, so you might get chunks of it mixed with regular discharge.

ALSO, towards the end of pregnancy, discharge gets a bit dicey. You might not even know if your water broke.

FAQ’s about Mucus Plugs

Are Mucus Plugs and Bloody Show the Same Thing?

No, mucus plugs are something that have “corked” off your uterus — it’s dried mucus. Bloody show is usually bright red and thinner in nature.

Can Mucus Plugs be Clear?

No, they are usually brownish/yellowish as they are tried mucus. If you have clear discharge, that is probably just a change in discharge as you near the end of your pregnnacy

When is the mucus plug formed?

Mainly at the beginning of your pregnancy as your body is working to protect the baby.

Where is the mucus plug located?

it’s at the bottom of your uterus at the cervix — that is where the baby will come out (you can read more about cervixes)

Why does the mucus plug come out?

Your cervix has started to open, and it no longer “corks” off the end of it. Think of it as a bottle of wine, but somehow the lip of it got larger, so the cork can’t stay in — and because it’s upside down, gravity pulls it out.

Does the mucus plug smell?

Not really…. it’s just dried mucus, although it could smell a bit “fleshy” — I don’t think it’s anything too noticeable.

Can your mucus plug grow back?

I doubt it — it’s really formed in early pregnancy as a protective mechanism. That being said, as you near the end of your pregnancy you can have MANY changes in discharge, so you may just notice lots of stuff coming out — just preparing the way for that baby!

Why is the mucus plug bloody

You may have had some implantation bleeding, or possible bleeding for vaginal exams in early pregnancy — that all sort of collects at the cervical outlet, which is why it has blood in it.

Can they check my cervix if my mucus plug is intact

Yes, while protective, it’s not actually hard and a skilled practitioner will easily still be able to check your cerivx.

Hilary has been an L&D nurse since 2001 — and has seen people bring in their mucus plug in a Tupperware container, or take photos on their phone for us all to enjoy.

Don’t do that. The mucus plug isn’t a big deal. I’d encourage you to watch for all the signs that tell you if you’re in labor.

AND, I’d encourage you to take a prenatal class. They’re hard to get in, so, grab this online childbirth class to get it done on your own time (on your COUCH). The absolute BEST way to do it — don’t forget that code PC10 will get you 10% off!

Be sure to grab my printable birth plan — and check out my other delivery tips below that: