Generality
The loss of the mucous plug is one of the signs that indicate the approach of the birth .
This event consists in the expulsion of the mucus layer, which is formed inside the cervix, in the early stages of pregnancy . The function of the mucous plug is to provide protection for the fetus : by closing the cervical canal, this secretion - thick and dense - acts as a barrier against infectious agents or harmful substances that can come into contact with the uterine environment. At the end of pregnancy, when the cervix is "mature" and begins to dilate, the mucous plug begins to melt, until it comes out completely.
Therefore, the loss of the mucous plug helps to understand that the moment of delivery is now near: sometimes, it can mean that labor will start shortly thereafter; in other cases, however, it may take a few weeks before the baby is born.
The expulsion of the mucous plug is presented as a vaginal loss of gelatinous or watery material, whitish . Moreover, it is possible to notice the presence of pink or reddish streaks , which should not cause concern: in fact, they are small traces of blood, due to the breakage of capillaries due to the beginning of dilation of the uterus.
The loss of the mucous plug is absolutely painless and, in the last weeks of gestation, it can occur in a single moment or in several episodes, even after hours or days (in the latter case, it often goes unnoticed).
Although the composition, density and color vary, the loss of the mucous plug must always be kept under control, as it can provide important information on the health status of the future mother and child. Among the risk situations, for example, there is the premature expulsion of the cork, but also the losses that are too abundant compared to those that characterize its release. Particular attention should also be paid when the expelled mucous material contains a lot of blood (especially if it is bright red) or has too much yellow or brown color. These signs could indicate, in fact, a preterm birth, a rupture of the amniotic membranes or an ongoing infection . All these cases require a timely medical evaluation.
What's this
The loss of the mucous plug is a phenomenon that occurs in the last weeks of pregnancy, just before the birth. This consists in expelling the layer of mucus that forms at the level of the cervix .
The mucous plug represents a fundamental protective barrier for both the fetus and the uterus of the future mother. In fact, this seals the final part of the cervix to prevent any infectious agents or harmful substances from rising up the cervix and reaching the child during gestation.
Mucous plug: what does it look like?
The appearance of the mucous plug is not the same for all pregnant women, but varies mainly according to the conformation of the internal genital organs (uterine and cervical structure) and the different concentrations of the hormones that contribute to the maintenance of pregnancy. Immediately after fertilization has taken place, a series of important hormonal changes occur in the woman's body, in fact, fundamental for the onset of pregnancy. In particular, progesterone induces the thickening of the cervical mucus and contributes to the formation of the mucous plug .
The density, color and quantity of excretion that is expelled can therefore vary from one woman to another.
Usually, the cork has a similar appearance to thick and very gelatinous mucus, a milky white color and can appear streaked with red or brown blood (coagulated blood).
Causes
The cork is a mucous secretion produced by the glands of the cervix, which begins to form after conception, inside the cervix. Its function is to keep the cervical canal "sealed". The mucous plug provides, in fact, a protection for the developing fetus, as it constitutes a barrier against any bacteria or other pathogens to which the uterus and the amniotic sac could be exposed.
The loss of the mucous plug indicates that the cervix is beginning to change and expand as a function of labor, which can occur even after a few days.
Mucous Cap Loss: Why Does It Occur?
The loss of the mucous plug does not always coincide with the beginning of labor.
Depending on the size and density of the cervical mucus, in fact, its expulsion can take place in different ways. Usually, the loss of the mucous plug occurs near the birth, in the last weeks of pregnancy. Only in some cases, the loss of the mucous plug coincides with the onset of labor and the appearance of the first contractions.
What does it mean?
The loss of the mucous plug indicates that the delivery is near. This process is part of the prodromal signals, that is of the manifestations that indicate the approach of labor. It should be emphasized, however, that the loss of the mucous plug can occur from a few hours to a week or two before delivery.
Symptoms and Complications
Usually, the mucous plug has a milky white color and may appear, but not always, blood streaks . The loss of the mucous plug can occur in a single solution or in several moments.
It often happens that the cap is expelled in small quantities and, sometimes, it may happen that you don't notice it. To condition the expulsion of its most superficial part, in fact, can be slightly traumatic events such as an internal gynecological examination or sexual intercourse. As the end of gestation approaches, the losses of the mucous plug become more consistent and change color: from a milky white color they become pink or reddish.
Loss of the mucous plug: how to recognize it
The mucous plug appears as a loss of gelatinous consistency (thicker than the vaginal discharge appearing in pregnancy), in which blood streaks appear, which may be alive or coagulated (and, depending on this, change its color ).
The presence of blood drops is due to the rupture of the capillary vessels which occurs when the uterus begins to dilate. Sometimes, the color of the mucous plug can be darker due to the blood residues accumulated over the months.
The process of expulsion does not cause pain, therefore it can go unnoticed or if, for example, it occurs while going to the bathroom.
Loss of the mucous plug: when
Some pregnant women lose the mucous plug suddenly, all at once (a clearly recognizable event); for other women, on the other hand, expulsion can take place gradually and last for entire weeks or occur at irregular intervals.
After the loss of the mucous plug it is difficult to establish with certainty how much is missing in the birth. This event is not necessarily the sign of the beginning of labor: in some cases, in fact, whole days may pass between the leakage of the mucus and the beginning of contractions of birth, while, in other cases, the two may be closer in time.
Loss of the mucous plug: traces of blood
The loss of the mucous plug can be bloodless or with some pink streaks, due to the presence of blood traces secondary to the rupture of the cervical capillaries. This last phenomenon is completely normal and can later make the loss of the most evident mucous plug. The last part of the secretions can contain, in fact, darker streaks (red or brown), since they were formed at the beginning of pregnancy and remained in the cork until its expulsion. If the blood streaks associated with the loss of the mucous plug are few, there is no cause for concern: it is a natural and physiological phenomenon.
Signs to pay attention to
While varying from one woman to another, the loss of the mucous plug must always be kept under control. When the expulsion of this cervical secretion occurs, in fact, it is important to be able to interpret some anomalies, in order to intervene promptly .
In general, it is always better to call your gynecologist if one of the following situations should arise:
- Loss of the mucous plug occurs too early.
In some cases, the early loss of the mucous plug can coincide with a preterm birth . The mucous plug is generally expelled starting from the six weeks prior to delivery. If the loss occurs before 34-35 weeks of pregnancy, it is best to have a gynecological examination to check for any premature cervical dilation and, consequently, a threat of preterm labor.
- The secretions associated with the loss of the mucous plug are too abundant.
When the vaginal secretions associated with the loss of the mucous plug are so abundant as to require the use of an absorbent, it is advisable to call the gynecologist to carry out a control view. The leakage of liquid that accompanies the loss of the mucous plug could indicate the rupture of the amniotic membranes . In this case there is a loss of clear, warm liquid, with a very different odor from the urine and more or less abundant.
If the liquid associated with the loss of the mucous plug should be green (stained) it is advisable to go to the hospital as soon as possible, as it could be a symptom of fetal distress .
- The expelled mucous plug contains a lot of blood.
If the losses are very abundant and contain a lot of light or bright red blood, similar to a menstruation, it is necessary to go immediately to the emergency room for the appropriate checks. A conspicuous blood secretion associated with the loss of the mucous plug could signal, in fact, a placental detachment .
- The mucous plug is yellow and / or odorless .
When the loss of the mucous plug is yellow or has an unpleasant odor, it is better to carry out a check by the gynecologist, as there could be an infection in progress . In this case, a cervico-vaginal swab is recommended for searching for germs or bacteria that could be risky for the child. Possible ongoing infections should be counteracted to prevent the unborn child from being infected during the expulsion phase.
What to do
- The mucous plug is an indicator of the state of health of the future mother (and, consequently, of the well-being of the fetus) and it may be useful to stop and observe it when one realizes that it has been expelled.
- When the cervix begins to change (near the end of pregnancy), the cork comes out of the vagina, mixed with small traces of blood. Bleeding is due to the fragility of the capillaries of the uterine cervix, which can rupture due to preparatory contractions, but if the blood loss is abundant, comparable to a menstruation, you must go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
- If there are some situations that are far from the physiology, it is recommended to pay close attention and contact the reference gynecologist for the appropriate investigations. If the loss of the mucous plug occurs earlier than six weeks after delivery, go to the hospital and undergo a thorough medical check-up to prevent premature birth or an infection.
- When you are certain of the expulsion of the mucous plug, it is good not to be alarmed, but to live with serenity the last moments that precede the birth of the newborn.
What NOT to do
- The presence of blood must not alarm, but indicates that the cervix is starting to dilate: this completely physiological event can cause the rupture of some capillaries.
- When the loss of the mucous plug occurs, it is not necessary to go immediately to the hospital; other signs will indicate with certainty the beginning of labor and the imminent birth. The loss of the mucous plug can also occur one to two weeks before the birth itself.
Important! The loss of the mucous plug can provide an indication about the end of pregnancy, but it does not always coincide with the beginning of labor; the expulsion of the secretion that seals the cervical canal during gestation can, in fact, also take place at different times and at a distance of hours or days from the actual birth. In general, therefore, it is essential to let nature take its course, paying attention only to certain conditions that require the attention of the doctor (eg abundant blood loss, signs of vaginal infection, etc.).
