The Mucus Plug: What It Means and What It Doesn't

I never had that dramatic moment where I looked down and thought, "There it is. That's definitely my mucus plug!"

With my third pregnancy, before my induction, I had lots of extra discharge and remember wondering whether some of it was my mucus plug.

I still don't really know!

And that's actually something worth understanding. The mucus plug isn't always one giant, obvious blob, and you might never notice losing yours.

What is the mucus plug?

During pregnancy, thick mucus forms inside your cervix, creating a protective barrier that helps prevent bacteria from travelling up into your uterus.

As your cervix begins to soften, shorten and open in preparation for labour, some or all of that mucus may come away.

And this can happen without you even realising it!

What does the mucus plug look like?

It can be thick, sticky or jelly-like.

The colour can vary too. It might be clear, white, cream, yellowish, pink or brown, sometimes with a little blood mixed through it.

You might notice one obvious clump, or it might come away gradually in smaller amounts.

And honestly, sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference between normal increased pregnancy discharge and part of your mucus plug.

Does losing my mucus plug mean labour is starting?

Not necessarily!

Some mothers go into labour within hours of losing their mucus plug. For others, it might be days or even longer before labour begins.

Losing your mucus plug can be a sign that your cervix is changing, but it isn't a countdown clock.

It also doesn't tell you how many centimetres dilated you are.

So if you've just noticed something that looks like your mucus plug, don't assume you need to grab your hospital bag and head out the door!

Is the mucus plug the same as a bloody show?

They're closely related, but not quite the same thing.

Your mucus plug may come away without any blood.

A bloody show is usually mucus mixed with a small amount of blood as your cervix begins to change.

You might notice pink, brown or lightly blood-streaked mucus.

However, fresh red bleeding or bleeding that's more than light spotting should be assessed promptly by your maternity team.

Can the mucus plug come back?

Yes!

Your cervix continues producing mucus during pregnancy, so if some comes away earlier, more mucus can form.

Losing a little mucus doesn't necessarily mean you've lost the entire plug or that labour is about to begin.

What should I do if I think I've lost my mucus plug?

If you're at term, feeling well and the only thing you've noticed is some mucus, there's usually no need to rush to hospital.

Instead, pay attention to other signs that labour might be approaching, such as contractions becoming stronger and more regular or your waters breaking.

Always contact your maternity team promptly if you experience bleeding, think your waters have broken or notice a change in your baby's usual movements.

And if you're less than 37 weeks pregnant and notice possible signs of labour, including new mucus discharge with contractions, pelvic pressure or back pain, seek maternity advice straight away.

After four pregnancies, I never saw that huge, obvious mucus plug people sometimes talk about.

And that's really the point. Your cervix can be changing whether you see your mucus plug or not.

If you do notice it, think of it as a possible sign that your body is preparing for birth, not a timer telling you exactly when your baby will arrive.

Read next

• Braxton Hicks Versus Labour: How Can I Tell the Difference?

• Waters Breaking: What Happens Next?

• Cervical Checks: What They Can and Cannot Tell You