Before explaining “Will Labor Start Immediately After Losing Mucus Plug”, let’s first understand what a mucus plug is? Towards the end of the first month of the pregnancy, the cervix becomes soft and swells a little. During this time, the cells in the cervix start to produce mucus that fills the uterine cervix without leaving any gap between the uterine wall.
The mucus thickens over time and seals the cervix tightly, thereby, fully blocking the entrance to the uterus. The cervical mucus consists of antibodies that resist the infection-causing bacteria and pathogens from entering the uterus. Also, cervical secretion is a continual process. Therefore, the mucus plug remains fresh throughout the pregnancy.
In This Article
- Will Labor Start Immediately After Losing Mucus Plug?
- Can You Go Into Labor Without Losing Mucus Plug?
- How and Why do We Lose the Mucus Plug?
- When do Women Normally Lose Their Mucus Plug?
- What Does it Mean When Some of Your Mucus Plug Comes out?
- Is Losing the Mucus Plug a Sign of Labor?
- What to Do if You Lose Your Mucus Plug?
- What Are the Risk Factors For Losing the Mucus Plug Early?
- Consulting a Doctor If/When Losing the Mucus Plug Early
- FAQ’s
Will Labor Start Immediately After Losing Mucus Plug
Losing the mucus plug is considered an early sign of labor. So many expecting mothers wonder Will Labor Start Immediately After Losing Mucus Plug. Even though losing the mucus plug is an early sign of labor, losing it does not mean labor is imminent. Labor could be hours away or it could likely start within the next 2 to 3 weeks. Also, some mothers lose their mucus plug only after they enter labor.
Can You Go Into Labor Without Losing Mucus Plug?
Yes, it is possible to go into labor without losing the mucus plug. Yet, at any rate, it will go with a water break during delivery or the specialist will expel it amid the procedure of delivery.
How And Why Do We Lose The Mucus Plug?
Losing the mucus plug usually means that the body is preparing for labor regardless of the gestational age. When the baby is engaged, the cervix starts to ripen. That means the cervix starts to efface and dilate. Cervical effacement results in loosening of the plug as it cannot be held firmly in place.
The mucus plug is, thus, dislodged. It can come out all at once, in one big lump, or it can come out in pieces over a period of time. How the mucus plug comes out primarily depends on how elastic the cervix is. The chances of expelling mucus plug in a single piece are more if the cervix is more elastic.
When Do Women Normally Lose Their Mucus Plug?
The time of the mucus plug dislodging cannot be predicted as there will be no distinguishable signals prior to the event. There will be no physical pain or sensations. Some women may not even notice the passing of the plug. The mucus plug can dislodge from the cervix at any time during the gestational period.
However, it is more likely to dislodge between the 37th and 42nd weeks of pregnancy. If the mucus plug is lost earlier than the 37th week, it can be an indication of preterm labor. However, the mucus plug can redevelop itself to some degree if it’s lost earlier than the 37-week mark. This depends on how much mucus plug is lost.
What Does It Mean When Some Of Your Mucus Plug Comes Out?
When the mucus plug starts to come out partially, it means your cervix is starting to thin, stretch, and dilate. That is why the mucus plug is not able to stay corked in one place. This also indicates that labor is not too far, as the effacing and dilation of the cervix are part of the body’s means of preparing for labor.
Is Losing The Mucus Plug A Sign Of Labor?
Yes, losing mucus plug is one of the early signs of labor. But the labor can take place from two hours to a couple of weeks. However, if other signs like rhythmic back pain, rupture of the membrane, more frequent and severe contraction, loose motion, etc., appear together or follow just after the dislodging of the plug, your labor is very near.
Just like you can’t stop the mucus plug from falling out earlier than 37 weeks if your pregnancy is preterm, you should not pull out the mucus plug in case you are overdue too. The mucus plug, if pulled out forcefully can generate infection.
What To Do If You Lose Your Mucus Plug?
Losing the mucus plug is not a reason to worry unless your due date is more than 4 weeks away. Losing it doesn’t always mean that labor is near. There will still be a couple of weeks more to go for you to go into labor. Stay relaxed and wait for things to advance in the natural course.
However, if it is followed by water breaking or by contractions that increase in intensity and frequency, then it is highly recommended to seek medical attention because it could be a sign of labor. Even after losing the mucus plug without other signs, you must stay close to the hospital. Even though losing the mucus plug is an early sign of labor, one can’t predict how fast you go into labor.
What Are The Risk Factors From Losing The Mucus Plug Early?
Losing mucus plug early is not really risky. Losing the plug doesn’t mean any harm to your unborn baby. Actually, mucus protection is secondary protection. The primary protective factor of the baby from infections (and most importantly from accidents) is the chamber of water in which the baby is growing.
Moreover, the cervix continues to produce mucus (even if it doesn’t get much time to harden as before) which resists the entry of pathogens. Therefore, even if you lose the music plug weeks before the due date, and if there are no contractions and there’s not a lot of bright red blood in the mucus and there is no pain of any kind, there is no reason to worry.
Just follow some precautionary measures like:
- Never take bath in public areas like a swimming pool. Avoid bathtubs as well.
- Change your undergarment frequently. This will lessen the chances of infection significantly.
- Avoid intercourse.
- Don’t apply anything near the vaginal area (even soap).
Consulting A Doctor If/When Losing The Mucus Plug Early
Most of the time, losing the mucus plug is an early sign of labor. Therefore, if the mucus plug comes out partially or fully, inform the doctor to minimize the chances of preterm labor and delivery. Unlike the loss of the mucus plug, the breaking of the membrane poses danger and risk for the unborn baby. Therefore, if any vaginal discharge during pregnancy bothers you, you should inform your doctor.
FAQ’s
1. Can Your Water Break Right After Losing Mucus Plug?
When your mucus plug slips out, this typically indicates that your cervix has opened. After the mucus plug is gone, the speed with which the water breaks differs from woman to woman. That might take anything from an hour to a week. Labor is most likely to begin fast when the mucus plug is gone at the same time that the water breaks.
2. Should I Go To The Hospital After Losing the Mucus Plug?
The mucus plug falling out is a natural part of the birth process and seldom causes any complications. You do not need to contact your doctor if you have mucus plug loss or a “bloody show” without subsequent contractions or water breaking.
3. Do You Get Cramps When Losing the Mucus Plug?
In most cases, the process of losing a mucus plug does not cause any discomfort; nonetheless, it is possible to suffer some lower abdomen pain that is comparable to the cramping that is experienced during menstruation.
