Mucus Plug? Had to Ask

Updated on December 30, 2010
D.G. asks from Fleming Island, FL
17 answers

I've never lost my mucas plug or had my water break (and a number of other things I'm currently experiencing) with my boys. Last night in the shower (spoiler: sorry if a little TMI) when i was washing down there, I noticed an odd whitish mucus looking substance on my rag. It really freaked me out so I immediately went online to look it up..Mucus plug is what it gave me. It said if not containing blood, that it could be weeks before your baby comes. Which would be fine and dandy but I'm only 28 wks!! I dunno what to do..should I call my OB and ask? Should I wait until my next appointment and mention it? I more than anything want them to check it and tell me I'm wrong so I can stop worrying...can they check you and tell if it's missing? All advice is welcomed. Thanks everyone.

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So What Happened?

After i got of the shower last night (11:30) i had bad pains and finally went to thehospital at 2am to find out i had started dialating. I had to get 3 shots to stop progress and 2 1/2 bags of fluid to hydrate me. i dunno how long the shots will last but i hope it keeps her in for 9 more weeks.As far as i know my plug isn'tgone yet. Thanks for the advice ladies.

More Answers

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

I never lost my mucus plug with my 3 pregnancies, but what you're describing sounds like normal thick discharge (due to your hormone levels). Especially in the last trimester, that discharge can be so heavy that you'll need to use a pantyliner. It's different for every woman. A mucus plug (google image!) looks more like a raw oyster... or a big hunk of phlegm (snot!)... Call your doc to be safe, but I think that sounds pretty normal ;)

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G.T.

answers from Modesto on

Your mucous plug regenerates itself if part of it comes out early on.... so no worries. We usually dont even know when we lose it. Every now and then it will be a little more "creamy" when you wipe down there, that sort of comes and goes in the last mo's of pregnancy.

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R.S.

answers from New York on

Umm...from what I remember the real mucous plug essentially precipitates delivery. I would contact your OB to make sure if you've lost your plug or not. At 28 weeks, you will experience some mucousy discharge that can be quite thick and gelatinous at times; I wonder if this is really what you saw, and not a real mucous plug.

Talk to your OB and see what she/he says.

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V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

TMI in the answer as well....
so WARNING WARNING... lol

I gave birth twice. The first time I don't recall even knowing a mucous plug existed and was still clueless about it when I was pregnant with #2. But, about 2 weeks before I went into labor with our 2nd baby, I lost my mucous plug. BUT, it wasn't a small little whitish substance. It was more like a jellyfish. Seriously. It didn't seem small (or didn't seem that way at the time, lol) and was really slimy and rather opaque..... like a jelly fish you'd find washed up on the beach. I have lived in Jacksonville (since I see you are from Fleming Island) so I am referring to exactly the kind of blobs you'd find on Jax beach or St. Augustine, lol. A little smaller than what you'd find on the beach, but the same appearance color wise and slimy.

But, that said... if you have ANY concerns about what it was or if you should worry, please contact your doctor's office. They are familiar with your individual circumstances and pregnancy. We aren't.

I hope this helps, and God Bless you and your baby.

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M.R.

answers from Rochester on

I always seem to have an increase in discharge during pregnancy and find it helpful to wear a thin panty liner. It can also help you see what kind of discharge it is more clearly. I think I lost the mucus plug with my first but it was at the same time that I had amniotic fluid leaking (so a LOT of thick and pink/bloody mucus and fluid). If it is whitish, it is probably normal discharge at this point. If you'll feel better, call your doctor's office. I'm sure they get weirder calls. :)

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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I think you are normal to worry. It's good news that the mucous you found was whitish in color and not reddish, meaning tinged with blood.

You will feel much better if you wear a thin pad and watch for any leakage, drink a glass of water, lay down and rest, take several breaths and see if your body is doing anything else. Then, call your OB FYI to let them know how you are feeling.

The best sign is if you are not having any other signs of labor but you will need to be extra careful and not expose yourself to public pools/saunas. With the mucous plug gone your uterus is more susceptible to infection.

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I.S.

answers from Seattle on

Ok first of all, if you are concerned, call your doctor. They can examine you and check for signs of labor. Best to be safe rather than sorry.

Now, I was 28 weeks when my doctor noticed my mucous plug was gone. I was having twins so I had to have regular exams. We actually don't know when it fell out. But I did make it to 36 weeks, so try not to stress too much.

I can't actually say whether or not that it was your MP that fell out, I remember an increase in the mucous side of discharge when I was pregnant.

Of course if you start bleeding, cramping....anything that worries you or is unusual dont hesitate to see your doc. Good luck and try not to stress too much.

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

i would call your doc for sanity sake, i first noticed it in the toilet when I urinated ... dr said it's normal.

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K.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I am currently pregnant (34 weeks) and have had a steady amount of whitish discharge (sorry I know thats a somewhat graphic) since I was 16 weeks. The doctor told me that it is perfectly normal. She did check me for any possible infections at that time and they came back clear. I went to her recently (around 32 weeks) and told her that it had increased and so she checked and said that I was still completely closed and that she wasn't worried. For some pregnancies, you just have it . . . I wouldn't worry to much, but let you OB know. You could probably get away with waiting till your next appointment. I don't think it's anything to stress about though :)

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

I wouldn't necessarily think it was your plug but I would call your doctor and ask to be certain. IF I lost my plug, I never saw it. I have no idea what it looks like but I can say that with all of my pregnancies (I am pregnant with #4), I have noticed an increase of vaginal discharge as I got closer to the end of my pregnancy. I would say what you saw is normal and not the plug...but your doctor might want to know the specifics to know for sure.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

CALL your OB/GYN.

I lost my mucous plug with my first child, and that SAME day, I went into labor.

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N.K.

answers from Miami on

It's probably plain old mucous discharge, which is totally normal, all women get it at some point or other, and many get a discharge even if they are not pregnant. If it'd make you feel better, call the ob/gyn's nurse and ask her, I am sure that by the amount of discharge described she can tell you whether it's nothing or if it's worth coming in and checking it out.

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J.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I would call your OB immediately and see what they say. It could be nothing, good that there was no blood but any change like that this early could be signs of pre-term. If it is you certainly do not want to wait

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J.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I am 38 weeks pregnant and I had this problem begin for me around 28 weeks as well. I went to the OBGYN and they ran a FFN test that test to see if it is your mucous plug or not. Mine came out positive and what that means is that you have a 50% chance of delivering within two weeks. So my doctor sent me to the hospital for a round of steroid shots to mature the baby's lungs and etc. I had to go 2 times within 24 hours to get my two doses. Then nothing happened and I am still having the mucous discharge at 38 weeks and only dilated to 2.5. But look up FFN test it will help you get more information and if your doctor brings this up to you it will help you understand it better as well. Good Luck!

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I would say to call your obgyn for peace of mind.

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C.P.

answers from Boca Raton on

The mucus plug is way more gross than a little discharge. I lost mine at about 39 weeks and still had to be induced at 41 weeks. If it will make you feel better call your doctor, but don't stress :)

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S.S.

answers from Miami on

During pregnancy there are hundreds of things that could leak out of us~don't worry about it. It is probably hormone or cleansing related. With twins you are probably going to be early, you're high risk. Get alot of movement so the babies can get plenty of movement and develop vestibular systems.

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