The terms “mucus plug” and “childbirth” are often mentioned in the same breath, yet many expectant mothers do not know exactly what the mucus plug is or how it relates to labor.
During pregnancy, the mucus plug seals the cervix, thereby protecting the unborn baby from ascending germs and the resulting illnesses. A few days before—or even just before—the actual birth, the thick mucus, which sometimes takes the form of a plug (hence the name), may be discharged. In the past, this was a sure sign for farmwomen that it was high time to prepare the laundry and the room for the birth. The midwife also had to be notified, because without a phone or a car, it could take several days for her to arrive. The mucus plug and labor aren’t necessarily directly linked; for some expectant mothers, the plug comes out shortly before their long-awaited baby is born, while for others, it may take a few more days before contractions begin.
When the mucus plug comes out!
One to two days—or even just a few hours—before giving birth, expectant mothers notice a discharge of mucus, which can also be found on their underwear. Afterward, they often feel a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen and sacrum, much like during their menstrual period. Since small blood vessels in the cervix also tear as the mucus plug is expelled, women may notice light bleeding, also known as “show.” The expulsion of the mucus plug and the birth are very close together; the first contractions are sure to follow shortly, and it’s now time to head to the hospital.
Mucus Plug and Labor—Here We Go!
These days, many women are no longer familiar with the mucus plug or its significance. That’s why they’re often frightened when they notice an increase in discharge. And yet it’s a completely natural process, because the time has come: the baby is ready to be born and no longer needs the woman’s body’s natural protection. After the mucus plug has reliably sealed the uterus for over nine months, the cervix must now open to make way for the new life—and that’s another reason why the mucus is expelled. However, not every pregnant woman actually notices this discharge.
Or the mucus plug may have been accidentally dislodged during one of the many vaginal exams before delivery. The mucus plug and childbirth raise many uncertainties, so expectant mothers should not hesitate to ask their midwife and obstetrician about the continued protection of the uterus and the baby. Pregnancy is not an illness, but the most natural thing in the world. That’s why women should educate themselves about the processes now taking place in their bodies. After all, the better a pregnant woman understands what to expect in the coming weeks, the more secure she will feel. And both mother and child benefit from this.
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