What's a plug in pregnancy?

Question

-k- everybody, Sandi and Hank (sit next to me at work) and I are having a discussion. Is there a plug that falls out when a woman goes into labor? Both Sandi and Hank are each married and they say they've never heard of such a thing, but I'm not married (and I'm gay) and I have heard of a plug falling out. Is there even such a thing?

Thanks for your answers, all!! Now excuse me while I make a b-line to the restroom cuz I am about to blow chunks.

Answer 1

As you probably know by now, getting pregnant introduces you to a new up-close-and-personal acquaintance with your body, and you find yourself wondering about things that never would have occurred to you before. One of these might well be the mucus plug, which your healthcare practitioner probably has mentioned.

As she might have explained, the mucus plug is just an accumulation of secretions that form within the opening to the uterus, also called the cervical canal. The fact that mucus accumulates early in pregnancy is quite beneficial, as it serves to create a protective barrier against infection between the outside world and your growing baby.

As you near the end of your pregnancy, your cervix will begin to thin out and dilate. As it changes, you may lose your mucus plug and find a gooey deposit in your underwear or on the toilet tissue after wiping. It is not uncommon for this mucus to be mixed with brown, pink, or red streaks of blood from the changes occurring within your cervix. Some women may lose the plug at 36 weeks' gestation, while many others may not lose it until labor has begun. Sometimes moms-to-be may not even notice that they are losing their mucus plug because it happens gradually, over several weeks, and they've already grown accustomed to varying but increased amounts of the vaginal discharge that often accompanies a normal pregnancy. If you are earlier than 36 weeks' pregnant when you see blood-tinged mucus, or if you have any vaginal bleeding beyond the first trimester, you should call your practitioner.

Is labor soon to follow?
Rumors seem to abound when it comes to what it means to lose your mucus plug. While there's hardly a pregnant woman out there who doesn't wonder when exactly she will go into labor, the appearance of the mucus plug does not answer this question with any certainty. That said, loss of the mucus plug is often the first sign that labor is approaching. Before you make a mad dash to Labor and Delivery, however, remind yourself that many women do not go into labor for a week or two after this event. In fact, if you are full term--which almost by definition means that you'll be welcoming your new baby within the next few weeks--there is usually no need to even make an after-hours call to your practitioner.

Whatever the case may be, be kind to yourself during this time. Sit back, try to relax, and let nature take its course. Make sure to get plenty of rest because you will need it after labor begins. You may be on your way to helping along a miracle any day now.

Answer 2

Yes, it's called the mucous plug. It generally falls out within a day or so of labor (but sometimes up to a couple weeks before hand). It basically looks like flem - yup, pretty. It's a covering on the cervix, and when the cervix dilates the plug comes out.

Are you sure you want to know these things?

Answer 3

yea there is a mucus plug from your cervix that breaks up and comes out as your body changes and the baby lowers for birth. Its not like popping a cork or anything, most people don't even notice it, but the more births you have the more you notice it. Tell them you are RIGHT!

Answer 4

yes its called a plug cause its a compacted mucous membrane that develops on the outside of the cervix to prevent anything goin in or out of the womb. literally the baby is in its own little world in the womb. but acourse the mucous plug needs to be removed for the baby to come out so over a time frame of a couple of weeks or days it starts to break down before the birth of the child. most women see this as a bloody stringy mess in their undies or never see it all cause during nite runs to the bathroom it comes out and they never notice. but yes its a real gross thing but majority of pregnancy is gross and books and ppl never tell u about those parts! when women become pregnant their farting and burping habits become worse than a dirty drunk oldd man and its disgusting btu like they say the end product is what makes women keep getting pregnant and dealing with the pregnancy nasties!

Answer 5

It's not so much a plug as cervical mucus that forms to protect the pregnancy from outside infection.
And yes it does come loose when a woman goes into labor.
Most women who have had children know what it is.
CT

Answer 6

What they are talking about is the mucus plug from the cervix. It will begin to break up and come out as the woman nears time for delivery.

Answer 7

yep, sure is. Its a mucus plug, it helps seal the cervix shut during pregnancy, and before, or during the time that your water breaks and labor begins its passed. Most women dont even notice it, although second and third time moms sometimes do.

Answer 8

Yes it's like a slimy cork thing i'm 34 weeks so my mom thought she should have this talk with me since she thinks i'm so young and i don't know anything but my cousin told me that once her water broke the cork thing fell out.

Answer 9

It's too gooey to even be called a plug, really. You couldn't pick it back up or anything like that.

Answer 10

the mucus plug seals off the neck of the uterus.