mucus plug question?

Question

okay, i think i understand it now. so when you lose your mucus plug does that mean you are starting to dialate and thats why it falls out? because if thats not what it means then i dont understand it .. lol

Answer 1

Losing your mucus plug doesn't mean you are dilating. It just means your cervix is changing in preparation for labor. Some women lose the plug all at once, others very slowly and it can still be weeks before labor starts.

Answer 2

With your first pregnancy your mucus plug may fall out about two weeks before (or more) before you actually go in to labor. The plug is just there as an extra protection for your baby against infection. Once it "falls" out, your body will create a new one. I never lost mine with my first two deliveries, but did with the third. It really didn't change anything. I still didn't go in to labor right away. The mucus plug is a big source of uncertainty for many!

Answer 3

It means that some changes are happening in the cervix - not always dilation. It could be softening. Your cervix starts out firm, like a cold stick of butter. As it ripens, it softens, to the consistency of a room-temperature stick of butter. It could also be effacing - thinning out. Or, yes, you might be dilating a little.

But it doesn't mean that labor is imminent. It could be days, or weeks before labor starts. It's just a sign that your body is preparing. It also might not all come out in one big chunk. It could come out a little at a time over several days.

Answer 4

Not necessarily. It has been shown that some women lose their plug in the beginning of their pregnancy, some lose bits and pieces throughout their pregnancy, and some not at all. Ask your doctor to break it down.

Answer 5

it doesnt necessarily mean you're starting to dilate, but you usually are. sometimes it doesn't even come out!!