Mucus Plug vs Discharge: How to tell the difference during pregnancy

Mucus plug discharge is a term that is relevant to pregnant women. However, because excessive vaginal discharge during pregnancy is common, many women may be confused whether they have mucus plug or vaginal discharge. Let’s understand the difference between normal vaginal discharge and mucus plus discharge.

• What is vaginal discharge?
• What is mucus plug discharge?
• Symptoms of mucus plug discharge
• Difference between mucus plug and discharge
• How is mucus plug discharge different from a bloody show?
• What are the reasons for losing mucus plug discharge?
• What to Do If You Lose Your Mucus Plug Discharge?

Vaginal discharge is a normal functioning of a woman’s body and is always present in women who menstruate. It is a way of expelling fluid and cells, and the consistency and appearance depend on various factors such as menstrual cycle, hormones, pregnancy, infections, etc. Normal vaginal discharge is clear or white and usually doesn’t have any odour, just a mild smell.

Mucus plug discharge is a different type of discharge that every pregnant woman produces. The development of mucus plug is because of the hormones, progesterone and estrogen. Typically, it accumulates at the entrance of the cervical canal during the early stages of pregnancy. The job of the mucus plug is to ensure safety by helping in preventing bacteria and other infections from getting to the uterus and baby. Other than that, it also helps in keeping the area moist.

You must be wondering, ‘what does your mucus plug look like?’, and to help you identify it, here are some of the signs and symptoms of mucus plug discharge:

1. Mucus plug is present at the entrance of the cervix and helps to seal it. The elasticity and viscous texture of the mucus plug discharge largely depends on the amount of mucin present.
2. The consistency of mucus plug is typically thick, stringy, and jelly-like and you may find streaks of blood that look pink, red, or brown. This is due to the presence of capillaries in the cervix that could at times rupture when it is released.
3. Mucus plug discharge does not have an odour or foul smell.

When you lose the mucus plug, you’ll observe a glob of mucus in your underwear or when you wipe your vaginal area. It is also likely that some women may not notice losing their mucus plug. This is especially true if it happens gradually and in bits, which would make it look much like normal vaginal discharge. In such cases, it may also get washed away when you’re showering.

In any case, it is better to stay prepared for such situations. Keep a pack of Always panty liners handy with you throughout your pregnancy. It is the ideal product to use to manage excessive vaginal discharge, which is common during pregnancy. Always’ Extra Protect panty liners have a breathable and feminine design that offer trusted dryness with long-lasting everyday freshness. These liners are Extra Long for extra coverage and come with odour neutralizing technology that keeps you feeling fresh and confident at all times.

It is common for pregnant women to notice excessive vaginal discharge, more than the normal amount, due to shifting hormone levels. This could make it difficult to tell the difference between mucus plug and vaginal discharge. Here’s how you can differentiate between them.

• Vaginal discharge is normally thin and liquid-like, and, at times, a little mucous-like. Due to fluctuating hormone levels, it is common for women to experience excessive vaginal discharge during pregnancy. The consistency can vary from clear to milky white and tends to have a mild or no smell at all.

Mucus plug discharge, on the other hand, has the appearance of long, thick, and stringy strands of mucus. You may also notice some streaks of blood in it which can vary from red to brown in colour. When it exits from the cervix, it can either come out in a large, blob-like structure, or it could come out slowly in thick strands.

The release of the mucus plug discharge is an indicator that a pregnancy is coming to an end and labour will soon commence.

Mucus plug discharge and a bloody show is different, however, they both have mucus in common. The difference is that a mucus plug discharge is mainly mucus but may have some presence of blood in it. Mucus plug discharge is normally experienced right before labour. However, it is possible that it may happen even a few weeks prior to your labour.

With a bloody show, it happens when blood vessels in the cervix are ruptured due to the cervix’s softening and opening. The discharge in a bloody show is typically a mix of blood and mucus from the vagina. One may expect it to occur towards the end of a pregnancy, right before labour.

If you experience any of the above two, it is important to contact your doctor. At this time, you’re probably a few hours or days away from delivering your baby.

It is also important to note that in a bloody show, you produce and hence lose only a small amount of blood. If you notice heavy bleeding, it could require immediate medical attention due to an underlying complication.

A pregnant woman may observe mucus plug discharge in the lining of their underwear or after wiping on the toilet paper. Here are some of the reasons why you could have lost the mucus plug:

It is normal for your cervix to soften and expand when you near the end of your pregnancy. This happens because your body is preparing itself for delivery. In order for the baby to pass through, the cervix should be dilated to 10 centimetres and you can expect your cervix to be dilated to a couple of centimeters for a few weeks before delivery. The softening of cervix during this period can dislodge the mucus plug making it to come out.

Having sexual intercourse can dislodge the mucus plug. Having an intercourse during pregnancy is not harmful but it helps to be careful. If you lose your mucus plug too early in the pregnancy, it can carry some risk. Talk to your doctor immediately if you feel you have noticed mucus plug discharge after having an intercourse, and you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant.

These are routine examinations during the course of your pregnancy as it helps to ensure everything is going along smoothly. While conducting the exam, your cervical opening may stretch and can cause the mucus plug to fall out. Talk to your doctor if you notice it has fallen out right after an exam.

The first thing to do if you suspect you’ve found mucus plug discharge, and are less than 37 weeks into your pregnancy, you should immediately talk to your doctor. Also, it’s a good idea to check for other signs of labour. In case you don’t notice any other signs such as contractions, then there may not be any reason to worry.

It is common for it to take a few weeks for your cervix to expand before you labor pains kick in. It is important to note that mucus plug discharge is not an absolute indicator that labour will start in the next hour. Irrespective of this, it is imperative that you inform and consult your doctor.

Curious about the signs ovulation is over? Our guide offers clear insights to help you understand your cycle better.

In the last stages of pregnancy, it is common to observe mucus plug discharge. Speak to a doctor if you feel that you’ve lost your mucus plug earlier than 37 weeks, accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• Intense pelvic or lower abdominal pressure

• Light bleeding

• Cramps or contractions

• Low and dull backache

• A trickle of watery fluid

These signs could be indicators of preterm labor. During pregnancy, it is essential that you contact your doctor if you observe any unexpected changes. It is much better if the medical practitioner confirms it is a false alarm than assuming all’s good because you’re not sure.

Takeaway
Losing your mucus plug simply means that you are on the right track with pregnancy and it is progressing normally. Sure, it cannot, in any way, help ascertain exactly when you will give birth but it is a sign that your body is preparing itself for labour. If you have any queries or doubts, it is always recommended to speak to your doctor.

Stay well prepared for your next period by tracking it on Always Period Calculator.

FAQ

It is common for pregnant women to notice excessive vaginal discharge, more than the normal amount, due to shifting hormone levels. This could make it difficult to tell the difference in mucus plug vs vaginal discharge. However, mucus plug discharge can appear stringy, thick and jelly-like, or it may also be clear, pink, or slightly bloody. Typical vaginal discharge, on the other hand is thin, liquid-like, and, at times, a little mucous-like.

Yes, it is possible for the mucus plug to come out gradually and in bits, which would make it look much like normal vaginal discharge. This makes it likely that some women may not notice their mucus plug discharge at all. In such cases, it may also get washed away when you’re showering.

Typically, when you find mucus plug discharge, it is an indicator that a pregnancy is coming to an end and labour will soon commence. However, it is also common for it to take a few weeks for your cervix to expand before you labour pains kick in. Hence, mucus plug discharge is not an absolute indicator that labour will start in the next hour. Irrespective of this, it is imperative that you inform and consult your doctor.

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