Shortly before childbirth, the mucous plug disappears. It is believed that from now on, it is better for a woman to refrain from traveling and to check whether all the things that she may need in a maternity hospital are actually collected. How much these warnings are justified and whether the departure of the slimy plug is a sign of the approaching genera, we will now discuss with you.
Mucous plug: precursor of childbirth
What is a slimy plug? It is a clot of mucus that fills during pregnancy almost the entire canal of the cervix. The formation of mucus begins with the moment of conception. Slime fills the cervical canal very tightly, being essentially reliable protection of the fetus from the penetration of a variety of infections.
When the plug leaves before delivery, it is clear that this is a rather dense mucus, possibly in the form of a lump. By the way, the departure of the mucous plug before delivery is not necessary. Sometimes, the mucous plug comes out only during labor.
Likewise, it is a mistake to assume that the mucous plug comes off when the delivery is about to begin. In fact, between the passage of cork and childbirth may take several days or weeks. In this case, a woman should refrain from visiting the pool, taking a bath, as the risk of infection is significantly increased. It is also desirable to give up sex.
The color of the mucous plug that comes out before giving birth can be beige, light pink, yellowish white. The mucous plug can be completely clear and clean, and also can contain a small admixture of blood. Blood in the mucus appears as a result of the expansion of the cervix - small capillaries do not withstand the load and burst.
Most often, the plug leaves before delivery, when the expectant mother visits the bath or toilet early in the morning. The woman, in this case, will feel the departure of the cork, but she will not be able to see it. Sometimes, the tube before delivery comes out when examined in the gynecological office or when the amniotic fluid flows.
The exit of the cork can be accompanied by a slight aching pain in the lower abdomen. A woman can feel the pressure. If the cork comes out in parts, the process resembles the mucous discharge at the beginning and at the end of menstruation. Just their consistency will be denser. If the cork came out simultaneously, its entire volume will be about two tablespoons.
With a normal pregnancy, the removal of the plug is not accompanied by bleeding. If the discharge reminds you of uterine bleeding, or after discharge of the stopper, discharge with an admixture of blood appears, you should call an ambulance.
How does the plug exit before delivery?
Since the fertilization of the egg and up to the 38th week, the woman is actively allocated progesterone, a hormone responsible for maintaining a pregnancy. While his level in the body is high, the cervix is tightly closed.
Stopping the production of progesterone leads to a change in the hormonal background. As a result, the cervix softens, and the canal opens slightly. Since the passage before delivery remains open, the mucous plug disappears.
If a woman has these genera second, the number of births will not affect the passage of the mucous plug. Just as with the first birth, the cork can go away immediately before birth, along with amniotic fluid, one hour before delivery or a week. The real precursors of the onset of labor are fights and the passage of amniotic fluid. If all the signs have coincided, then it's time to rush to the maternity hospital.