Fortunately, maybe, unfortunately, childbirth is not a theatrical performance, they do not go through the same scenario. This is so subtle and intimate process, the beginning of which every mother gives birth in its own way: someone starts contractions, someone has water, and someone has a separation of the mucous plug. And, despite the divergence of opinions about how soon you will meet with your baby in the latter case, the departure of the mucous plug in pregnant women is an excellent occasion to smile at the joy of the onset of the long-awaited encounter with the baby, to calm down, to put the bags prepared in the hospital and listen carefully to the new sensations of your body.
When is the mucous plug formed?
Formation of the cork occurs after the implantation of the fetal egg in the uterine cavity - by the end of the first month of pregnancy. During this period, the cervix swells, becomes softer, and the cervical canal is filled with thick mucus - a thick mucous stopper, which is designed to perform the function of protecting the uterus from all kinds of infections.
Rupture of mucous plug before delivery
As the term of childbirth approaches, when the cervix under the action of hormones responsible for the genital activity is smoothed and opened, the mucous plug is displaced and bursts outward as vaginal discharge. It has the appearance of a gel-like clot or a piece of dense adhesive mucus that is transparent, whitish-yellowish, pinkish, slightly reddish or brown (when the uterus is opened, the capillaries undergo bursting, which results in the specific staining of the mucus and blood veins appear). The volume of mucous plug, as a rule, is 1-2 tablespoons or 1.5 cm in diameter. Departure of mucus can be very noticeable at a time, but often there are situations where the mucous plug passes for 1-3 days parts in the form of "smearing", similar to the beginning or end of menstruation, excretions.
In addition to the natural process, the removal of the cork in later pregnancy is stimulated by vaginal examination of the uterus. After the separation of the cork, there may be aching pains in the lower abdomen similar to menstrual pain that can smoothly go into fights. In this case, we can talk about the beginning of labor. In order to verify this, you need to check the regularity of bouts and determine their duration. If the contractions are regular with an interval of 10 minutes, you can safely go to the hospital without panic. While the fights are not strong, it is better to prepare slowly for the maternity home, for example, to take a shower (not a bath, this is fraught with infection in the birth canal).
Departure of mucous plug in repetitive
Departure of the mucous plug in the re-occurring does not have any peculiarities. Like the "first-born", it can occur immediately before childbirth, a few days or weeks before, and maybe simultaneously with the discharge of amniotic fluid. The non-separation of the plug before delivery is normal and is not at all a sign of the absence of a barrier preventing the infection of the fetus in the uterus.
Some pregnant, especially primiparous, can take the outlet of the plug for the passage of water, which, unlike the mucous plug, is very liquid and normally perfectly clear. If nevertheless there is a situation of leakage of the amniotic fluid, then it is of a relatively constant nature and with an exercise stress on the press, for example, when coughing, the amount of secretions increases. In this case, to prevent possible complications of pregnancy,
Medical consultation is also inevitable if:
- the mucous plug at pregnancy has departed earlier, than for 2 weeks before put on ultrasonic term of labors;
- The volume of mucus is considerable, its consistence is liquid with bright scarlet impurities of blood. It should be remembered that the separation of the cork is not accompanied by bleeding.
So, we reserve ourselves with calmness, gaining strength - meeting with the most precious little man in the world is not far off! Optimism for you and easy delivery!