The main symptom of the mucus plug falling out is the sudden appearance of blood tinged mucus. Some people experience labor symptoms, such as contractions, when this happens. It is important not to confuse the loss of the mucus plug with other types of bleeding.

Passing of the mucus plug When the cervix begins to open wider, the mucus is discharged into the vagina. It may be clear, pink, or slightly bloody. This is also known as “show” or “bloody show.” Labor may begin soon after the mucus plug is discharged or one to two weeks later.

What does the mucus plug look like? You’ll see it as a jelly-like substance, which might be clear or slightly pink or streaked with a small amount of blood. When you are losing the mucus plug, You’ll notice it on your underwear or on toilet paper after going to the loo.

Even though every woman loses their mucus plug at some point before delivery, it’s not always obvious. It’s not usually painful, either, although it is possible to experience some lower abdominal pain similar to cramping felt during menstruation.

The mucus plug can come loose several days or one or two weeks before labor starts, or even at the very onset of labor. If your pregnancy goes to full term, you will lose your mucus plug in the 9th month of pregnancy.

Active Labor This phase typically lasts from three to five hours and continues from the time your cervix is 3 cm until it is dilated to 7 cm. True labor produces signs you don’t want to ignore. Your contractions will last about 45 seconds to a minute and allow you only three to five minutes in between.

Your mucus plug will usually come out before your water breaks, though you can leak amniotic fluid through a tear — which doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve lost your mucus plug yet, as it prevents bacteria from traveling up to baby, not water from leaking out.

While losing your mucus plug usually doesn’t require treatment, you should go to the hospital once your water breaks or you begin experiencing regular contractions. These two symptoms usually indicate that labor is imminent.

The mucus plug is roughly the size of a quarter and made up of around 2 tablespoons of mucus. Its appearance can vary somewhat: It is generally a creamy to yellowish-white color and may sometimes be streaked with pink.

As your cervix opens up, your mucous plug may fall out. Losing your mucous plug is a good sign that labor is on its way. Though, it could be days or even weeks after you lose your mucous plug before labor actually starts. Many women do not lose their mucous plug at one time; instead, they lose it more gradually.

You should call your health care provider immediately if your discharge suddenly becomes bright red and the amount of discharge exceeds an ounce (about two tablespoons), indicating the possibility of a complication such as a placenta previa or placental abruption.

You can lose a piece or part of your mucus plug at any time during your pregnancy, but it may regenerate. So, before getting too worried that yours has dislodged, consider that what you’re seeing may be other discharge.

The fact of the matter is, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between “early pregnancy” cervical mucus and regular “just before your period comes” cervical mucus. You may confuse semen with cervical mucus. A day or two after sexual intercourse, you may confuse semen with wet cervical mucus.

“Loss of the mucus plug often happens when the cervix has opened and loosened a little bit,” says Mallon. “The body can regenerate the mucus, so you don’t need to worry about infection if you lost it after 37 weeks.

Dilating to 1 centimeter does not necessarily mean that labor is only hours or days away. The cervix can be dilated to 1 centimeter for weeks before the beginning of labor. This extent of dilation only signals that the cervix is starting to prepare for labor.