What is a Mucus plug?
A mucus plug is an accumulation of secretions that block the opening of the uterus and is also known as cervical canal. The mucus accumulation in the early days of the pregnancy is very beneficial as it creates a protective barrier against the outside world and the various infections that might affect the infant. Thus the basic task of the Mucus Plug is the protection of the infant from any infection that might enter from the outside world in the form of bacteria. This plug is thrown out at the time of labor or birth to allow the cervix to open and allow the infant to pass through. The mucus plug generally is blood tinged or slightly pink in colour and is a little sticky or stringy.
Contacting the health care provider:
The contacting time to the health care provider depends upon many things. When the Mucus that is expelled seems to be normal in colour then there is no need to contact him immediately. He can be contacted in the next scheduled meeting. But, if the Mucus expelled is of bright red in colour and if the amount expelled is more than one ounce then the health care provider should be contacted immediately as it means that the expectant mother would be suffering from complications such as placental abruption or placenta previa. Thus, special care should be taken regarding when the health care provider should be contacted. He can even be contacted as and when necessary or for any information regarding the pregnancy.
Is labor soon to follow after the secretion of Mucus Plug?
It’s always a mystery regarding when the expectant mother will go into labor after the secretion of the mucus plug. All thou the secretion of the Mucus Plug is known as the first sign that the labor would come soon it is really not known when the labor will start. Sometimes it can start immediately after the Mucus secretion or in some cases the labor takes even weeks to start. In many cases as the expectant mother reaches the end of the pregnancy period the cervix begins to thin out and is continued with the secretion of the mucus plug. Some of the woman’s loose the plug in the 36th week of the pregnancy while other looses it at the time of the labor. It may even happen that the expectant won’t even notice the secretion of the plug as it gradually happens over a period of several weeks and they have already grown accustomed of the increased outflow the vaginal discharge. It is always advisable that the after the secretion of the mucus plug the expectant relaxes and calms down and let the nature take care of the happenings.
