Mucous Plug

I think you should go to the hospital or the OBGyn right away to get checked. It could be nothing, but ask them to do a test called the fetal fiber nectan (sp?) test. If it comes back negative you are almost 90% guarenteed you will not go into preterm labor. But if it comes back positive you should be on bed rest and have the test redone every two weeks. I lost my mucus plug with my first at 33weeks. I was 50% effaced and 1cm dilated the next day when I went into L&D. The resident did the FFN test and it was positive, but they didn't tell me that I should be on bed rest or was at risk for preterm labor. I had the baby two days later.

When I interviewed new doctors before making the decission to have a second child every one of them was horrified with my story and told me I should have been on bed rest the second they found out that positive result.

I don't want to scare you, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Like so many of the other women have said it could be nothing and your mucus plug will regrow. But I'd rather have that reassurance from the OBGyn then just hope that is what will happen. Request the test. Good luck, I hope everything goes well for the rest of your pregnancy and that you have a happy healthy baby.

I agree with most of the postings below - get checked immediately by your doc or head to L&D. I lost my mucous plug at 30 weeks and was put on modified bed rest. At 32 weeks I had the fetal fibronectin test done and it came back postive. My water broke 5 days later. I would ask for the fetal fibronectin test to be done. The more information you have, the better. If it comes back negative then perhaps you will lose and re-create your plug as some women mentioned below and not be an issue. If it comes back positive, you can take steps, such as medicine and bed rest, to prolong your pregnancy. Good luck. And I too have a healthy, happy, growing 15 month old boy that is constantly assumed to be 2 years old because he is big and tall despite having been a preemie!

I lost mine at 29weeks and my doc wasn't at all concerned. I had no contractions, no problems and went to deliver nearly full term.

Hi K., some women can start losing theirs slowly a LONG time before labor so don't panic yet! If it wasn't followed quickly by either bloody show or your water breaking there isn't too much to worry about. Your mucuous plug can actually be shed and "regrow" (lovely, huh?) towards the end of pregnancy.

Hi, I don't know anything about losing it so early and what that means if anything. I lost mine 7 days before I went into labor - at 39+2. It was about 3 inches long & looked like a clear banana slug w/ lots of little red veins/capillaries in it. Hope that helps??? Best of luck to you.

It's about 2 inches long and light brown in color. Before you read on, remember, if you have any worries call your doctors office or go to the hospital. They are very accustomed to this and it's better to air on the side of caution then risk you and the baby.

Now, don't worry too much!! Of my three kids, the loss of the muccus plug never coincided with labor. My first was born at 33 weeks and I never lost the plug. I was on bedrest at 30 weeks due to premature labor with my second and never lost the plug. My third was term and the plug came out several weeks earlier. I spoke to both my doctor and brother (also an og/gyn) about this at the time and they both said that loosing the plug says nothing about going into labor. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!!

K.

My OBGYN tells me your mucus plug regenerates every 24 hours.. I lost mine for weeks on end, every day, and didn't have the baby until I was 7 days over due.. if your Dr. isn't to concerned about it you are fine

Its a lot, like maybe a cup or less of mucousy stuff, and a bit thicker then discharge. I hope that helps!

Hi K.,

I don't want to scare you... But please go to L&D right away. My first pregnancy I lost my mucus plug at 24 weeks (although I didn't realize it at the time). The next day my water broke. I won't go into the details here... But PLEASE go into the hospital!! It could be that everything is fine and you won't start labor anytime soon, but it is better to be on the safe side!

M.

I lost my mucous plug really early, 19 weeks with my last baby and 28 weeks with my second. Don't worry about it. Your body will actually remake your mucous plug. Drink plenty of water, 10-14 glasses, a day and monitor if you are having any contractions. As long as you are not having any contractions take a deep breath and don't worry about it. Let your doctor know if you have more than 4-6 contractions in an hour or if your water breaks.
Good luck with your pregnancy and enjoy every moment of it.

Hi, go to the hospital - NOW! I also won't go into details but the same thing happened to me at 31 weeks. Be prepared, you may need to stay in the hospital or on bed rest for the duration. If they send you home and your water breaks go to the hospital immediately. If everything is fine they'll send you home and you'll have peace of mind and you won't be so stressed out. I hope everything turns out ok.

Hi K.,
I don't want to belittle anyone else's experience, but please don't stress out about it. As mentioned previously, you can make and lose several mucous plugs throughout your pregnancy. Mucous plugs usually are just a mucousy blob about the size of a nickle or quarter, maybe slighty pink tinged. The things that you need to watch for are: any bleeding, your water breaking, continuous and rhythmic cramping/contractions. Of course there are instances where women do begin premature labor after losing a mucous plug, but it is much more common to lose one and go on to carry to full term. Just let your OB know, either with a phone call, or the next time you see him/her. Continue your life as usual and most of all, DON'T STRESS! Best of luck with your pregnancy and delivery. I'm so excited for you. Children are the most wonderful gift from God!

I also lost my mucus plug at around the same time as you. I think I was 26 weeks. Did you have a lot of bleeding. I went to the ER and had to stay in the hospital. I would go to either the hospital or to your doctors right away. I carried my baby to full term, but I also kept losing my mucus plug as it developed again. It was never really explained to me why I kept losing it. It was a a small ball size for me. Do you feel like you are in pre-labor at all? Do you have any contractions? If so, definitely go to your doctor.

I have no idea about mucous plugs but I went into preterm labor at 25 weeks. DO NOT PANIC, but as they say here, go to the hospital. It could be nothing, it could bring on labor. But there are many things that can be done to stop labor. Bed rest was not fun in my case, but I delivered on my due date and have a 7.5 year old healthy happy boy today. Don't panic, but please get checked.