Mucous Plug vs Meconium

M., meconium is the tar like substance that is the babies first poop, it is black and very thick, ive seen it only after child birth so i am not sure what it could look like mixed with amniotic fluids, your best bet is to call your dr and ask them, you are probably seeing the mucus plug from you , if the baby did poop in there, they would be taking it out of you as we speak, any way have a great day and a wonderful deivery, D. s

You have an excellent question! I am an L&D nurse, so I have a little bit of input for you. It sounds like you probably are passing your mucous plug. The only way that it could be meconium is if your membranes are already ruptured. Meconium comes directly from your babies bowels and there is no way that it could be coming out of you, unless there was an outlet to the outside world, hence ruptured membranes. So, if you are not leaking a lot of fluid or had a large gush of fluid, you can be assured that this is not meconium. Also, meconium is black and when diluted in amniotic fluid, it looks green. It sounds like the mucous you are passing (brown tinged), has "old" blood in it. That is all normal. However, if it changes to red or bright red, be sure to call your doctor. Also, remember that passing your mucous plug does not mean that you are going into labor. It just means that your body is preparing for labor. I hope that I have helped a little... Congratulations on your new little one!

Meconium in utro is green. Like pea soup. If you see green, this also means your water is broken. Meconium would only come out if your water is broke. Losing your mucous plug will happen super soon if your having this brownish reddish color now. Your plug will probably come out while going potty. And its a glob of "slimmy" reddish/pinkish/white color.

You will not see meconium until after your water breaks. It absolutely is not meconium. Stop worrying and enjoy your last few days of no screaming, diaper changes, sleep deprivation and pukey clothes.

(and losing your entire mucous plug will not make your water break, like the previous commentor suggested. I have gotten all they way to a 10 before they forcibly broke my water as the baby was coming out with the bag of waters attached.)

With my second, I told my doctor that my mucous plug was coming out and he told me that the "Mucous Plug is a myth." Well, the "Myth" fell out, and my water broke the next day. No, the doctor did not even look at me during my appointment, or he probably would have noticed that I was ready to go anytime. You are close, and the second is quicker than the first, so pack your bag if you haven't done so already. You are good to go!

What you are describing sounds like the mucous plug. Meconium is actually stool that the baby has passed if in distress & would be contained (if even there) in the amniotic fluid. Since it doesn't sound like your "water has broken", it would not be meconium. Also, make sure the baby is still active (kicking, moving, etc). As long as baby is moving, you should be in good shape. If you are in doubt, you could always call you Drs office & have them check it out for peace of mind. Good luck.

I lost my plug and had my son the next day so get ready! To be totally gross, the plug is like a string of snot. It comes, is wiped away and is gone. At least it wasn't a steady thing for me. It sounds like you are having normal increased discharge, getting "wet" and preparing for a baby to come. Congratulations!!!

Dito on what Nicole said. You would only see the meconium if your waters broke. And it's not gelatinous it's thick black and tar like. So I'd say it's the mucus plug.

I agree with the others. With my first birth it was present when they broke my water. No mistaking it for anything else. Try not to worry and good luck!

Meconium is sort of green in color (so I've been told) and you're right, usually occurs during birth. It's when the baby poops in the fetal sack usually during labor or stress.

Meconium is the baby's first stool...I don't believe there is any way that it would come out like that. It would be in your amnotic fluid and would only come out when your waters break.

It does sound like you are losing your mucous plug...which you can lose many times. It regenerates itself.

Hope that helps a little.
Congrats on #2 and enjoy these last few weeks with your little one before she becomes a big sister

M.,
Chances are this is just your mucous plug. It is very common to have some brownish coloring. This is usually old blood coming from the cervical area. As for your concern that it might be meconium...if your water bag has not broken, then you can relax. The meconium is stool from the baby (kind of tar like) and would not be present unless the amniotic sac has been ruptured and the baby has some form of stress
in-utero. If you have any concern, it is always better to error on the safe side and check with you doctor. Good luck to you on your new addition.

if you are the least bit concerned call your dr!

Dear M.,

I am not sure if you are asking how to tell the difference? In which case, neonatal meconium is by nature very tarry & often green /black-brown in color. I would iomagine that what you are experienciong is your mucous plug. Infants will stool meconium as a result of severe stress in-utero, & almost always during labor if they are very stressed. At the earliest- it would would happen WHILE you were in labor. Hopefully, it wouldn't even happen then. I have actually never heard of meconium being a consideration before labor / delivery, your 'water' would have to break first- in order to be able to even know it was there.

If your mucous plug completely "fell out" you would know it - water would be gushing down your leg or soaking your underwear. A little mucuous is normal. I can not imagine that the meconium would make its way through before all of this has let loose... although, I am not a doctor. Did you ask your Doc if this could possibly be an option? It would probably put your mind at ease if you were to call your nurse and just ask.

Good morning, M.! This is a question for your doctor, but I would like to assure you, having an encounter with a "meconium situation" myself, that is not meconium and is evidence of the mucous plug coming out. My first delivery was difficult and the meconium came out AFTER my water broke. Meconium is the baby's stool and usually occurs because the baby is having difficulty. This is a problem because you don't want the meconium to be inhaled into the baby's lungs. Big problem! Anyway, you can be sure it's not meconium unless your water has broken and your baby is in fetal distress. It doesn't sound like either has happened. I'd say call your doctor for reassurance. Good luck! Have a beautiful day!

I'm sure it is just your mucous plug. I just dealt with the same thing about 3 months ago. It does have some brownish color to it, but it was mostly mucousy. That probably means the baby is coming soon!

Meconium can't pass through the water bag. So, unless your water has broken (then you'd be in labor), it's just your mucus plug. Good Luck with #2! Speedy delivery to you!