I Think I Lost My Mucus Plug, Should I Call the Doctor?

Updated on August 09, 2010
J.S. asks from Tulsa, OK
15 answers

Hello I am 37 weeks pregnant and on Wednesday I was dialated to a 1. I Thursday I had some strange discharge that was kinda snotty/slimy looking and today I had a big chunk come out. I remember losing mine with my first daughter but it was a few days before I was induced. Should I call my Doctor's office, or should I wait until my appointment on Wednesday?

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K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I lost mine 2 weeks before my first child was born. I called and they said it wasn't a big deal but that I'd be having him "soon". You can call and give them a heads up but unless you're having active labor with it they'll most likely say it's nothing to worry about.

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L.M.

answers from Dover on

If you have not had any problems with this pregnancy and are not high risk, just losing your mucus plug is not a cause for concern. It doesn't hurt to call your doctor just to give them an update (and then they will know you will probably be in labor soon) if you want but it is not necessary. The important thing is that you should not submerge yourself in water...no swimming pools, no baths (just showers). Doing so makes you/your baby susceptible to infection. By the way...no sex either.

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M.T.

answers from New York on

There's no need to contact your doctor's office. The dilation does not matter, you can be several cm dilated for weeks. At 37 weeks, if you were to go into labor, you are term, not premature. The mucous plug is not a sign of active labor and there is no action to be taken so there is no reason the doctor needs to know. The doctor needs to know if you are in active labor to the point that you need to come in (5/1/1 rule) or if there is anything suspicious/dangerous. The mucous plug is neither, it's a normal part of your body preparing for labor.
Good luck

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L.S.

answers from Dallas on

If your pregnancy has been normal up to this point, there is no need in calling your doctor. You should be going in every week now for exams so you can mention it to him then. It could still been a couple of weeks until you go into labor, you just never know! =) Good luck!!

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J.B.

answers from Birmingham on

I also lost my mucous plug 2 weeks before I went into labor with my first son. I wouldn't call the doctor unless you feel like you are hurting and in labor.
Good luck and God Bless!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

If you lose your mucous plug, I would tell your Doc.

I lost my mucous plug.... and then not long after that, I started to have contractions... and went into labor, and my daughter was born 1 week earlier than my due date.
Each woman is different....

good luck,
Susan

L.A.

answers from Austin on

It can't hurt, but as you said, you know it could be a few days till you actually go into labor.

Congratulations!

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L.K.

answers from Austin on

No, you don't need to call your doctor. I am a midwife. If you are not in labor within 24 hours the plug will actually regenerate itelf.

Lisa

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M.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

Well congratulations on your growing family... I want to tell you, no.... no need to call your doctor. I actually tell my girls ; "Your mucus plug is not a cork and is not holding your baby in." ;) You can loose your mucus plug up to a couple of months before delivery... Many women are not even aware they have lost it... If you wipe and are not getting any large amounts of bright red bleeding (steaks of red or pink does not count); then you have no worries. Actually if you are 37 weeks pregnant, you are term and even if you went into labor right this minute, there is nothing they would do to stop it... Your due date is really a due month not a due date.... So you are term and due.... Now, even though you may have lost your mucus plug you may still not deliver until after your due date; LOL.... So no need to call or make anyone aware. Just hope you are more than 1cm and at least 80% effaced on Wednesday so that you can get the party started in a week or two. Good Luck & Congrats!

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M.P.

answers from Texarkana on

No need to call the doctor about losing your plug; it happens anywhere from hours to two weeks before the onset of labor. It just means you are dilating some. It is a hint that your body is one step closer to going into labor. Good luck.

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M.O.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I lost my mucus plug at 33 wks. Called my doctor & told not to worry, just go on bed rest. They did sy that if any clear, sweet smelling fluid started to leak, go to the hospital ASAP! That is amniotic fliuid, & if you wait longer than 24 hours after amniotic fluid starts to leak out, it will cause an infection in the baby. I would call the doctor just to make them aware. Then be very contious of (not to be gross) your discharge. Congradulations on your baby!

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P.M.

answers from Birmingham on

Whenever you experience ANYTHING unusual during your pregnancy - call your DOCTOR'S office! Don't go to a "bulletin board" for advice. If you are bothered enough by it and are not "sure" what it is - call your Doctor.

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S.S.

answers from Lawton on

Unless you start going into hard labor, I would wait until Wednesday.

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K.G.

answers from San Diego on

I would say wait until Wednesday since it's not like your water breaking. But, if your unsure, go ahead and call. They won't mind, I'm sure they get that call alot. I hope you have a healthy birth with little pain.

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D.S.

answers from Jonesboro on

This happened to me as well with my second child. I called the OB unit at the hospital and they said it just meant that "it won't be long now". If you haven't gone into labor before your next doctors appt do mention to him that you have lost it. Congratulations and best of luck!

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