Mucus plug

The mucus plug is a collection of mucus that sits in the cervix during pregnancy. As the cervix begins to change in preparation for birth, the plug can come away through the vagina. This is often called a “show”.

You might notice a sticky, jelly-like blob or several smaller pieces of mucus. It may be clear, pink or brownish and can contain a small amount of blood. Some people never notice their mucus plug coming away at all.

Losing your mucus plug can be a sign that your body is preparing for labour, but it does not tell you exactly when labour will start. Labour might follow soon, several days later or sometimes longer.

What is the mucus plug?

The cervix is the lower part of the womb that opens into the vagina. During pregnancy, mucus collects in the cervix and forms a plug.

As the cervix begins to soften, thin and open in preparation for labour, this mucus can loosen and pass out through the vagina.

The NHS refers to this as a “show”. It is one of several possible signs that labour may be approaching, alongside contractions, backache, an urge to go to the toilet and waters breaking.

What does a mucus plug look like?

There is no single appearance that everyone will see.

The NHS describes a show as sticky, jelly-like pink mucus. It may come away in one blob or in several pieces. Tommy’s notes that it can also appear pink-brown and may contain streaks of blood.

You might notice it in your underwear, on toilet paper after wiping or in the toilet. You may also lose it gradually and never realise it has happened.

A small amount of blood mixed into the mucus can occur with a show because the cervix is changing. Fresh or heavier vaginal bleeding should not simply be assumed to be part of the mucus plug and needs prompt assessment.

Is a mucus plug the same as a show?

The terms are closely related.

The mucus plug is the mucus present in the cervix during pregnancy. A show describes the mucus coming away as the cervix begins to change.

You may also hear people use terms such as “bloody show”, particularly when the mucus is streaked with a small amount of blood.

Does losing your mucus plug mean labour is starting?

It can be a sign that your body is preparing for labour, but it is not a reliable countdown to birth.

The NHS says labour may follow quickly after a show or may take a few days. Tommy’s notes that the mucus plug can sometimes come away even earlier.

This means that losing your mucus plug does not necessarily mean you need to go straight to your planned place of birth.

Look at the wider picture. Contractions that are becoming longer, stronger and more frequent, waters breaking and other signs may give more information about whether labour is beginning.

If you are unsure, your midwife or maternity unit can advise you.

Can the mucus plug come out in pieces?

Yes. The mucus plug does not have to come away all at once.

The NHS states that a show may appear as one blob or several pieces. Tommy’s similarly explains that it may come away whole or bit by bit.

You may therefore notice mucus on more than one occasion. Some people see a noticeable blob, while others experience smaller changes in discharge.

Mucus plug or normal pregnancy discharge?

Vaginal discharge commonly increases during pregnancy, which can make it difficult to know exactly what you are seeing.

Normal pregnancy discharge is generally thin, clear or milky white and should not smell unpleasant, according to the NHS. A show is typically thicker, sticky and jelly-like and may be pink or blood-streaked.

The difference is not always obvious. If your discharge changes significantly or you are unsure whether you have lost your mucus plug, contact your midwife or maternity unit for advice.

Mucus plug or waters breaking?

A mucus plug is thick and jelly-like. Amniotic fluid from your waters is much more watery and may appear as a slow trickle or a sudden gush that you cannot control.

If you think your waters may have broken, contact your midwife or maternity unit. The NHS advises contacting your maternity team urgently when your waters break.

Do not rely on appearance alone if you cannot tell whether you are experiencing discharge, a show or leaking amniotic fluid. Your maternity team can help you work out what to do next.

What if there is blood in the mucus plug?

A small amount of blood can be mixed with a show. The NHS explains that the mucus can look pink because it contains a small amount of blood.

However, vaginal bleeding can have many causes during pregnancy and should not automatically be attributed to a mucus plug.

If you are losing more blood than the small amount that can accompany a show, contact your maternity unit or midwife straight away. Seek advice if you are unsure about any bleeding during pregnancy.

What if you lose your mucus plug before 37 weeks?

If you think your mucus plug has come away before 37 weeks of pregnancy, contact your maternity unit or midwife.

Tommy’s advises getting checked because a show before 37 weeks can be one of the possible signs of premature labour. Other possible signs include regular contractions, period-like pains or pelvic pressure, unusual backache, vaginal bleeding and a gush or trickle of fluid that could be your waters.

Having one symptom does not tell you what is happening, so your maternity team should assess the situation.

Can you lose your mucus plug without noticing?

Yes. Not everyone notices a show.

The mucus may come away gradually, appear similar to ordinary discharge or simply pass when you use the toilet. The NHS also notes that sometimes there is no noticeable show before labour.

Not seeing a mucus plug does not mean that labour cannot begin.

What happens after you lose your mucus plug?

There may be nothing you need to do immediately if you are at term, otherwise well and have no concerning symptoms. Continue to pay attention to other possible signs of labour and follow any personalised advice your maternity team has given you.

Contact your midwife or maternity unit if you think labour is starting, if your waters break or if you are unsure about what you are experiencing.

Labour does not follow the same sequence for everyone. Some people notice a show first, while others experience contractions or their waters breaking without ever seeing their mucus plug.

When to get professional advice

Contact your midwife or maternity unit if you are unsure whether you have lost your mucus plug or if you are worried about a change in vaginal discharge.

Contact them urgently if you have vaginal bleeding, think your waters have broken, notice that your baby is moving less than usual, or are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you may be in labour.

If you think your mucus plug has come away before 37 weeks, contact your maternity unit or midwife for assessment rather than waiting to see whether other symptoms develop.

If you cannot contact your midwife or maternity unit and need urgent advice, the NHS advises calling NHS 111.

Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency or if you think your baby is coming immediately and you have a strong urge to push.

Your own maternity team may give you advice based on your pregnancy and circumstances. Follow any personalised instructions they have provided.