Experienced mothers (those who know firsthand about pregnancy and childbirth) know with skill that they can be judged by the date of cork discharge that labor will begin soon (in the coming days). And those women who are waiting for the first-born do not know anything about this and, sometimes, do not even notice when the cork has come off. We offer to replenish your luggage of knowledge and to understand what is a cork during pregnancy.
What is mucous plug in pregnancy?
With the onset of pregnancy, the woman’s body is rebuilt from the very first days. The main task of the body is not only to create favorable conditions for the normal course of pregnancy and embryo development, but also to take care of the safety of the fetus. The cells of the cervix produce mucus, which becomes thicker with each new day of pregnancy. Over time, mucus will turn into a dense formation, the main task of which is to close the entrance to the cervix and prevent infection and pathogens from getting inside. This is a kind of protection for the fetus.
Given that the entrance to the uterus is tightly closed by a mucous plug, the baby can not go outside. But with Mother Nature, everything is interconnected and thought out. Shortly before the date of birth, the cork leaves, and the exit for the baby opens.
When does the cork come off?
Many women who have given birth claim that childbirth will begin very soon after the cork has passed. However, this statement is not entirely true. The fact is that the body of every woman is unique. Some give birth in the first few days after the release of the mucous clot, while others wait a week after the cork has passed. When to give birth - it becomes for them the most pressing daily issue. In a word, it is impossible to mark the exact date of birth. At the same time, the exit of the mucous plug indicates that the pregnancy is about to end, and the mother will see her baby.
What does a mucus plug look like?
Nulliparous women worry about the fact that they may miss an important point and not notice how the cork has receded. However, you should not worry about this for two reasons. First, in any case, delivery will occur only in due time, regardless of whether the plug is jammed or not. And secondly, if the cork comes out, it's hard not to notice it.
What does a cork look like? This is a dense clot of white-yellow mucus, sometimes with a slight admixture of blood. In some ways, the mucus resembles a jelly mass. Do not be scared if the cork is not white mucous, but transparent and liquid. Also, the mucous clot can exit immediately at a time entirely or leak out partially. In some women, the cork leaves with the amniotic fluid.
Usually, if the cork is removed, the woman hears a pop. More often this happens immediately after the woman got out of bed in the morning after sleep. Also, everything can happen at night while sleeping. Then to find out that the exit for the baby is open, it will turn out during the morning toilet or in the footsteps on the sheet or underwear.
The cork has receded. What to do?
If you notice that the cork has receded, the first thing a pregnant woman should not do is get nervous. The nervous state at the end of the third trimester adversely affects both mom and the unborn baby. The process is physiological and absolutely normal. After the release of mucus, there should be no bleeding, no pulling pains, or cramps in the abdomen. If something warns you, and you notice a sharp deterioration in your general condition, then you should immediately see a doctor. Especially scary if uterine bleeding has begun.
Also remember that cork waste (if the general condition is satisfactory and nothing worries) is not a reason to rush to the hospital. Even it’s too early to pack. It is possible, of course, that childbirth will begin in the near future. But more often women give birth after a few weeks.
Now you know what cork waste is and how to recognize it. Easy childbirth!