Mucus Plug: What It Looks Like and What Losing It Means
The mucus plug is a thick, jelly-like plug of mucus that seals your cervix during pregnancy. When your cervix starts to soften and open, it comes away as a “show”: clear, white or pink-streaked, in one blob or several pieces. Labour may follow within hours or a few days. Call your midwife or maternity unit if it happens before 37 weeks, if you are losing more than a streak of blood, your waters break or your baby is moving less.
You go to the loo in late pregnancy and find a blob of thick, jelly-like mucus, maybe tinged pink. For most people that is the mucus plug, and it is one of the body’s early signs that it is getting ready for labour. Here is what it looks like, what it means for when your baby will arrive, and the few situations where you should pick up the phone straight away.
What is the mucus plug?
During pregnancy, a thick plug of mucus sits in your cervix, the neck of the womb, helping to seal it. As your cervix starts to soften and open in preparation for labour, the plug loosens and comes away. Midwives call this a “show”, so if you are asked “Have you had a show?”, this is what they mean.
A show means your cervix is starting to change. Labour may follow within hours, or it may be a few days away. Some people never notice a show at all, because the plug comes away gradually or during labour itself, and that is normal too.
What does a mucus plug look like?
- A thick, sticky, jelly-like mucus, a bit like the mucus from a heavy cold.
- Clear, white or creamy, often streaked with pink or a little brown, because it contains a small amount of blood.
- It may come away in one blob, roughly the size of a 50p coin, or in several smaller pieces over a day or two.
- You usually notice it in your underwear or on the toilet paper after a wee.
Is it a show, your waters or normal discharge?
Scroll sideways to see all columns
| What | What it is like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Show (mucus plug) | Thick, sticky jelly; clear, pink or brownish; once or in pieces | Normal from 37 weeks. Call if before 37 weeks or bleeding |
| Waters breaking | A gush or a steady trickle of watery fluid that you cannot stop, often clear or pale straw-coloured | Call your midwife or maternity unit |
| Pregnancy discharge | Thin, milky or clear, and often more of it than usual | Normal, unless it smells, itches, is green or you feel sore |
If you are not sure whether a wet feeling is your waters, put on a pad (not a tampon), and call your maternity unit. They would much rather check than have you guess.
When to call your midwife or maternity unit
Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away if:
- You lose your mucus plug before 37 weeks. It can be a sign of early labour, and they will want to check you.
- You are losing more than a streak of blood, or any fresh red bleeding.
- Your waters break, or you think they might have.
- Your baby is moving less than usual.
- You have regular contractions coming every 5 minutes or more often, contractions that last longer than 2 minutes, or 6 or more in 10 minutes.
Call 999 if you think your baby is coming now and you have a strong urge to push. If you cannot reach your midwife or maternity unit, call 111. Do not wait until morning with any of the urgent signs above, even in the middle of the night.
If you are 37 weeks or more
A show after 37 weeks is usually just a sign that your body is preparing. There is normally no need to go in because of the show alone. Keep an eye on the other signs of labour: tightenings that become regular and stronger, backache, your waters breaking, or an urge to go to the toilet as your baby’s head presses down.
The start of labour, called the latent phase, can take hours or even days, and you will usually be advised to stay at home while the contractions are still irregular. Our guide to the signs of early labour explains what to expect and what helps at home, and it is a good moment to check your birth plan and hospital bag.
Common questions and myths
- It does not mean you need to go to hospital, unless you are under 37 weeks or have one of the warning signs above.
- It does not mean labour will start today. It can be hours or days.
- A membrane sweep, usually offered after 39 weeks, can be followed by some cramping and a little bleeding. Mention it to your midwife if you are unsure what you are seeing.
Quick questions about the mucus plug
How long after losing your mucus plug does labour start?
It varies. For some people labour follows within hours; for others it is several days. Some never notice a show before labour starts.
What colour is a mucus plug?
Usually clear, white or creamy, often streaked with pink or a little brown blood. Fresh red bleeding is not normal and needs a call to your maternity unit.
Can you lose your mucus plug at 36 weeks?
Yes, but anything before 37 weeks should be reported to your maternity unit so they can check you are not in early labour.
Is losing the mucus plug painful?
No. You usually just notice it on the toilet paper or in your underwear. Any pain is from contractions, not the plug itself.
Do I need to go to hospital when I lose my mucus plug?
Not usually after 37 weeks. Call if it is before 37 weeks, if there is more than a streak of blood, if your waters break or your baby is moving less.
