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Mucus plug loss at 20 weeks?

Last post 01-20-2010 6:34 AM by RobsGirl. 4 replies.
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  • 01-12-2010 3:43 AM

    Mucus plug loss at 20 weeks?

    I've noticed a few times now that amid my incredibly copious vaginal discharge there are sometimes chunks of what looks like mucus plug.  Thick, gelatinous, stringy and chunky.  I only saw a little of my plug last time, after a stretch and sweep, so i've not seen a "normal" bloody show, but this looks like thick snot you might expel from your nose.

    I'm having no painful contractions, no cramping, no pains, just Braxton Hicks which are not getting more or less frequent.  The baby is moving tons and seems fine.  The mucus is yellowish, NOT blood stained at all (not even with brownish blood).  I notice it most after sex and/or after a bowel movement (the biggest chunk, yesterday, was about the size of a piece of popped corn and came out after a large bowel movement the morning after sex) but sometimes i see little bits (which are small enough that they might be "normal" cervical mucus, it's hard to tell) other times too.  I've seen it maybe 3 or 4 times in the last couple of months, i'm 20 weeks.

    This is my 2nd kid.  I felt my cervix yesterday and a few weeks ago, both times it is squishy and soft and will admit a fingertip (though i didn't push my finger right into it).  It isn't long, but it wasn't long weeks back and it's not like it's shorter now than it was.  I can remember it feeling a good bit shorter at the end with DD (when my whole cervix felt wide and squishy and not at all long to me) and being told it was about 25% effaced, so i think i am probably not effaced at all.

    Since DD's birth my cervix has never really been closed, it was always open enough to admit a fingertip, the external os is much floppier than it was before i had DD.

    So i guess i'm wondering if this is all ok?  Or should i call my midwife?  My instincts are kind of telling me that it's just that my cervix is more soggy than last time so little bits of plug escape when i strain or when DH's fluids soften it even more for a spell, everything feels fine.  Especially since the mucus is never bloody - i imagine it's just the bits which aren't really "stuck" to anything inside can break off, is that possible?  But then perhaps this is totally abnormal and actually i should be rushing to hospital?

    I did find one identical question but from a mother of 6 on the internet and the HCP/CNM person she asked said it was normal for multipara's and grand multipara's to sometimes see a bit of plug-mucus earlier on and that it was meaningless unless you also got contractions etc.  But i trust you ladies way more than i trust google, so i thought i'd ask here.

    Me 31, DH 40, DD 2006, DD 2010
  • 01-12-2010 1:21 PM In reply to

    • RobsGirl
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-04-2009
    • Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
    • Posts 360

    Re: Mucus plug loss at 20 weeks?

    Hey Bec,

    I'm guessing you should call your midwife and ask.  I don't think you should be running off to the hospital (unless she thinks you should) because all your other symptoms sound normal for you.  I think its very possible that you're experiencing a normal variation of increased mucus discharge during pregnancy.  I've had many variations myself similar to what and when you described, in quantity and consistency, and even color (I think I've had some of the gummy stuff, too, weeks ago, seemingly too early to be my plug, but made me wonder).  So I would ask just to get some feedback from your caregiver and put your mind at ease. 

    Take care.

    RobsGirl, 30
    Wife of one fabulous guy (33)
    Mommy of 3 awesome boys, ages 10, 7, and 3, and a precious 19 month old daughter.


  • 01-12-2010 2:57 PM In reply to

    Re: Mucus plug loss at 20 weeks?

    It's always a good idea to check in with someone if you're concerned.  This way you can rest easy and not worry. Yes

    Susan
    Moderator

    I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult. --E.B. White
  • 01-20-2010 4:49 AM In reply to

    Re: Mucus plug loss at 20 weeks?

    I am back to update in case any other woman goes through this.

    I am embarrassed to say....it seems it was normal pregnancy mucus (which i didn't realise could be snotty/fertile-looking) made thicker by my being dehydrated!  I usually have very watery CM when pregnant, or i did with DD anyway, so i didn't realise any of this.  Anyway i also learned that even if it HAD been mucus plug it's not uncommon to shed a bit if it's a 2nd or subsequent baby because the cervix can be a bit more open (as i thought) and that if you are well-hydrated, well rested and well fed it regenerates without issue.

    Needless to say i haven't seen any since (been much more careful about drinking enough) and my baby is growing beautifully and started giving DH the big clearly-a-baby-no-question kicks the last few days.  Thanks for checking in those who did, i really love this place! Smile

    Me 31, DH 40, DD 2006, DD 2010
  • 01-20-2010 6:34 AM In reply to

    • RobsGirl
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-04-2009
    • Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
    • Posts 360

    Re: Mucus plug loss at 20 weeks?

    Don't be embarrassed!  I'm glad you got it figured out.

    RobsGirl, 30
    Wife of one fabulous guy (33)
    Mommy of 3 awesome boys, ages 10, 7, and 3, and a precious 19 month old daughter.


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