Difference Between Mucus Plug and Water Breaking

Many a first-time mom has confused these two, especially since a ton of discharge can follow the loss of your mucus plug. Think of it this way: Mucus is gooey; water is liquid. So if it's thick, it's not your water. When your water breaks, it will be like…

Is losing mucus plug same as water breaking?

Does your mucus plug come out before or after your water breaks? Usually before, though you can leak amniotic fluid through a tear — which doesn't necessarily mean you've lost your mucus plug yet, as it prevents bacteria from traveling up to baby, not water from leaking out.

How long after mucus plug does water break?

As the cervix begins to open wider in preparation for delivery, the mucus plug is discharged into the vagina. The time between losing the mucus plug and going into labor varies. Some women who pass a noticeable mucus plug go into labor within hours or days, while others may not go into labor for a few weeks.

How do I know if it's amniotic fluid or discharge?

Signs of leaking amniotic fluid

Leaking amniotic fluid might feel like a gush of warm fluid or a slow trickle from the vagina. It will usually be clear and odorless but may sometimes contain traces of blood or mucus. If the liquid is amniotic fluid, it is unlikely to stop leaking.

How do you tell if your water broke or you peed?

If this nifty exercise doesn't stop the trickle that you feel, you're probably dealing with broken water. Try a wait-and-see approach for a few hours. If the gush is a one-time event it's probably urine or vaginal discharge. If you continue to feed fluid leaking it's more likely to be amniotic fluid.

What to do after mucus plug comes out?

If you're full term when the mucus plug comes out, wait until you're getting regular and frequent contractions before calling your midwife. If labour doesn't start, you should mention it at your next appointment or assessment.

When does your water usually break?

In most cases, the sac will break when the woman is at full term (39 weeks to 40 weeks and 6 days). Sometimes, however, the water may break before this. This is known as preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM).

Can mucus plug come out slowly?

The mucus plug might come out while using the bathroom, or you may simply notice it in your underwear. It can also be released slowly over several days. Mallon notes that not every women will notice when their mucus plug comes out, and that's perfectly fine, too.

Can Labor start before losing mucus plug?

Losing the mucus plug is your body's way of getting ready to deliver. It's possible to lose the mucus plug weeks before going into labor, but it often happens days or hours before labor.

How long can you be 3cm dilated?

Based on the timing of your contractions and other signs, your doctor or midwife will tell you to head to the hospital for active labor. This phase typically lasts from three to five hours and continues from the time your cervix is 3 cm until it is dilated to 7 cm. True labor produces signs you don't want to ignore.

Can your water break and you not know?

Most often, your water won't break until you're well into labor (it happens prior to the onset of labor only about 8% to 10% of the time). 1 Still, the fear is real that you won't know the difference between amniotic fluid and urine.

What kind of discharge do you have before labor?

In the last days before labor, you'll likely see increased and/or thickened vaginal discharge. This thickened, pinkish discharge is called bloody show and is a good indication that labor is imminent. But without contractions or dilation of 3 to 4 centimeters, labor could still be a few days away.

What color is amniotic fluid on toilet paper?

Place a sanitary pad or panty liner in your underwear and examine the fluid that is on the pad after 30 minutes to an hour. If the fluid is yellow in color, it's likely urine. If it isn't, the fluid could be amniotic fluid.

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