Strong, regular contractions may mean it’s time to head to the hospitalĪs you can see, losing your mucus plug isn’t the only labor symptom. If you think you may be experiencing contractions, time how far apart they are and if they are at a consistent time apart. It’s possible to be a few centimeters dilated for several weeks before labor occurs, though.Ĭontractions are your body’s way of thinning and dilating the cervix, which can progress your baby forward. Typically, a cervix that is 10 centimeters dilated means you are ready to give birth. Dilation is a measurement of how open your cervix is. As your due date nears, your doctor will likely conduct a cervical check to estimate how effaced your cervix is.Įffacement and dilation are two major signs that labor is impending. The cervix must become thinner and stretched to allow your baby to pass through the birth canal. These contractions will become stronger, longer-lasting, and more frequent as the cervix dilates and softens in preparation for childbirth. Once your water breaks, you can expect to experience contractions, if you haven’t already. The fluid may be released in a tremendous rush, or it may come out in a slow, watery trickle. Some women may not even notice if they have or haven’t passed their mucus plug.Īlso known as your “water breaking,” this occurs when the amniotic sac surrounding your baby tears and releases fluid. The symptoms you’ve lost your mucus plug are listed below. Lightening does indicate that your baby is getting into a position that will support labor. This effect makes it easier for you to breathe, but does cause your baby to press on your bladder more.

Lightening occurs when your baby starts to drop lower into your pelvis. Symptoms and signs of labor include the following. If you lose your mucus plus and experience the following symptoms of labor, you may be closer to delivering your baby. But you could lose your mucus plug, and still carry your baby for several more weeks. You might experience several symptoms that labor is impending.

Parts of mucus plug pregnancy