Mucus Plug?

As a nursing student hoping to work in LD and an expecting mommy myself I was wondering about the loss of the mucus plug? Do you guys ever see it? Does it in any way determine that labor is imminent? If it is lost early in pregnacy does it grow back or does it mean preterm labor? What does it have to do with dilation? I have read where some MD's deny that it even exists. What information can you give me?

Thanks:p

[L&D_RN_OH]

Originally posted by can'twait2B1

Do you guys ever see it? Does it in any way determine that labor is imminent? If it is lost early in pregnacy does it grow back or does it mean preterm labor? What does it have to do with dilation?

I have seen my own but I have not actually seen it in pts. It does not mean labor is imminent. Labor might begin that day, or may not begin for another 2 weeks. It is absolutely not an indicator of labor. Don't know about it growing back. The assumption is that as the cervix begins to efface and dilate, the plug falls out. Some women notice it, some don't. Sometimes it comes out in a big glob, sometimes it comes out little by little.

It doesn't mean much, if you ask me.

[SmilingBluEyes]

no clinical significance whatsoever.

best wishes.

[CarVsTree]

My CNM told me several times during my labor that I had an impressive mucous plug. It was quite large and was passing throughout my labor. I started to lose my plug several hours before labor started.

I have a friend that lost hers 2 months before she delivered. Don't know why an MD would say they don't exist.

[sanakruz, ADN]

Originally posted by suemom2kay

My CNM told me several times during my labor that I had an impressive mucous plug. It was quite large and was passing throughout my labor. I started to lose my plug several hours before labor started.

I have a friend that lost hers 2 months before she delivered. Don't know why an MD would say they don't exist.

This is not something one ususally gets to crow about!!!!

How funny:chuckle