Mucus Plug Research Paper

Discharging of the Mucus Plug
Many aspects of pregnancy can cause alarm to expectant mothers. One of the most alarming situation one might deal with is the discharging of the mucus plug.
What is the Mucus Plug?
The cervix produces a special mucus referred to as cervical mucus. Cervical mucus is a natural protection that a women’s body produces. The mucus is secreted or discharged during different parts of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The mucus is secreted from the cervix to protect the reproductive organs from opportunistic pathogens and invading bacteria and/or pathogens. Additionally, when ovulation has occurred, the mucus evolves and acts as a safe passage way for sperm to travel. This is why many women experience an increase in mucus …show more content…
The purpose of the mucus plug is to block the opening of the uterus, the cervix, so that bacteria is unable to reach the fetus. The mucus plug is essentially a cork for the mother’s uterus.
Discharging of the Mucus Plug
The discharging of the mucus plug is one of the universal signs that labor is close at hand. While the pregnancy progresses, the mucus plug is cloudy, sticky, and thick. It is essentially there to prevent anything potentially harmful from reaching the uterus. It’s a natural protection that the body produces. Towards the end of pregnancy, the cervix starts to thin in preparation for the upcoming birth. Blood is often released during this time, which causes the mucus plug to start thinning and be tinged with blood.
The closer an expectant mother comes to labor the thinner the cervix becomes and the mucus plug starts to discharge once dilation has occurred. The plug might come out all at once or as a slow progression that lasts several days. The sight of the mucus plug can be alarming, especially for first time mothers. The plug can come out as a hard and bloody plug, or it can come out as a smear of mucus over a few days. Every woman is different and there isn’t a right or wrong way for the mucus plug to