What is this plug everyone is talking about...?

[K8eee]

Exactly as it says above! I'm just a bit confused as to what the mucus plug is that everyone keeps harping on about

It's, errrr, just a it says, a plug of mucus - that forms a seal across the cervix during pregnancy. It comes away just before or during labour and looks like stringy snot. Sorry, I know that's a horrible image but that's what it looks like.

It's like a cork. Can look different but is usually like a snotty/grotty lump not a pretty thing to look at.
Can come away way before labour, but is usually a sign somethings happening.

What Lilly said, and it can be a bit bloody when it comes away.
Your bodies way of making sure no other sperm impregnate you whilst already pregnant!

It is a plug of thick mucus that is in the neck of your cervix to seal it when you are pregnant. Sometimes it comes out shortly before you go into labour - then it's referred to as a "show" and can be a bit bloody. Some women don't notice it coming away.

HTH.

Mmmmm nice! But like a thick egg white then. So I should be worried if anything thick and snot like comes away anytime from now until I'm due? Does it restrict the flow of cm during sex too?

It is sometimes called a show too, and can start coming away a few days before birth, although with ds2 I didn't have one ( or if I did, I didn't notice it pass)my waters went with no warning whatsoever!

For a real treat you can google image search "mucus plug" to see what it looks like!

OP - I never had a 'mucus' plug in my labour, I had (when I was 2-3 cm dilated and having raging contractions!) a bloody show, although I was completely unprepared for the monstrosity that it was.

I sent my husband to get a midwife as I thought it was my placenta. Alas it was my show but honestly it was the size of my hand and pretty awful. My DH keeps telling me it stunk 2 years on.

Way TMI in that post.....

It seals baby away helping to prevent infection and the like.
You'll probably notice increased and differing textures of discharge during pregnancy. just another thing to look forward to!
Losing your plug can happen up to a couple of weeks before labour I believe.