This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Cervical mucus plugs are waste products with very special properties that help keep the cervix closed during a woman's pregnancy. Understanding when cervical mucus plug forms as well as mucus plug shedding is a remarkable sign of labor will help timely detect abnormal changes during pregnancy and childbirth. , from which there will be the most suitable treatment.
1. When does the cervical mucus plug form?
Cervical mucus plug is defined as a collection consisting of a lot of thick and viscous waste that plays a very important role in pregnancy, which is to prevent the cervix from opening, protecting the fetus in the uterine cavity. during pregnancy. Cervical mucus plugs are also considered as thick uterine linings that help protect the fetus as well as the amniotic membrane in the mother's uterine cavity. Cervical mucus plug is made up of antibacterial proteins, hormones such as Estrogen and Progesterone along with the main peptides which are Amino Acid chains, forming a block and formed at conception to protect pregnancy. Be safe. The cervical mucus plug works to prevent harmful bacteria from entering the uterine cavity, causing danger to the fetus, typically an infection process. When the mother's body reaches the stage of labor and is about to give birth, especially in the third trimester, the last period of pregnancy, the phenomenon of cervical mucus plug will occur, which is a sign of transition. clear stomach. However, there are also some pregnant women who experience the shedding of the mucus plug before this time, most likely to face premature birth or some unusual medical problems in the cervix.
2. Peel off mucus plug
The most obvious clinical sign of cervical mucus plug is mucus discharge. However, because during pregnancy, a woman's vagina often secretes a white mucus that is easy to confuse with the mucus in the cervical mucus plug, so there should be some ways to distinguish clearly. clear on the nature of vaginal discharge in cases where the cervical mucus plug has not been removed and the mucus plug has been removed. Specifically:
Not yet shed the mucus plug: Vaginal discharge is often less and has a change corresponding to the changes of hormone levels in the mother's body during pregnancy. The color of vaginal discharge when the cervical mucus plug has not been removed is usually white and transparent, especially this fluid is often liquid and has a slightly sticky feeling. Cervical mucus plug: Vaginal discharge is very large, the color of the discharge also changes from clear to yellow, green, sometimes pale pink and mixed with a little blood. The consistency of vaginal discharge in the presence of cervical mucus plug is usually thicker and more gelatinous, may look like discharge from the nose when nasal congestion or look like jelly. In some cases of total mucus plug detachment, the cervical mucus plug can be directly observed with a length of about 4cm - 5cm. One issue to be aware of with the characteristics of vaginal discharge when pregnant women have mucus plug is that if the vaginal discharge is yellow or green, accompanied by an unusual unpleasant odor, it can be thought of as an infection. An infection has occurred inside the mother's body. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to these cases and monitor the accompanying symptoms of infection such as itching around the vagina, pain when urinating..., then take the patient to a medical facility. as soon as possible for timely examination and treatment.
The cervical mucus plug can be partially or completely shed and regenerated. Usually, cervical mucus plug shedding will occur by the end of the third trimester, but it can also happen earlier for reasons such as a woman's cervix is not fully developed, making it easier for the mucus plug to shed. or women experiencing preterm labor. For the condition of the mother's cervix is not intact, the mucus plug usually occurs when the fetus is 14 - 20 weeks old with symptoms of vaginal discharge accompanied by abdominal pain in the lower abdomen and signs of uterine contractions. bow. If the mother has mucus plug and back pain or mucus plug and dull abdominal pain accompanied by amniotic fluid leakage before the 37th week of pregnancy, she should pay attention to the status of early labor, to avoid confusion with the mother. miscarriage status. If a miscarriage occurs, besides the vaginal discharge with blood streaks, the amount of bleeding is also more than usual, so the pregnant woman should pay attention to observing the vaginal discharge, the amount of bleeding as well as the state of her health. Be very careful to be able to report to the treating doctor as soon as possible, thereby having a direction for timely diagnosis and treatment.
3. Signs of labor
Cervical mucus plug detachment is explained by the fact that a woman's cervix becomes softer, thinner and wider in time to adapt to the impending birth process in the future, so the cervical mucus plug cannot be held firmly in place again, but will fall off or be discharged. For some women, after a vaginal examination, the cervical mucus plug will also be at risk of falling off, or during sexual intercourse is also a cause of cervical mucus plug. supply occurs. Therefore, cervical mucus detachment is not necessarily the only sign of labor, but cervical mucus detachment will reflect changes in a woman's body and cervix, and possibly changes. This change is to prepare for an impending labor so that the cervix is dilated and birth will proceed. It is for this reason that the time of cervical mucus shedding is extremely important to judge whether labor is about to take place or not as well as take the next steps, namely:
If the cervical mucus plug is removed before the 36th week of pregnancy: Need to go to a medical facility to check the health status of the mother and fetus, as well as monitor the condition of the mucus plug in the next time. If the cervical mucus plug is removed after the 37th week of pregnancy: If it is simply a condition of the mucus plug without other symptoms, the pregnant woman needs to monitor the impending labor, the Signs of labor need to be noted later such as uterine contractions occurring with more frequency, vaginal secretions are also increased more ..., so it is necessary to notify the treating doctor for advice and follow-up. Watch more closely during this time. The cervical mucus plug is an extremely important structure and especially for pregnant women because it helps to protect as well as prevent the attack of foreign bacteria on the fetus and the amniotic membrane inside the uterus. bow. The phenomenon of mucus plug detachment can be one of the signs of labor, but it can also be caused by a number of other reasons, so the pregnant woman needs to monitor and report immediately to the doctor for possible treatment. promptly deal with this situation.
The Obstetrics Department of Vinmec International General Hospital has been highly appreciated by customers for its professional quality as well as professional care services.
Comprehensive mother and baby care : Comprehensive mother & baby health care, from before - during - after pregnancy fully; prenatal and postnatal screening for infants and mothers; heel test; maternity package ; pre-marital examination; prenatal care and counseling; cord blood storage. Children receive the best care from birth: right after the baby is born, the baby is skin-to-skin with the mother, the umbilical cord is cut by the father, and is monitored and cared for in the special care room for a few days. 12 hours for early detection of transient respiratory failure or other medical conditions. The baby is fully vaccinated. The birth team not only has obstetricians and midwives, but also has pediatricians on duty, monitoring to handle problems arising for the baby during the birth process. Modern and advanced techniques: Painless delivery by special anesthetic techniques. Treatment and care for extremely preterm infants < 27 weeks - Vinmec is the only hospital in the North that can save the lives of babies born 24 weeks premature. Outstanding equipment: The room is designed according to international hotel standards, with modern equipment such as: specialized transport incubators with ventilators, blood suction, pressure controlled oxygen tubes; deafness screening machine, brain cooling machine to treat asphyxia; CFM brain function monitor; Monitor 5 parameters; Resuscitation bed with built-in heating lamp.
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