There are all sorts of weird and wonderful things going on down below throughout pregnancy, including the mucus plug. Lots of expecting mums assume losing part of your mucus plug means labour isn’t too far away. But that’s not always the case.

How often should I lose my mucus plug? I know it regenerates. And I’ve lost it a few times through the pregnancy. But for the last two weeks. I’ve lost it every day.

Daisy, Mum’s Grapevine Pregnancy Group Member

Midwife Edwina Sharrock explains that the mucus plug is like a cork at the base of the cervix. It helps to seal bub inside of the womb and acts as a physical barrier – stopping anything from going in or coming out of the cervix until your baby is ready to be born.

Now, just because you lose part of your mucus plug, it doesn’t necessarily mean labour is just around the corner. It could still be weeks away.

Can a mucus plug regenerate?

Interestingly, your mucus plug can regenerate. If bub isn’t ready to be born, the plug is able to ‘grow back’, but this doesn’t happen in every pregnancy. It generally happens if the plug was lost too early and labour wasn’t happening any time soon.

If you’re less than 36 weeks and you think you’ve lost your mucus plug, chat to your doctor or midwife. If they think it’s a little too early they may want to check you out. According to Midwifery Group losing your mucus plug without any contractions isn’t usually cause for alarm. If it’s after 37 weeks, feel free to let your health care provider know, but generally, it’s just a waiting game.

Read next …

Heading into the home stretch of pregnancy? Here are a few articles to put on your ‘must read’ list.