The mucous ice cap is a substance produced by the body during the first months of pregnancy, which aims to prevent bacteria and other microorganisms from reaching the uterus and interfering with the baby’s development and the continuation of pregnancy. In fact, the tampon is present just after the vaginal canal, closing the cervix and remaining until the baby is ready to be born, in case of pregnancy without any risk.
In this way, the exit of the mucous cap marks the beginning of the end of gestation, at 37 weeks, showing that work can begin in days or weeks. The appearance of this cap almost always has a gelatinous consistency and the color can vary from transparent to reddish brown.
- After departure.
- It is common for mild cramps to begin and the stomach to harden throughout the day.
- But this is only one of the phases of the onset of labor.
- Discover the steps of the job.
When it comes out, the tampon usually comes off the entire uterus and looks like a whitish egg white, 4 to 5 centimeters in size. However, it can vary in shape, texture and color, even during pregnancy without any risk.
Variations that the mucous cap may have are
Having a very characteristic appearance, the release of the tampon is almost never confused with the rupture of the aminotic sac, as it does not generate pain and occurs about 3 weeks before the expected date of delivery.
Most commonly, the mucous plug will be released between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy and, in rarer cases, this can only occur during childbirth or when the baby is already born. See how much time passes between the tampon’s exit and the baby’s birth.
When the tampon comes out at an early stage of pregnancy, it’s usually not a sign of trouble, it can simply indicate that the body is still adapting to changes caused by pregnancy. Although the baby is more susceptible to infections during this period, the body quickly produces a new tampon to protect the uterus again.
So, if this problem doesn’t happen again, it shouldn’t be a cause for concern. However, it is always important to inform the obstetrician accompanying the pregnancy, so that it can be assessed if there is a risk of pregnancy.
If the mucous cap is removed after the second trimester of pregnancy, before 37 weeks, it is recommended to seek maternity, as there may be a risk of preterm birth.
After leaving the mucous layer, it is recommended to pay attention to other signs of preterm birth, such as breaking the water bag or frequent and regular contractions. Because the output of the mucous layer does not necessarily indicate that the work will begin, it may take up to 3 weeks for this to happen, but frequent and regular contractions do. Learn how to identify contractions that indicate the birth of your baby.