Mucus plug pictures: 11 real photos of mucus plugs

**Fair warning ahead of this article: there are some very graphic photos of mucus plugs included. 

Late in pregnancy, a lot of strange things start to happen – acid reflux, night sweats, and practice contractions called Braxton Hicks, to name a few. One thing in particular has BabyCenter Community moms very curious – and that’s their mucus plug. On a Community thread, one mom asks “What does a mucus plug look like?” and two pages of answers reveal various pictures and responses from other pregnant women vividly describing just that. 

So what is a mucus plug exactly? Your mucus plug is a clump of thick, gooey mucus in the cervical canal that helps protect your uterus from certain infections during pregnancy. If you lose it (aka it comes out and you notice it in your undies), it means your cervix is dilating or opening up and preparing for birth. While not all women will lose their mucus plug, if you do, it’s probably a sign that labor is near (it could be a few hours – or a few days). If you’re curious about what your mucus plug really looks like and want to be ready in case, take a scroll through these real-life photos (but be forewarned: doing so is not for the faint of heart).

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Ready?

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Are you sure?

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Here goes:

Note: These photos are meant as a guide. If you have questions about any aspect of your pregnancy or labor, please consult your personal healthcare provider.

Images courtesy BabyCentre UKOpens a new window