So towards the end of pregnancy, your body starts preparing for the baby's arrival. The uterus contracts more often and your belly becomes very hard. These hard bellows come and go, often lasting 30 seconds or so. This may last for several hours and then subside at rest. Generally, these hard bellies (also called pre contractions or exercise contractions) are not painful. These pre contractions cause the cervix to become more flexible and the baby to descend further.
As the cervix becomes more flexible, (part of) the mucous plug may also be released. The mucous plug closes off the cervix during pregnancy. If the mucous plug comes off, a little blood may be released with it, but this is not a problem or dangerous for the pregnancy. Losing the mucous plug also says nothing about the start of labour. This can take several days to weeks. So there is no need to call us if you have lost the mucous plug.
If you are worried about this or have any doubts about the amount of blood loss with the mucus, you are of course always welcome to call. If the blood loss is similar to a menstruation, you should call us immediately. We are happy to assess the amount of blood loss, so it is good to keep it then. Do not put underwear and clothing in the wash and should it end up in the toilet do not flush. Please put on white pants and put on maternity pads.
Some useful links:
- Birthplan useful icons from The positve birth book
- What do you need at home and in your hospital bag
Book tips:
- The positive birht book - Milli Hill
- Duik in je weeën - Carita Salomé
- Wonderbaarlijk - Joyce Schouten en Marijn van der Zwaard
- Positief over borstvoeding - Amy Brown
- Perfecte bevallingen bestaan niet - Diana Koster
- De vrije geboorte - Anna Myrte Korteweg
- Het vierde trimester - Kimberley Ann Johnson
- Mama'en - Nina Pierson
