"Decades ago, people used to think that if a woman passed her mucus plug, it meant that she would be in labor in a certain number of days. However, don't panic if it takes longer than that, as OB/GYN Jonathan Emery, MD, is quick to point out. Because it's frequently streaked with blood, it's often referred to as "the bloody show." Sometimes, this can signify that labor is only a couple of days away. But if your cervix begins to open (in preparation for giving birth), the mucus plug could start to come out. Its primary function is to serve as a barrier between your baby and any bacteria that may exist outside of your uterus.
Your mucus plug is simply a buildup of mucus located over the opening of your cervix.
Yes, the term itself sounds kinda gross, but the concept is pretty straightforward. If you're feeling a little anxious and wondering when the heck your baby is going to make its debut, here are a few possible ways your body might try to tell you. However, a few unexpected - or even bizarre - things can happen before going into labor that you may not be aware you should anticipate. (Remember on Friends when Rachel had them and thought her baby was coming?) Having your water break is another major labor sign that many people know to look out for. Braxton Hicks, for example, indicates that real contractions shouldn't be too far behind. Of course, some signs of labor are pretty commonly known and have been featured in various forms of pop culture. Luckily, there are a few milestones to be on the lookout for - including some weird things that happen before labor. They come when they are good and ready, which can make knowing when you're about to go into labor tricky to predict. So when do you know that glorious day is on the horizon? Sure, your doctor has provided you with an official due date, but babies don't adhere to any kind of organized schedule. You're also eager to meet the little bundle of joy that's been taking up residence inside of you for all this time. Between dietary and exercise restrictions to watching your body swell every which way, it's safe to say that you're ready to not be pregnant anymore by the time that ninth month rolls around. Considering that there are 52 weeks in a year, that's a long time to be growing a human inside of you. As you probably already know, a typical pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks.