Mucus Plug....may sound stupid...

Okay...so I thought I really knew the difference between the mucus plug and normal discharge.......but maybe I don't and hopefully someone can try to clarify this for me. Okay, so I've had a few episodes of discharge with blood/pink in it in the last month. Haven't had any like that in over a week or so. Last week my discharge was pretty normal and didn't happen too often. But now it's starting to get thicker, and comes every single time I use the bathroom. How do you know the difference between normal discharge and your mucus plug coming out little by little? Or is discharge all discharge part of your plug? With my son I lost it over 2 weeks (so I think) and never had just one big glob or anything. I know everyone experiences something different as far as losing it over time or in one shot. How do I know the difference? And does it always have to be tinged with blood or can it just be globs of it coming out? Sorry if it sounds confusing, but I am confused about it.
To me, it doesn't seem normal to have it every time I go to the bathroom, but maybe I am wrong. I have no clue. Could this be things getting ready? My midwife seems to think after I get off of bedrest next week, I may go quickly being that I'm already 4cm. I'm just about 35 weeks now. Any advice??

[CYW]

i thought a mucous plug was kinda like the O mucous...or maybe i'm wrong...i remember having chunks of mine come out and now that i think about it to me it was similar to big chunks of O mucous...i thought normal discharge is clear/white and more watery....

[Rosa20]

hey girlie i remember when mine came out! Started at around 28 weeks and then at like 38 weeks i had a big blob of snot like discharge come out of me..like i felt it come out!! lol It was pretty grose...more or less like someone had blew a snot on me with a little bit of dark blood in it! But i hear you can lose it over the course of a few weeks!! lol sorry if that was to graffic for you!!! haha oh mie..me and my explaining things! hehe Well i still had to be induced a week over due !! So if its the preterm labour your worriying about then dont! lol ....Hope i helped a bit! :)

[jakesgal88]

I'm pretty sure the mucus plug is pretty much what it sound like. And I think it is harder in consistency. Many women experience a lot of discharge while they are pregnant, and your body may be getting ready for the baby to come especially since you are so far dialated. I went into labor myself with my second child and was 5cm when I got to the hospital and never saw the mucus plug so it could be something you don't even experience. I would suggest doing a little research on the internet or simply calling your doctor and asking the nurse what to look for.

[chantal21]

I have no clue now! lol Throughout my pregnancy, my "normal" discharge has been on the thicker side and usually more clear/white, but sometimes yellow as well. It's never been watery for me, well maybe the first few weeks, but that was it. I am really confused now and don't know why! ;) When I O, mine is always thin, clear, and super stretchy, it's different than that though. This is thick, yellowish, snotty -like.

[chantal21]

Rosa...it's ok...when it comes to pregnancy, there is no such thing as TMI. haha. =)

I forgot to mention, sometimes when it does come out, I can actually feel something sliding down and it's the weirdest feeling ever!! Then I go to the bathroom and lo and behold, there is more thick discharge. I'm thinking it may be part of the plug, but not sure. This pregnancy has been so wacky for me! My OB and midwife don't seem to be concerned about unless there is blood in it again.

[Latrice414]

I never thought about it, but my discharge has been yellowish, snot like, but in very small amounts.  I told my ob about the color and she said its normal, but i never asked further about the mucus plug, guess im just waiting to feel some contractions thats 5 min apart lol.

[chantal21]

lol Latrice. I guess that's what I will be looking for too. I don't know why...I was just thinking about it today and really have no clue how to tell the difference. I know the contractions will let me know!! =)

[JoyRenee]

It's not the same consistency. MP is the texture of Jell-O.

[chantal21]

Then I guess I have been losing some...I get a weird discharge like that every now and then. hmmmmm