What does the mucous plug do?

The mucous plug is simply a collection of cervical mucous that blocks the opening of the cervix. It is the baby's barrier from harmful bacteria and infection.

How do you know if you lost it?

Many women during the 8th or 9th month of pregnancy tend to lose parts of their mucous plug at a time. Although some women do lose theirs all at once, some don't ever notice it at all! For the latter half that may be because they lost theirs while going to the bathroom, particularly a bowel movement. In that case they would not have even known it came out. But most women will notice during the end of their pregnancies several large deposits of thick cervical mucous. It is thicker and in a larger quantity than what a pregnant woman normally has.

I think I lost it! Does that mean I will go into labor tonight?

Losing your plug is a good indication that labor is near...near...but maybe not immediate. Typically women will go into labor several hours to several weeks after the loss of their mucous plug. Many doctors will tell you not to worry if you do notice yours has come out. It is more an indication that you have begun dilating then a sign that you are about to go into labor. If you notice "bloody show", which is a pink or red tinged glob of cervical mucous, and you are 36 weeks pregnant, or less, you will want to contact your doctor. You may be about to go into pre-term labor. The bloody show is a better indication that labor is close, because it means that your entire plug has come out and your cervix is spreading and opening.