A mucus plug typically looks like a thick, sticky, jelly-like blob or discharge that can be clear, off-white, or slightly colored with blood, giving it a pink, red, or brown hue. It is usually about 1 to 2 inches long and may be stringy or sticky in texture. The mucus plug can come out all at once as a single blob or in smaller pieces over several hours or days. It is often odorless and resembles a thick ball of snot or jelly
. Key characteristics include:
- Color: Clear, white, off-white, or slightly bloody (pink, red, brown)
- Texture: Thick, sticky, jelly-like, and stringy
- Size: Approximately 1-2 inches in length or about 1-2 tablespoons in volume
- May appear as one large glob or smaller pieces over time
The presence of blood in the mucus plug is normal and often referred to as the "bloody show," indicating that the cervix is beginning to dilate in preparation for labor
