The cork has come off, can I take a bath? Mucus plug during pregnancy (photo)

Bearing a child is accompanied by a large number of taboos, one of them is that it is forbidden for pregnant women to swim. But is it really so? Is it really impossible for a future mother to soak in a bubble bath for 9 whole months? Can't a woman expecting a baby go to the sea and swim in warm, salty water? In this article, we will consider whether pregnant women can swim, and what rules should be followed by expectant mothers who do not want to part with the water element for the period of bearing a baby.

To swim or not to swim

Previously, it was believed that pregnant women should not swim, as water containing bacteria could enter the vagina and, accordingly, to the baby in her stomach. But medicine does not stand still, and it has long been proven that the mucous plug in the vagina and the amniotic sac protect the baby from the penetration of potentially dangerous microbes into it. Modern obstetrician-gynecologists do not forbid pregnant women to swim. A woman in position can take baths at home, swim in a pool, sea, lake or river. Of course, this permission only applies to healthy expectant mothers whose pregnancy goes without any complications. But no matter where future mom going to swim, she should first consult with her doctor if she has any contraindications to this type of water treatment.

Contraindications

• high blood pressure;
• the mucous plug has come off;
• there are diseases in an acute form;
• bleeding from the vagina is observed;
• there is a risk of abortion;
• infectious diseases;
• severe toxicosis;
• preeclampsia;
• eclampsia;
• there were spontaneous abortions (miscarriages);
• gestosis.

If the expectant mother does not have the above diseases, then most likely the gynecologist will allow you to swim. Next, we will consider what rules the expectant mother should follow if she decides to swim at home in a foam bath or in an open body of water, for example, in the sea.

How to swim safely

If a woman carrying a baby decided to relax and take a bath at home, and her gynecologist allowed her this water procedure, then she should follow simple recommendations.

At home

Pregnant women can bathe in the bath if they adhere to the following rules:

• Security. It is not recommended for pregnant women to take a bath when they are alone in the house or apartment, because if the pregnant woman feels unwell, there will be no one to help her get out of the water. Before "diving" into a home pond, a future mother should think about how she will leave it. More precisely, how she will safely get out of the bathroom. To avoid an accident, and a woman expecting a baby becomes rather clumsy, it is necessary to lay a rubber mat in the bathroom.
• Optimal water temperature. Pregnant women can swim in the bathroom if the water temperature does not exceed 36-37 degrees. Otherwise, being in hot water can provoke uterine bleeding, and, as a result, spontaneous abortion.
• No allergens. Of course, tap water is cleaner than that in open water, but it also contains harmful impurities. Since the water that flows from the tap is disinfected with chlorine, there may be cases when taking a bath will result in allergic dermatitis for a woman carrying a baby. Also, the expectant mother should pay attention to what kind of cleaning agent the bath is washed with, and how well it is washed off after. If the active ingredients of the bath cleaner are not rinsed off well, they will end up in the water in which the pregnant woman will bathe and provoke an allergic reaction.
• Float. It is not recommended for a woman carrying a baby to immerse herself in the bath entirely, it is necessary that her shoulders be above the water. This will help to avoid possible overheating of the pregnant woman.
• Compliance with the maximum time spent in water. Most obstetrician-gynecologists agree that the duration of home water procedures should not exceed 15 minutes.
• Attention to your body. If a woman in position, while in the bathroom, suddenly feels unwell or some kind of unusual sensation, then it is best for her to immediately get out of the water.

On the sea

Pregnant women can swim in the sea if:

• there is a first aid station on the shore, where a doctor is on duty all day;
• the water temperature in the sea is above +22 degrees Celsius;
• storm waves of water do not exceed 2 points;
• pregnant women can swim in the sea 10-15 minutes after they come to the beach;
• it is necessary to move moderately actively in the water, then the expectant mother will not freeze and will not overwork;
• the duration of one bath should not exceed 10 minutes at first and 30 minutes after a long stay on the beach; I would like to note that it is necessary to increase the time spent in the water gradually, sensitively listening to your well-being;
• pregnant women can swim in the sea until 10 o'clock in the afternoon, when the sun is still not so strong, and after 16 o'clock in the evening, when the sun is no longer so active;
• leaving the water, a woman carrying a baby should dry herself with a towel and wrap herself in some kind of blanket to keep warm;
• it is not recommended for expectant mothers to leave the beach immediately after swimming, it is necessary to give the body time to adapt after the change of elements;
• if a woman in a position in the second half of pregnancy has convulsions, then she should not swim deep, it is better to splash near the shore in order to avoid an accident.

All expectant mothers know that the entrance to the uterus, where the future baby develops, is the cervix. Normally, the cervix is ​​closed during pregnancy, which does not allow the baby to leave the mother's womb ahead of time on the one hand and reliably protects him from the penetration of foreign substances and infections on the other hand.

Additional protection is created by the so-called mucous (or birth) plug - an accumulation of mucus tightly covering the cervix, providing additional protection to the fetus. As the due date approaches, the estrogens secreted by the female body flatten the cervix, liquefy the mucous plug, and it is excreted from the cervix naturally through the vagina.

With (ICN), the mucous plug is virtually absent due to the fact that the cervix is ​​in a slightly open state.

What does a mucus plug (birth plug) look like?

The mucous plug has a viscous viscous structure, which sometimes has the form of a rather dense lump. The color of the cork can vary from cloudy cream to rich beige, and the volume can be up to 2 tablespoons.

In some cases, the mucous plug during pregnancy (photo >>>) may contain small bloody inclusions (both individual streaks of blood and a slight daub as at the very end of menstruation), which is the norm and should not be a cause for concern. The appearance of bloody streaks and daubing is explained by the fact that the liquefaction of the birth plug often coincides with the softening and opening of the cervix, which leads to damage to the small blood vessels in it.

Blood from the mucous plug is a reason for immediate medical attention if:

• there is a significant amount of blood in the secretions;
• even if the amount of blood is small, but the blood has a bright scarlet color.

In such situations, it is safer for mom and baby not to wait for a planned visit to an obstetrician-gynecologist, but to urgently call an ambulance.

By the way, if you are afraid of getting your laundry dirty, you can use inexpensive disposable panties - they are soft, breathable and do not need to be washed. This is especially true if for some reason you went to the antenatal ward a few days before the expected date of the baby's birth (for example, if you have a post-term pregnancy and childbirth is planned to be stimulated or for a planned caesarean section), because there is nowhere to wash in the hospital.

Removal of the mucous plug before childbirth. What to do if part of the mucous plug has come off?

The volume of the mucous plug, the photo of which you can see in this article, can vary and be so insignificant that the fact of the discharge of the mucous plug softened by estrogens before childbirth can go unnoticed for the woman. Sometimes the mucus plug comes off at one time, sometimes this process stretches for several days (that is, the mucus plug comes off in parts). However, it is worth remembering that the discharge of the mucous plug even in parts in most cases indicates that the body is preparing for the process of childbirth, which can begin within the next few days or even hours. It is not uncommon for a birth (mucous) plug to come off already in the process of childbirth.

Departure of the mucous plug in primiparas. What to do if the mucous plug is completely gone (birth plug)?

In most cases, the discharge of the birth plug does not require special action on the part of the expectant mother. If a woman does not experience any disturbing symptoms (including those described above), then you can simply relax and continue to wait for the onset of childbirth. A doctor's consultation will be needed even in the absence of disturbing symptoms if the mucous plug has departed earlier than 2 weeks before the expected date of delivery.

The discharge of the mucous plug in multiparous women (during the second and subsequent births) does not have specific features.

There used to be a widespread myth that pregnant women should not take a bath due to the fact that an infection can get into the vagina along with water. And then it penetrates into the uterine cavity, which can lead to infection of the fetus. At the moment, this opinion is completely refuted, since there is a mucous plug in the canal of the neck of the poppy, which prevents the infection from getting inside.

If the mucous plug has moved away, then you should not take a bath in any case. Also, the diagnosis of "isthmic-cervical insufficiency" implies the opening of the cervix, so in such situations, taking a bath should be abandoned.

Can pregnant women take a bath?

But doctors still do not advise pregnant women to take a bath. This is due to the fact that you can not take a hot bath. It is hot water that can lead to a redistribution of blood flow. As a result, the child will experience a lack of oxygen and a variety of nutrients, which will adversely affect the course of pregnancy. In addition, hot water can provoke uterine contractions, which means that a miscarriage or premature birth will begin. To avoid these complications, you should take a bath with warm or cool water.

The relaxing effect of water procedures has a remarkable effect. Aromatic oils and sea salt will help you recover after a hard day. Therefore, you should not refuse to take a bath. But as a precaution, one should take a bath at a time when one of the relatives is at home.

Being in the water is quite natural, so pregnant women are advised to visit the pool. It helps strengthen the muscles, prepare the uterus for contractions, and train the respiratory organs. Taking a cool bath has a different effect, but in combination they will help to endure pregnancy more easily and prepare your body for the upcoming birth.

Childbirth after the discharge of the cork can begin in a couple of weeks. What to do if the cork leaves, any expectant mother in the last stages of pregnancy should know.

With the onset of pregnancy, a woman's body produces certain hormones that contribute to the formation of a mucous plug. The glands of the uterus produce mucus that closes the passage to the uterus.

Thus, nature did an excellent job of protecting the unborn child from the penetration of various infections during pregnancy. One of the main harbingers of the onset of childbirth will be the discharge of the cork. You should be very careful not to miss this moment, because it departs in different ways.

In some pregnant women, the cork leaves in a single dense clot of mucus, in which there are streaks of blood. For many, she leaves in parts, but anyway, the expectant mother will notice such discharge on her underwear.

Childbirth after the discharge of the cork will come soon. The color of the departed cork is transparent, with streaks of blood. Depending on the course of pregnancy, the cork may be brown or yellow, these are normal indicators. Blood appears due to the fact that the cervix gradually opens, preparing for childbirth, and blood vessels burst on its surface, and the blood mixes with the cork.

Be careful if there is a lot of bloody discharge or the plug is green, you should immediately go to the hospital, as this may mean fetal hypoxia.

Now that you know what the cork looks like, let's figure out how soon it will be time to give birth if it has already gone. It depends on the rate of dilation of the cervix. So for many pregnant women, the cork leaves about a couple of weeks before the birth, and for some, a few hours before the birth. And for someone, it departs already in the process of childbirth, in this case, the woman may not even notice the moment the cork leaves.

If you notice any unusual discharge in the last months of pregnancy, it is advisable to immediately notify your doctor about this.

What to do if the cork leaves, every woman in position should understand. First of all, do not be nervous, continue to lead a daily, familiar lifestyle.

Now you should be most careful about your hygiene. Also, after the cork is discharged, taking a bath is contraindicated, you can only wash in the shower. When having sex, you should use a condom, even if you are completely sure of the health of your partner. Do not be nervous and worry about the condition of the baby, because until the water has broken, he is not in danger. And, of course, you should be going to the hospital. As practice shows, a loose cork is a harbinger of an early birth.

Many women have heard that one of the harbingers of an early birth is the discharge of the mucous plug. But what it is - few know. Let's look into this issue.

information The mucous plug begins to form in the cervical canal (in the cervix) under the influence of hormones immediately after the onset of pregnancy. The secret of the cervical glands thickens, forming a "lump", and clogs the entrance to the uterus. The formed dense mucous plug protects the uterus and fetus from infection.

cork discharge

The mucus plug looks like a dense gel-like lump of mucus that is transparent, white or gray-yellow in color, may contain streaks of blood. The appearance of blood in the cork is normal. Blood appears as a result of rupture of small capillaries in the cervix and does not carry any danger.

By the end of the gestation period, under the influence of other hormones, the viscosity of the cork mucus decreases, and the body begins to prepare for childbirth. The discharge of the mucous plug can occur at various time intervals. This can happen both two weeks before childbirth, and immediately before childbirth. Sometimes this happens simultaneously with the outflow of amniotic fluid.

A clot of mucus can come out at once or stand out in parts over several days. The time and method of discharge does not affect the course of the birth process in any way.

What are the feelings?

additionally As a rule, the expectant mother does not experience any pain. The discharge of the mucous plug can occur even at night, and only in the morning a woman can find a lump of mucus in her underwear. If we consider the option when the mucous plug leaves for some time (1-3 days), then it will look like a “smearing” discharge, similar to those at the beginning or end of menstruation.

The discharge of the mucous plug means that the birth is very close. But there is no point in running to the hospital yet, of course, only if this did not happen simultaneously with the outflow of amniotic fluid, then it is better to hurry. In the meantime, you can check the collected ones, whether everything is in place, and wait for the others to appear.

Restrictions

If the mucous plug has gone, and there is still time before the date of the expected birth, then there is a need to follow basic safety rules, for example, it is not recommended to go to the pool, have sex without a condom, even if the partner is healthy.

Attention!

important The mucus plug contains a small amount of blood and after its discharge, no blood is released! If you notice the release of fluid (leakage of amniotic fluid) or blood (premature placental abruption is possible) in large volumes, then immediately seek advice from obstetrician-gynecologists! Take care of yourself and be careful!