Can I still swim at 37 weeks if my water hasn't broken even if I have lost my mucus plug?

renae1-2

I wanted to go swimming tomorrow but my ob told me at my last appointment I was 2cm dialated and I experienced a light pink streak in my discharge after using the bathroom the day after my appointment so I dont know if I lost my plug or not and was wondering if it's still ok to swim unless my water breaks.

delujm0

If you had fully lost your mucus plug, believe me, you'd know.  You'd wipe and it would look like your vagina hocked up a loogie on your TP.  it would be large and VERY thick.  I lost my plug with DD a little at a time, so it's possible yours is just starting to come out but hasn't come out completely.

 

That said, unless your water has broken, it's fine to go swimming unless your doctor told you specifically to avoid it.  Just be careful if you are GBS+.  If you are GBS+ you are not supposed to be in the water once your water has broken because it increases the risk of the infection spreading to the baby.  I was GBS+ with DD but was still swimming regularly up until I was in labor.  I'm pretty sure I was in the lake the day before I had her actually.  My water didn't break until I was 6cm dilated and already at the hospital, so it wasn't a big deal.

MrsCaliRN

Light pink streaks in your regular vaginal discharge does not sound like a lost mucus plug. The mucus plug, in my experience, looks like a sizeable blood-tinged (red/dark red/brown) lump of snot. Mine came out all at once when I was in early labor, it was about the diameter of doughnut hole and it was VERY obvious. If you dare, Google photos of what a mucus plug looks like and compare to what you've experienced. As @delujm0 stated, it can come out in pieces, too, but it will have that blood-tinged, snot look to it regardless.

Your amniotic sack being intact is enough protection from the outside though, regardless of the state of your mucus plug. If I was you, once I've for sure lost my mucus plug or sizeable pieces thereof, or if I was in labor, I'd avoid swimming because your water could break any moment and you want to be fully aware that it has happened so you can head to the hospital to really reduce infection risk.

Til then,  Edited for confusing wordage

lovesclimbing

Ditto the others. This sounds like it's probably just spotting. 

lizerspitz

I hear you though. I have the very unlikely and low probability fear that my water will break in the pool and I won't notice. It's just mild anxiety, but I have avoided the pool this weekend so far.

mtvkv5

That thought of my water breaking in the pool never crossed my mind until this thread! I feel like that's a pretty low probability though. i've been in the pool every night this week, it feels so great to relieve the pressure on my pelvis. 

mombod

My midwife specifically told me to get in the pool and/or tub as much as possible. 

shmarpler

mombod said:

My midwife specifically told me to get in the pool and/or tub as much as possible. 

It really helps with swelling, aches, and pains. 

lizerspitz

@renae1-2 That also sounds like mild spotting from a cervical check to me.

@mtvkv5 sorry to add any negative thoughts to what sounds like a very pleasant routine!