What is the Difference Between Mucus Plug and Water Breaking?

The main difference between a mucus plug and water breaking lies in their consistency and meaning. Here are the key differences:

Mucus Plug:
The mucus plug is a thick, gooey, and jelly-like substance that appears gelatinous,yellowish-white, and sometimes tinged with red, brown, or pink blood.
It forms in the cervical canal during early pregnancy to prevent bacteria or infection from entering the uterus and reaching the baby.
The mucus plug is lost when the cervix begins to dilate (open) and efface (soften and thin) as the body prepares for labor.
Passing the mucus plug can be a sign that labor is around the corner, but it is not predictive of a baby coming in the next X number of hours or days.
Water Breaking:
When the water breaks, it feels like a watery liquid.
Water breaking is the rupturing of the amniotic membrane, which is the membrane surrounding the baby.
Amniotic fluid, which is the fluid that comes out when the water breaks, is usually colorless and can trickle or gush.
The water must break or be broken for the baby to be born, except in extremely rare cases when the baby is born inside the amniotic sac, known as an "en caul" delivery.

In summary, the mucus plug is a thick, jelly-like substance that is lost before labor, while water breaking is a watery discharge that signifies the rupturing of the amniotic membrane. These two events should not be confused, as they have different consistencies and meanings in the context of labor and delivery.