Does the mucus plug always come out before water breaks?

Not necessarily. While the passage of the mucus plug is often a sign that labor is approaching, it does not always happen before the water breaks. Some women may experience water breakage without ever seeing the mucus plug, while others may pass the plug days or even weeks before the water breaks. Additionally, some women may not have a noticeable mucus plug at all. The process of labor and the order of events can vary widely from woman to woman.