lost mucus plug 36+4wks

[Acouture]

Help! Just lost my mucus plug. Ftm. When should I expect labor to begin? I have mild cramping.

[genamarie]

I didn't mean it had to contain blood, was just asking. Tightening in your belly could be contractions. Try to time how long it takes for you to feel it tighten each time. You might honestly want to call to be seen just to make sure. It's very difficult to tell with preterm labor. Had I not had slight spotting when I lost my mucus plug at 26 weeks, I never would have gone to the hospital that night, and I'd probably not be pregnant right now. Especially being your first child, and not being sure of exactly what labor might feel like to you, I had no idea what to look for, not everyone has the same symptoms of labor, it would probably at least ease your mind to know if anything was going on at the very least.

[Acouture]

It was a lot of mucus. Almost like snot. I read it doesn't necessarily have to have blood for it to be your plug. I'll watch for contractions. I just have tightening in my belly and mild cramps

[genamarie]

Did you have a "bloody show" or just mucus-like discharge?

If you had spotting/"bloody show" where there was any blood, you might want to keep an eye on things for about an hour or longer, see how and if things progress, maybe even call your doctor now just to notify them and see if they'd like you to be seen. If you've lost the "bloody show" you could go into labor, and losing the bloody show can also mean further dilation. Which with cramping (could be braxton hicks or beginning of labor contractions), that can also further progress things along.

Keep an eye on things, being that you're not yet considered full term, I'd try laying on your left side and increasing your fluids just to make sure you're not having braxton hicks, and if anything progresses, or you feel uncomfortable, definitely call in. They'll possibly want to stop or slow down things, or if you were to be or go into labor, they could go ahead and let things go naturally. Just depends, a lot of doctors are different.

[Acouture]

I'm 1cm 70% effaced. I have a drs appt on Tuesday but wanted to make sure it wouldn't affect the baby. Thanks ladies

[genamarie]

Yes, it could happen any time from now until your due date, maybe even past it. It all just depends on when your body is ready. The mucus plug apparently can regenerate itself if labor isn't imminent and dilation hasn't occurred. At least no matter what happens, you're about to be considered full term.

good luck!

[kyonamarie]

It can still be a while before labor starts. You can lose it anywhere from a few weeks to a few days before you actually go into labor

[jerica86]

It can still be awhile before labor starts even a few weeks