How soon after losing mucus plug does labor start?

[Diana3]

Hi Ladies! I'm 34 weeks right now, and it looks like 3 days ago I lost my mucus plug, or at least some of it. I think that's what it was because it looked like some of the gruesome pictures I googled online lol. It wasn't pink or red but clear with some brownish tinges to it (sorry for tmi). Anyway, I got scared because it's still early and called my doctor who told me to come in right away and examined me. I've also been feeling lots of pressure in the lower abdomen in the last couple of weeks and some pain there as well. Thankfully, my water bag did not break and there were no signs I'm going into labor so I was told to just take it easy from now on. I can barely walk now, it hurts a lot in my lower belly and also on the left side when I walk, plus the feeling of pressure is still there. What was your experience with losing the plug, and how long after that did you deliver your baby? I hope my little one hangs in there for a few more weeks!

 

[rwhite]

That does sound like your show - although if you don't mind me asking, did you have sex before the loss of it? Sometimes in late pregnancy, sex can cause a little bit of bleeding because there is a high concentration of blood vessels in the cervix so close to birth.

I had my bloody show after a sweep when I had my son, and 12 hours later I was in labour, so if it is bloody show then it can happen quite quickly - it's usually within a few days I think.

 

[Diana3]

Thank you for responding Rwhite! Yes, some friends told me it took them hours to days from losing the mucus plug to the start of labor, so I was concerned. That's the first question my dr asked too, and no, I didn't have sex prior to that at all. Well, it's been 4 days since then and so far I'm ok, so hopefully my baby can stay in there for 5-6 more weeks. I literally can't walk anymore though. I am used to walking for hours, and now can only walk 2-3 city blocks before getting those pains and serious pressure on my pelvis.

 

[stripeycat5]

I think you can lose your mucus plug in the weeks running up until the birth. I'm afraid I'm not much help as I don't recall losing mine last time and nothing so far this time either x

 

[Diana3]

Thank you, yes, I guess it can vary depending on the woman..
Btw, what is a sweep? I've never heard of that.

 

[Alyssa Drough]

I didn't lose anything at all prior to labour. No signs whatsoever then suddenly my waters broke and 10 hours later I had a baby!

 

[stripeycat5]

A cervical sweep is where they check how much your cervix is dilated. I had one at 40 weeks with DS but won't get one til 41 weeks this time x

 

[CertifiedOreo]

Well, I was actually losing my mucus plug while I was in labor lol! And I noticed my bloody show within like two hours of giving birth.

 

[Leikela]

I was having contractions and they got closer and closer together. Once I got to the hospital, my water broke. I was in the shower at the hospital changing while my waters kept regenerating and gushing out and lost my plug about an hour after my water broke. I was in labor after that for about 7 hours until I needed an emergency c section to get baby out safely.

 

[babykate]

Both times I lost my plug after labor had already begun

 

[Bevziibubble]

I gave birth the next day after losing mine, but it's different for everyone

 

[TaraCathryn]

Based on my current experience, I'm going to have to say: Never.

 

[mrs_park]

It depends.... You can loose bits of your plug and it does not mean labour is iminent, it just regenerates itself.

A true "show" will be the mucus plug usually streaked with blood and the blood indicates changes to the cervix.

A sweep is where the run their finger around the cervix and try to separate the cervix from the bag of waters. It can start labour, but only when you're body is ready so you have to wonder if they work or if you would have gone into labour anyway.

 

[SillyMoo1983]

I didn't lose my plug until about 7 or 8 hours into labour with my DD. It's so different for each person.

 

[kissesandhugs]

I lost globs of my plug with my first for a couple of weeks before labor. I was about 37 weeks when it started and I had him at 39+6. It really is different for everyone!

 

[Catonthetown]

I only lost mine immediately after a sweep 24hrs after my labour had begun with #1 while in the checking room at the hospital (was only 2-3cm) which also broke my waters so thankfully I then got admitted and had him 7hrs later!

 

[iiTTCii]

I had a bloody show at around 36 weeks. I had a sweep at 37 weeks and had another bloody show a day later. I was then induced a week after that so the show didn't mean anything for me.

 

[Diana3]

Thanks so much ladies! Well, it's been a week and so far I'm still holding up. I'm feeling more and more pelvic pressure though. I have about 5 more weeks till the official due date!