How Long Should You Loose Your Mucas Plug

I think you are going to have the baby soon. My mucus plug came out the day I delivered my first son but it didn't happen with my other two pregancies. If you want to deliver soon I would say go for a walk, take a warm bath, eat spicy foods(wings) and rest b/c once that little one comes you are going to be sooooo tired. Good luck and Congrats,
L.

No. Do not worry your contractions are not regular. As for the mucous...it could be days or weeks after you lose that before labor. You do need to pay attention to liquid dribbling. This is usually amniotic fluid & if you notice you panties are wet you need to call your Dr. Losing little bits over days is ok though but they will need to monitor that so the fluid level doesnt get to low as this can cause fetal distress. I am a nurse & went through this with my little guy.You can have braxton hicks contractions off & on for weeks(lower back pain)There will be no doubts in your mind when you get the real ones! Also look for meconium. It looks green/black/brown discharge in your underwear or when you wipe. If you get this you have definately broken your water(which might feel like a little balloon popped or you might not feel at all) get dressed..don't rush..get to the Dr & prepare to be a MOMMY!!! Until then Get excited as your little miracle is on his/her way:) Best wishes & God bless. Don't worry...enjoy sweetie!

Hi A.!
March 16th! That's my Birthday! Congratulations on having your First Baby! It's so exciting!

You sound like you are going through what I went through with my last child. My OB and I were just so frustrated because what you described happened to me and I was pretty much "in labor" for a week and a half with the contractions and the pain but not dilating. I really didn't worry, though because I remembered with my first child that "real" labor didn't occur until my water broke. That is when I had to rush to the hospital. But even then, I still had 8 hours before I delivered. So, don't worry. You'll be fine. My contractions for my third were VERY irregular but once I went into "real" labor, they became regular and I experience what I called, "real labor pain". Before, the pain felt like cramps but once I went into "real labor" they felt more like waves. That's when I knew I had to go to the hospital.
As soon as you get to the hospital, ask when the anesthesiologist will be there to administer the epidural. Make sure they call him/her as soon as you are prepped. Mine wasn't called on time, for my last delivery, and I endured 45 minutes of constant contractions and it was the longest 45 minutes ever. With my 1st, they were on top of the epidural and I actually slept for a few hours then they woke me up and asked, "are you ready"? 5 pushes and she was out!! Soooo easy; no pain. Also, make sure you eat something before being admitted. You really do get hungry and they only allow you to eat ice chips!!!
Just remember to breath calmly and focus. :o)
Feel free to email me if you need to talk or if you are feeling anxious. But Really, don't worry, you will be fine and you'll do great!!
Take Care and get your rest!
D.

Hi A.. I don't know what the norm is but I lost my mucous plug about 2 weeks before my daughter was born.
Hope that helps.
- P.
www.tinytottowels.com

congratulations on your first child! When I was pregnant with my first child I lost my mucus plug the night I gave birth to him. I was contracting a lot that day with lots of back pain like you are having, I went to the hospital and of course they sent me home too. I went to sleep for a little bit and woke up with pain and felt like I had to go to the bathroom and had all this mucus coming out of me and a little blood. So we rushed to the hospital and 13 hours later I had my baby boy (because he was stubborn). Good luck! You are on your way to having your baby this week, no doubt!

Hey I am 24 and have had 3 kids, with my last one it took about 3 days to loose my plug. I also had contractions (no, not braxton hicks) but what they called "pre" labor for 3 weeks solid about every 5 minutes apart. They then decided I had suffered long enough and induced my labor b/c I was in the same seat as you, the baby just didn't want to drop and let me dilate. Not a big thing to worry about. Every person and pregnancy is different. Just watch and make sure that you aren't loosing amniotic fluid. Sounds like you will be a new Mommy VERY soon So congratulations and GOOD LUCK!!!

well if it continues i would call your doctor. but with your first baby things can always be a little off. good luck and congratulaion

They could be braxton hicks contractions.

I lost my mucous plug a couple of weeks before having my baby. And if it's any consolation, I've been told (by an experienced midwife) that the more "practice" contractions you have, the shorter your actual labor will be.

I would not be worried at all.

I never lost my mucous plug. It can be different for every woman though. Some women lose a large clump of mucous and some lose it gradually.
I agree with the other women - GET SOME SLEEP! The second you enter the hospital, people are poking and prodding you so frequently that you get no decent sleep. You probably won't get to sleep through the night until your baby is at least 4 months old (if you are luck). So rest!!
And come back and let us know how things went!!!!
GOOD LUCK!!

I'm sure everything is fine! But sure does sound like you are going to deliver here in the next couple of days! Congratulations!

I wouldn't worry about anything being wrong. But, I think you will have the baby tonight..or tomorrow morning. Good luck!!

My baby was born on a Monday afternoon. I thought I lost the mucous plug Friday morning, but then when I lost it around noon on Sunday I knew I had lost it--no mistake. When you lose it, you'll know.

Hi A.,
It seems like I lost my mucous plug for a couple of days, ie: I had mucous almost each time I wiped and could feel it throughout the day. As for the lower back pain, that might be all it is. Are you carrying low? I did and my lower back would throb and ache from about noon on. I also did not go into labor until about 3 weeks after I lost it. My doctor told me that I was dialated to a 2, not effaced yet though. I know it's hard but try not to worry, whats going on sounds normal to me, but have your bags packed!! Gob bless you and your new baby!

If you're due March 16, you're well within your due date - no need to worry about it being too early. I lost (and reformed) my mucous plug for about 3 weeks. My doctor said go to the hospital (we're 45 minutes away) when the contractions were 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, or I couldn't talk through them, or my water broke - whichever came first. Follow your doctor's directions and be happy - you'll be meeting your little one soon. :)

Every pregnancy is different. When I had my first baby, I never noticed any mucous at all. With my second one, the plug just fell out at once when I used the restroom, and I had the baby a few days later. With both babies, I experienced mild contractions and lower back pain until they were born. Since that is happening, and it is pretty close to the due date, you should keep in close contact with your doctor. Tell him/her any time anything different happens. Since you are already dilating, it will any time now. Walking......not speed walking, but just normal, will help your baby get here, and help you not to have as much pain.

I think you're going to have the baby tonight, maybe tomorrow. Go for a walk to see if that gets things going. Then call your doctor and tell her about the contractions. I bet she will tell you to come in and get checked, and then maybe it will be time to go to the hospital from there! Thats how it was for us. (bring your packed overnight bag with you just in case!)

What hospital are you going to deliver? Does the baby move (I understand that so close to delivery they don't move as much). If you are spotting, you should go to the hospital. You will KNOW when it is time, the pressure, the pains will be so intense and quite regular.
Good luck to you.
K. Jones