How Long Did It Take?!?!?!?!?

Updated on December 03, 2006
K.S. asks from Goshen, IN
18 answers

Whenever the mucous plug falls out, usually, how long does it take for labor to begin after this happens?

Yesterday i had a doctors appointment, they checked me and i was 1cm dilated and 50% efaced... that night (last night) i was having some braxton hicks and bad cramping! all thru the night i had them and couldnt sleep! ha ha... then this morning when i went to the bathroom, my mucous plug fell out... i am just wondering when labor should start from here?! i am still having the braxton hicks and cramping this morning as well....

oh yeah, my due date was today! (November 29th!)

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for all your advice! our lil ethan was born saturday december 2nd!

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J.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

I lost my mucas plug shopping at Walmart. I thought I was peeing on myself!!! Anyway I went home and laid down and my contractrions started that evening. I went to the hospital that late night and delivered at noon the next day. Good luck...J.

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E.F.

answers from Louisville on

Mine fell out and grew back and fell out again another 2 times over 6 weeks but I never progressed beyond 2 cm. I had a c-section because my son was breech. I'm the only one I know who did this. Most of my friends had their baby the same day they lost their plug. It's very exciting. Best wishes.

E.

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J.P.

answers from Wheeling on

with you only being 1cm dilated you will probably go into labor a week to 2 weeks from the time you lost it. but everyone is different. my first was born nearly 9 years ago and i was 8cm when i had to go the hospital..and i had never lost mine....my second was the same(just a little more pain) and my 3rd i was 1cm dilated at my appt and i had lost my mucous plug one afternoon and it was about a week later i had the worst pain ever in my back and the labor delivery people insisted that i was not in labor....they did this over the phone at 4am....my daughter was born before 7am...i was in so much pain it wasnt funny....natural childbirth is something to be rethought..lol. anyway if you are having the braxton hicks...if you feel it could be more then by all means go to the hospital. if you are wrong then so what,...be wrong. bc eventually you will be in labor and you dont want to be made to feel like you are bothering anyone when they tell you that the labor is false...if i had continued to listen to them when i had my 3rd child then i may have had her at home and who needs that?? sorry so long!! good luck with you are your family....hope your baby is healthy!!

1 mom found this helpful
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N.H.

answers from Louisville on

Hi! My guess is that when you read this you'll have a baby in your arms. Not because the mucous plug fell out, but your cramps sound like they might be the real thing. Look for any pink tint after you pee. When/if you see it, you'll probaby start labor 24 hours or sooner. Good luck to you! You are well on your way!!!!!

P.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

Wow, I guess I am different, but I always knew that. Mine fell out about 2 minutes before my daughter was born. I was supposed to get a urine sample for the doctors in the triage room and that is when it came out and I was immediately moved to the bed in the triage room and she was born with 2 quick pushes. I had been in labor since 238 that morning and she was born at 616am, exactly 16 minutes after I got to the hospital. So I guess my story doesn't help, but it does show the differences possible. You will have your son VERY soon I am sure! Enjoy and good luck!

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L.M.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I had my children within 48 hours. Are you timing your cramps? Remember they aren't always in the front. Back pain is also a sign of labor. My water always ruptured at home before labor was real intense. Good Luck.
After reading everyone elses responses I wanted to add a few things. Don't be discouraged with the 1 cm dilation. I never dilated until it was time. My first one, 11 now, My plug first, less then 24 hours water ruptured. I don't mean a little leak. It wasn't clear so went to the hospital at 9AM had her at 10:56PM. Full patosin drip and pushed for 3 hours. I'm a small gal with NO HIPS! Don't want to scare you. It wasn't bad enough to scare me from having 2 more. My daughter was 1 day late. My Second a week late, lost plug and w/in 48 hours was in labor. SuperBowl sunday. Timed contractions during game. Very spuratic. Then at 12AM felt a little leaking. And my water was leaking. Went back to bed and timed contractions waited until 7 minutes apart and then woke my husband. Had to still drop off my daughter to Grandma. Had full patosin drip again but never got past 7cm at 9am.They took him by c-section. I cried. The doctor even gave me another hour to try. But he said since I had such a hard time with a 6lb6oz baby, and he knew this one was bigger and not getting any smaller and being a week alte he had to take him. Not so bad. My third was due December 29, I had my option of delivery methods but, they won't give patosin if you've had a C-section and without it I knew I would never dilate. So they would end up doing a C anyway. So I scheduled a C-section on the 20th. That way I would be home with my family for Christmas. I can home Christmas eve with my new son. And all went well. Now nearly 2 years later, You can barely see my scar and I have 3 beautiful children to show for it even if you could. Good Luck. When Ethan is ready he will let you know.

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L.B.

answers from South Bend on

With my first the plug fell out and she was here within the hour. Mysecond and third I don't know when I lost the plug and the fourth I lost my plug on friday and had her on sinday night. So, I guess every baby is different even when it comes to the plug!! Very excited for you!!!

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S.B.

answers from Huntington on

You should be giving birth very soon then.Just be patient.Best wishes 2 u and your husband.

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H.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

I never remember losing mine with either of my kids but my (very young) sister just had her baby almost three weeks ago and I went to every appointment with her and was in the delivery room. She lost her plug about a week before she went into labor. She called her doctor as soon as it happened because she was also having irregular contractions but he said to hang in there until real timable contractions started. I'd still call your doctor just to let them know (especially about the cramping.) but it could be a few days still OR IT COULD BE TODAY! At least it's getting closer!
BTW, I love the name you have picked out... Good luck and congratulations.

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S.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

OH MY!!! Have you called your doctor? I was told that when the mucus plug falls out you are well on your way. This may be time!!! How exciting for you. I would definitely check with your doctor... like... NOW! It shouldn't be too much longer. Good luck to you and the baby. :)

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J.D.

answers from Louisville on

Dear K.,
After I lost mine with both of my pregnancies, I was at the hospital within 24 hours. Although everyone is differant and yours may not be 24 hours like mine, I promise it will be very soon!..lol..I'm sorry if I wasn't much help, But I atleast wanted to tell you...Congrats on your New Arrival!!!

God Bless,
J. D

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C.G.

answers from Indianapolis on

Mine fell out, I was 80% effaced and I was 2-3 cm dilated and I still didn't go into labor. A week later they ended up admitting me and breaking my water exactly 2 weeks before my due date. That started labor and DS was born 14 hours later.

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K.G.

answers from South Bend on

Labor could be anytime now. are you sure they are falselabor pains???????????? good luck and enjoy your baby

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T.K.

answers from Bloomington on

hI!
Well, we just had baby no. 3 and is was different with every one. BUT with our last, Zoey, it was less than 48 hours. With our oldest however, it was over a week.
Good luck with your new little one. Hope he will hurry his litle self here!!

T.

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K.O.

answers from Evansville on

Everyone is different. I went a day later. But most cases it has to be within 2 weeks from the day you lost it. with you being that far efaced, it will be soon. i would say no later than a week.

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R.F.

answers from Evansville on

I lost my mucous plug and was having braxton hicks for two weeks and never went into labor and ended up being induced. I at the time was also 1.5 and 80% and still nothing. Hope yours is for real! Goodluck to you and your family!

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M.J.

answers from South Bend on

It took me another week after I lost the mucus plug before I delivered. And don't go with the water breaking theory is ur best sign, they had to break mine in the hospital. As for the braxton hicks contractions, I can't tell you much. I was having contractions from the time my son was 4 months in utero until I delivered(problematic pregnancy). Keep ur chin up though....you know its going to be soon! Congrats!

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D.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

anytime now!! good luck!

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