[SueZVudu]

I'm at 39 weeks as of today, and having contractions on and off for about four days now. Three days ago, the mucus turned brown, which I'm guessing is "old" blood, and has some red "new" blood streaks every now and then. Four days ago, the OB said I was dilated at 1 cm and 50% effaced. Here's what I need to know: does any of this give me a clue as to when I'll go into labor?<br><br>
I'm not just being an overanxious mama here. I have an 18-month-old DD, and we have no family and few friends in the area. The couple that's going to take care of her while I'm in the hospital have just informed me that they're leaving town THIS WEEKEND for FOUR DAYS (keep in mind, EDD is Sunday!) All of our other friends are leaving town as well for the holiday weekend (stupid holiday, Columbus Day. Nobody in Oklahoma ever got off for Columbus Day...too many Native Americans there, I guess.) So now I'm in official freak-out mode. I know this isn't an exact science, but does anyone know what the brown mucus means? I've read about green mucus and cloudy mucus and clear mucus, but nothing about brown. I'm just praying that I'll go into labor before Thursday....or after next Monday. Those are some friends I've got, let me tell you. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/angry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="angry">

 

[GoodWillHunter]

your cervix is probably effacing some more...i.e, eventually, it will be 100% effaced and labor will start in earnest. Hang in there, you'll be okay...Brown means old blood, but red blood means new, as you probably know.<br><br>
You know, you might want to call your OB tomorrow and get some reassurance as, well, that's what they are there for, after all.... I'm not a nurse, but I've been there many times and will be there again in the future. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[SueZVudu]

Thank you for clarifying that, Hilary (ha ha h.....okay, bad pun.)

 

[earthmamafor3]

so Suze, how did it look????? You poor thing, I can imagine the panic, I was a single mom with my first two kids.....Hope you get some time and rest while you can!!<br>
Take care and keep us posted<br>
blessings<br>
Deb

 

[SueZVudu]

Well, it was clearish brown for a while, but now it's cloudy white (this feels like I'm reading tea leaves.) Fortunately, my mom called tonight and said she's booking a flight for Thursday night, so unless I have the baby before then, she'll be here to take care of DD#1 (I'd rather she be the one to take care of her, anyway.) I didn't want to ask, because she and dad are planning on coming up after DH has to go back to work to give me an extra week of help with the two little ones, and the cost of all those plane tickets is going to add up. Who'd have thought I'd be benefitting from attachment parenting at the age of 25? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> Ah, well, looks like I have a few more days to wait.....