[starlite]

I am 36 weeks pregnant - and went to the antenatal clinic because of really painful Braxton Hicks contractions. The doc examined me - and told me I was beggining to loose my mucous plug. I never even knew I had one!!! Now I know what a mucous plug is and why it's there ... I would like to know why mine is coming out?

What does it mean to be loosing a mucous plug?

Will I go into pre-term labour?

Can I still be intimate with my DH or should I worry about infection, now?

The doctor really didn't say much at the time - and I only just started to formulate these questions in my head AFTER I got home. Drrrr - slow huh? If I was more on the ball I would've asked at the time but I was just baffled to learn that I had a mucous plug at all!!!

 

[danav]

I never saw my mucous plug with either of my previous pregnancies (it's common not to), but it's my understanding that you can lose it days or even weeks before labor begins. Did the doctor say you had dilated at all? Your cervix could be starting to change and that could be why the plug is coming out, but you can have cervical changes also days or weeks before labor begins. And, you are 36 weeks so even if you did go into labor right now you should not really be considered pre-term (my birth center's cut off is 36 weeks - before that you have to go to the hospital instead, but as of 36 weeks they consider you full term and you can birth at the birth center). Your amniotic sac is intact so there should not be a risk of infection with sex.

 

[stafl]

It doesn't mean a thing, really. With my first, I was losing bits and pieces of my plug for months before she was born! With my second, I lost it in a huge glob all at once the day before she was born. If there's blood in it, that's usually a sign that you are starting to dilate (which also means nothing, some women start dilating three or four weeks ahead of time, some don't start to dilate until already in strong hard labor).

If it's ok for your doc to do internal vaginal exam, there's no reason in the world you can't make love with your DH. Your risk of infection from your partner is practically nil, as your body is already immune to whatever bacteria found on him, unlike the bacteria found in doctors' offices and hospitals, which is much more likely to cause problems.

 

[Llyra]

I lost my plug about a week before DD was born...

By 37 weeks, you're full-term by most people's definition. So I wouldn't worry about it, but I would get mentally prepared for the fact that baby MIGHT be arriving soon! (Then again, it might be weeks yet. These things are so unpredictable...) But no matter what, congratulations ahead of time on your new arrival

and best wishes for a safe, healthy birth!

 

[daekini]

My mother always lost her mucous plug the day she went into labor, but my best friend lost her mucous plug 2 weeks ago - at 34 weeks I think - and she has yet to show signs of labor. She went in to her OB and he didn't seem to think that much was happening, cervix-wise. I guess everyone is different! My SIL lost hers a few weeks before labor, and by the time she had her first contraction her cervix had dilated to 9 cm over the course of several weeks. Boy, I wish that would happen to me! I wouldn't mind 3 hours of labor one bit! hmmm, maybe that was OT...

 

[p1gg1e]

I "lost my plug 3 weeks before I had my labor and then relost it they day I want into labor. I thought I had a wierd infection cuz that day I was crampy and al this mucus kept coming out after I peed

.

I was in labor. Dont worry I was told you make more mucus till yeah POP! LOL: hope this helps!

 

[MrsMoe]

lost my plug the day I went into labor - first stage of labor lasted a very long time.