How gradual can loss of mucus plug be & does it always mean labour is imminent?

[babyblabber]

I've an elective section booked for the 27th. With DS I was induced and DD was also elective section so I've never gone into labour myself. I've been having some period type pains and lower back pain the last week or so, never had so much as a twinge with the other two.

I'm 37+2 & this morning there was a few spots of blood on my underwear, all day little bits of discharge when I wipe (no more than happens occasionally throughout pregnancy, although usually not all day) & just now the discharge had some blood in it.

Just wondering could this be the start of losing my mucus plug & if so, could I go into labour early?

[Mouthfulofquiz]

My mucus plug was big and gross and kept coming for about two days before I went into labour if I remember correctly. It was in blobs the size of a 50p piece and very mucusy! I hope the grossness of my thread doesn't trigger labour!

[kalidasa]

Hello baby. With DS I shed a biggish lump of clear mucus/jelly about 10 days before proper labour began, though had grumbly period pains/mild contractions on and off throughout those ten days so knew I was getting ready. I didn't see any blood though until well into actual labour. I'm now 37+6 with DS2 and I have been losing brown/slightly bloodstained mucus today. I've been having the period-like pains for several days, and had a sweep yesterday. Before the sweep I thought I probably had about a week to go, now I'm thinking it may be sooner than that but I'm not actually in labour yet.

Basically I think the combination of mild pains and a bit of a 'show' suggests that your cervix is softening/dilating but that doesn't necessarily mean that full labour is imminent as your body can spend quite a while preparing.

I am not planning to go in to be checked out unless/until I am definitely in proper labour, but as you have an ELCS planned perhaps you'd need to see someone sooner?

[Firstimemummy15]

I'm 39 weeks today and midwife reckons I lost my plug about 5-6 weeks ago, the week after that the head became engaged and still is but no signs if labour!

[OhMjh]

I lost mine 3 times before labour began over a period of 8 weeks! It isn't a sign of anything be just around the corner, I'm afraid.

[babyblabber]

Ok thanks girls. Have an appointment tomorrow so can discuss it then but was just wondering if it meant I should get my act together re getting organised! Looks like I probsbky have the yet, am nearly there but could do with another couple of days at least!

[Chatatouillez]

Mine went one week before labour started. Good luck!

[mumxof3x]

Im having my 4th and with my 3rd I started to loose it really early on and its already coming away in bits now and im 22wk some bits are really small other days the can be quite large. Doctor just says its fine because it does regenerate so doesnt necceseraly mean imminent but, then again for some people it can mean labour. So hard to say x