How long between loosing plug & contractions?

[mildred37]

Just asking really. Had a sweep yesterday at 40+2, 2cm dilated, 2/5 engaged and 25% effaced. Lost some of the plug in the afternoon, lost the rest around lunchtime today (by the way - how gross is it?!). Have been feeling odd ever since - not contract-y; more achey and restless. Is it likely to all begin tonight or tomorrow, or am I doomed for yet another week??

I think it can vary from person to person really. For me, I started having contractions before i lost my plug (which is very gross indeed!). For some it can take up to 2 weeks to go into labour after the show. So basically it could be anytime - but good luck! :)

I was about 12 hours between losing my plug and contractions good luck!

Thanks for the responses. It's been nearly 24hrs now and nothing's happening, getting frustrated!

I think it can vary but during my two labours I lost my plug during contractions.

Some people lose it for days/weeks as I believe it can regenerate! No idea with DS1 as was induced but with DS2 plug lost at midday, contractions about 2 hours later and born about 6 hours later.

PS I felt 'niggly' from about 6am on the day DS2 was born but no more than that until plug lost as above.

cant is right it can regenerate, well the mucus plug can anyway, if its the bloody show then normally labour happens soon after. My mucus plug with ds2 came Away in bits for 10wks before birth, currently 29wks with ds3 and already loosing bits of it. In my previous births the bloody show happend in labour though x

I began to lose it on my due date and my waters went three days later (baby born 40+5). Good luck. xxx

About 3 minutes :/

I had my contractions first, lasted for 2 days then I lost my plug. Continued to have contractions for a 3rd day, waters didn't break until DS emerged in the birthing pool!

i have been loosing mine in bits since 22 weeks, does this mean theres a chance i wont lose my plug? My midwife couldn't really explain why i was losing my plug but i remember losing bits of it in large quantities (never with any blood) up until about 34 weeks and now i'm losing nothing at 39 weeks, so strange.

Been losing mine for weeks, about a spoonful at a time. When in labour last time lost a handful just before I started pushing. I showed it to DH, he was unimpressed.