what happens after the loss of the mucus plug?

[warzonemummy]

At it 2am and I just woke up for a pee. On wiping I "caught" what I think wa the mucus plug. It was yellow in colour, the size of a 50p coin with bits of Brown in it. And it came out of the ahemmmmm fanjo!

So what should I expect next? Dh is away and is not back until Thursday morning first thing.

I am 38 weeks and 1 day.

So what should I expect next?
a baby

Am living in USA at the moment so it's still evening here, couldn't read & run, especially after the last helpful comment

Are you in any pain at all?
Is your DH somewhere that he could leave at short notice in case you do go into labour?
Do you have any other DC you'd have to make arrangements for in case you need to go to hospital?

I hope you're not worried, 38 weeks isn't too early to have your baby.

My waters broke at 31 weeks and DS was born shortly afterwards so I have to admit I didn't have any experience of the plug etc, but from what I've heard it won't be too long until you go into labour - but everyone is different.

I'll be here for a while so feel free to check back in!

sorry warzonemummy that was a bit unhelpful....I just couldn't resist...
I think you should be prepared to leave the house quite soonish (assuming you are going to the hospital) so feed the cat, ,lock the back door, and phone a friend or relative if you can. If you are at home alone, is there anyone that would come over now? do not worry as Berri said, 38 weeks is normal.

I would second what berri said - might be worth putting some plans in place to get people where they need to be! Are you having contractions? If you arent sure then the only way I could tell early on in labor was to actually feel my belly hardening and then loosening off. Later on it was more obvious (and painful). I hope you are doing OK.

Also if you're still awake and up & about, get a bag organised if you haven't already, you don't want to have to think about it if you start having contractions.

Have you got a local friend/family member you can call if you need to?

Just wanted to say that you can lose your plug and not go in to labour for days... By all means get a plan of action together & do let your partner know as they may need to make a quick getaway, but don't panic as if you've not had any contractions yet it may not be tonight... For my last pregnancy (DC3 born not quite 3 wks ago) I lost parts of the plug over about 5 days before going in to labour. However 38 weeks is a full term pregnancy and every birth is different, so who knows what your story will be?! Hope you get some rest and that you'll be holding your little one soon...

A lone voice here, but that may not have been your plug. Heavy jelly like discharge is very common in late pregnancy - I regularly lost jelly like lumps in the last 2 weeks, often 50p or bigger. My plug was much bigger and came away in some quite bloody chunks over a 6ish hour period..

Thanks everyone, last night I had a lot of Braxton hicks too. But nothing more. No contractions and no baby!!!! Dh is quite far away but am with my sister so.not.totally alone. Bag is packed and at the door.

I lost my plug at about 38 weeks-I think- with DS2. The plug was big, much bigger than a 50p, more like a ten pound note!
More came away the next day....I was induced at 40+10, as that was as far as things ever went. Which was the same for DS1.
Am hoping for more with DC3, 38 weeks atm.
Either way, you are going to have a baby pretty soon-good luck!

I lost my plug at 38+5 and went into labour pretty much instantly as it turns out my waters had been dripping for a while!
but I know that it can be weeks.
Answer-just be prepared :-)

Sorry to say this but I lost my plug 3 weeks before DD2 arrived.