Where is my plug? Spontaneous labour? 40 weeks

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Hi everyone,

I'm 40 weeks + 4 today and wondering if it'll ever happen. TBH I've had a fairly easy pregnancy so far, and i really don't feel any different. No contractions or loss of mucus plug. I wanted to know if anyone has just randomly gone in to labour, despite having a seemingly normal/routine day. I'm starting to wonder when it's actually going to happen and whether I'm going to end up going up to 42 weeks!!

I have tried to induce labour by eating lots of pineapples, I've been on the raspberry leaf tea since 38 weeks, today I tried walking up and down the steps a few times, bouncing up and down.

I suppose I'm just desperate to meet my baby but it feels like this is the longest wait ever!

bump

Yes, I had absolutely zero signs of labour before contractions started. First at 40+6 and second at 40+2. My plug didn’t start to come away until after contractions started of it, and I didn’t lose the bulk of it until I was in established labour. Waters broke the push before the head came out!

I hear spontaneous labour can happen, though it didn't for me. Could you get a sweep soon? That way they'll know what is going on with your cervix.

I’ve never visibly lost my plug (had two babies). The 2nd I did have cramps on and off for weeks before, but with my first, I had absolutely no signs, felt great, it was totally spontaneous and 11 hours later she was born, both natural births. So I wouldn’t necessarily assume it isn’t happening soon.

With dd1 my labour started in the night with no signs at all beforehand not single niggle, twinge, nothing.
Woke up to a contraction just after midnight. Dd born at 7.59am. I was 40+11.

Good luck!

Yeah I went in to Labour at 40+4 and didn't have any signs of labour until contractions started, and didn't lose my plug until i was having regular painful contractions! I was feeling like it wouldn't happen too after a failed sweep, but it did
Good luck!

I feel reassured now hearing all your experiences!

@rubyroot I have a sweep booked in for Monday, so fingers crossed that gets things going as well. :)

With my first I had no signs till a massive contraction in Mcdonalds. Woke up the next morning in labour. Never lost any mucous plug, never had niggles, no false alarms.

I lost my plug when I had a sweep with DC1 and a day or 2 before my contractions started with DC2 (also after multiple sweeps). I had absolutely no signs of labour with DC1 until my hindwaters broke. With DC2 I had mild cramping for a couple of hours before my waters went. Just keep walking and bouncing on the ball - fingers crossed it won't be long for you

Good luck!

Thank you everyone! :) All the best with your pregnancies too. x

Both times I lost my plug 4 hours before baby arrived. Both times 'cramps' were the fore runner but not enough for me to think contractions.

I didn't see a plug with dc's 2, 3 and 4. With dc1 there was a big dark red lumpy thing a couple of days before he was born. With dc5 I had a small gush of blood the day before he was born. I panicked and thought my placenta was detaching. After a dash to the maternity unit the midwife said it was my plug. I felt really silly, you'd think after 5 dc i would know.