Mucus plug?

[MagicalCreatures]

Morning everyone.
So I’m 40+3 weeks. Yesterday I lost something similar but in a tiny amount so couldn’t be sure. But this morning I woke up to find a lot more.
It’s a slightly light tinged brown. Quite thick and will stretch from one finger to the other. I do have a picture but I won’t revolt you all this early in the morning.
Anyway, I’m actually due a sweep today at 12.30 and I’m not sure what to do.
I’d wanted to avoid anything like that but I’ve been very uncomfortable (SPD since 20 weeks, tons of Braxton Hicks and short of breath so I just want to get things started now.
So, could this be a mucus plug?
What can I expect and when did you all start going into labour after losing it?
FTM so completely clueless.

My mucus plug was enormous and very gloopy. It came out when I was already in labour.

Why do you want to avoid a sweep? I had one and it was fine, not painful but it did send me in to labour which I was then in for 5 days so in retrospect I probably would wait next time!

Good morning! Sounds like a plug to me. I think everyone is different so please don't assume you'll be the same, but I had two failed sweeps after I lost my plug, and took over a week to go into labour after losing it.

I was so fucking impatient by the end but resigned myself to the fact that you can't make baby come out, it'll come when it's ready. DD was born 40+13

Good luck and I hope all goes smoothly for you.

@spugzbunny I’ve just heard that having a sweep or induction can result in more assisted delivery’s and wanted everything to happen as natural as possible.
I might just head up to MAU and ask for there advice before I commit to one incase I am already in early stages.
@DontBuyANewMumCashmere that sounds awful. I’d be really impatient too but I know we can’t forcefully rush these things. Wish we could though. I’m obviously a total control freak 😂
Thank you x

I know the statistics you are referring to and the problem with them is that it's not necessarily the sweep that leads to assisted delivery but more that overdue babies are more likely to require assistance and answer is given when you are overdue.

A plug can also come out in bits by the way. Mine came out in one big glob.

Maybe ask your midwife to examine how far you are and then you can make more of a decision.

It sounds like it could maybe be the start of it. IIRC I also got an 'is this, or isn't it?' type substance coming out then a day or two later it became obviously a mucus plug, even to to someone who had never seen one before!

Oh, and I think I was a good few days before pre-labour started (sorry!) but I had a very slow stop-starty labour anyway so that might not be normal.

Well I feel like I’ve been in early stages of labour for a week or more. So many twinges and period cramps but nothing regular.
I’ve been up to MAU and she did an internal. Cervix was opening and she could feel baby’s head so she did the sweep and has booked me in for an induction next Monday if nothing happens x x x

How was the sweep @MagicalCreatures? I’ve got one in a few hours and getting very nervous about it now!

@PickettBowtruckles it was absolutely fine. A tiny bit painful but just more uncomfortable really. Not like a nail biting pain or anything. It was more painful around the outside from her hand pushing up against my pelvic bone then it was internally on the actual cervix.
but I’ve just read in my notes that I was only 1cm and nothing is really happening apart from a few cramps so trying not to get my hopes up x

Just got back from mine - like you said uncomfortable more than painful, though I did get a few painful cramps in my front while she did it which she said was normal. She said 1-2cm dilated but closer to 2, and bishops score of 7. Booked for another sweep Wednesday and induction either Sunday or Monday if not. Fingers crossed for us both that things start soon!

@PickettBowtruckles glad it went ok for you. What is this bishops score thing? I’ve heard of it before.
Yeh I went walking around Asda after and got loads of cramps but it’s all died down. So we might both be in for inductions Monday. Let me know how you get on. Good luck x x

I’d not heard of the bishops score either before but the midwife said it was like a cervix rating - how ready it is determined by positioning/softness etc. She said 10 is best and gave me a 7 which I thought was great but since googling it says 8+ is a good 7, 6 or 7 isn’t a great indicator either way?!

I went to bed feeling hopeful as well as I was having a few cramps in my front, back was a bit achy and just felt a bit out of sorts. Absolutely raging that I woke up and it’s all gone and nothing starting at all. No bloody show yet either which I thought would be likely after the sweep. Got another sweep booked tomorrow and induction after if not. Seriously fed up now. Any good news your end?! Hoping things are getting going for you :)

@PickettBowtruckles oh I see. Well I’ve checked my notes. It says cervix central and soft but nothing else. So I don’t have a clue.
Absolutely nothing happening my end either. And like you I’m getting very impatient and fed up.
Was so hoping for a spontaneous labour.
All twinges have stopped. I did lose abit of blood etc with the sweep but it’s all gone very quiet now.
It’s like it all builds up during the day, by he evening I start getting some feelings and then I go to sleep, wake up and it’s all gone x

@MagicalCreatures I don’t think all the midwives use it, I had another sweep today and she only scored me as I asked her specifically if it had changed otherwise she wouldn’t have checked. I’m still 2cm but she scored an 8 on that scale so hoping it’s moving in the right direction. I had tiny bits of what I think was the mucus plug last night but it was far less than I expected and mostly clear so who knows! Had the other sweep this morning and feeling a few period cramps again but not getting my hopes up as same as you things seem to progress to the night but when I wake it’s all stopped! We’re booked for an induction on the 8th now so desperately hoping I go spontaneously before then! How are things your end today? X

@PickettBowtruckles well I definitely lost all my mucus plug and had a proper bloody show last night. But absolutely no signs of contractions or anything.
I’m very uncomfortable today though. Baby feels like he’s moved up abit as the top of my tummy is really hard and sore.
I’ve got my other sweep on Friday but I am certain nothing is going to happen until I’m induced on the 7th. And even then I think it might take a few more days.
I’m just not getting any signs or feelings at all. X

@MagicalCreatures that’s a good sign if you’ve definitely lost it all though! I keep checking but I haven’t lost anymore since the tiny bit last night. I’ve not had any sign of contractions either but also very uncomfortable, I feel like my actual bump is sore, it feels like I’ve been bent over for hours if that makes sense?

I’m also at the point where I feel like nothing is going to happen until induction. Even the mild cramps have stopped now :( This is just the crappiest feeling isn’t it! On a positive note however crap we feel now, in a weeks time we’ll both have our babies here! X

@PickettBowtruckles have you had any luck after your second sweep.
I’ve got mine tomorrow at 3.30.
But I’m still sure nothing will happen till Induction day.
Am I right in thinking that they send you home after inserting a pessary for the induction. And that if it doesn’t work you have to go back and it can take days for them to finally do anything. This is what I keep hearing.
I keep telling myself it’s ok, he will definitely be here by Monday-Tuesday but now I’m worried they’ll just keep saying come back tomorrow x

@MagicalCreatures I lost a big chunk of mucus plug after the second sweep, and my waters went yesterday morning. I gave birth this morning to a beautiful little girl :)

As far as I know yes that’s what they do with induction, at least it is where I am. They start with a pessary and you get 24 hours to react before they start the hormone drip. Unfortunately I ended up on the hormone drip anyway as I failed to progress past 3-4cm on my own, they shouldn’t leave you more than a couple days though and once your waters have gone they usually want baby out within 24 hours of that. I hope you’re doing okay and it’s not long at all now till baby is here! X

@PickettBowtruckles oh congratulations hun!!! I thought something must have started for you since I didn’t hear back.
Hopefully your home now and resting and giving that gorgeous little girl lots of cuddles.
It’s been so wonderful sharing this journey with you. I’ll let you know when my little boy makes his appearance. Take care x x x x

@PickettBowtruckles
Just wanted to let you know that our gorgeous Son, Brady was born last night at 10.41pm, 9 days overdue, weighing 6lbs 15oz.
He is our absolute world and we cannot stop staring at him.
Hope your doing well x x x x

@MagicalCreatures oh I’m so happy to hear your news! How are you both doing? We’re just beginning to settle at home now but still waiting for my milk to come in which is proving difficult but hoping it will soon and she’ll be happier x