STMs: how long after bloody show did Labour begin?

[Kathleen995]

Hi all

I know how unpredictable labour is but I feel like I’m going insane! STM, first baby was born at 41 weeks exactly after 2 sweeps. After the second sweep, I lost my mucus plug at 9pm that night, had mild cramps, went into labour the following morning with strong contractions and he was born at 2pm (so I had an active labour of only about 5 hours with my first.)

I’m now 41 weeks today with my second, 3 sweeps down. I had the final sweep yesterday, was only 2cm dilated but cervix very soft. I lost my (bloody) mucus plug last night around 9pm and had quite strong cramping and diarrhoea so thought it was all go. However today nothing has happened, no further signs of labour at all and I just feel sooooo done. Everyone, including the midwives, told me Labour would happen super fast this time around because of my first’s quick Labour but the pregnancy has dragged on even further as is the labour apparently!

STMs, how long was it for you from losing your mucus plug/bloody show to labour? I really thought my baby would be here by now so I’m on the verge of losing my mind! Thanks

Anyone?? :(

Baby arrived?!
I actually lost my mucus plug a week before I went into labour with dc1, bloody show about 1 hour before she arrived. (Bloody show and mucus plug two different things)
With the second I never knowingly lost the mucus plug, but bloody show about 1 hour before she was born.
Both kids I was only in active labour for about 3 hours.

For me, I had my baby just under 48 hours after my bloody show. Good luck! X

Thanks so much for your responses. Now 10 days over and absolutely no signs of labour apart from pelvic pain and braxton hicks which I’ve been having for weeks now. It’s just so demoralising, I sort of assumed that I’d go into spontaneous labour this time round because that’s what happened last time, so
I’m not really mentally prepared for an induction or any form of intervention. Just gutted that my body seems to be doing all the “right” things but nothing is happening!

A lot can happen in 4 days!
I was scheduled in for a sweep with number 2 (who had no shows or mucus plug loss, didn't even break waters until the push before she came or even braxton hicks) scheduled for 40+10 but ended up going spontaneous out of nowhere at 40+9, they called up asking why I didn't make the appointment 😂😂
Enjoy the last few days of pregnancy! It will happen x

Hey! My first baby I didn't have any sweeps (very much wanted to wait for spontaneous labour). I lost my mucus plug early evening (maybe around 5pm ish) and went into labour that night (contractions started maybe around 10pm ish) with DD born next day. She was born at 41 weeks by NHS dating (slightly over due date by my IVF dates).

I'm currently 40+1 (NHS dates, 39+5 IVF due dates) with second baby. Also hoping not to have any sweeps, but been considering doing it this time if I get to 41 weeks as I'm hoping for a home birth. No sign of labour yet.

Also just to second that mucus plug and bloody show can be different - I lost bits of mucus plug in both pregnancies for a few weeks at the end. It was last of mucus plug with bloody show I should have really said above with DD that I experienced before labour started.

So I ended up having another bloody show last night (much “bloodier” compared to the last one, which was more pink tinged mucus). My pelvic pain also really ramped up and I had cramps, but today I’m back to mild cramping and Braxton Hicks again, no sign of labour despite losing more bits of bloody show this morning. On Thursday I’ll be heading into day assessment to discuss induction options. Gutted as I had a home birth planned but I really don’t think I can stand being pregnant anymore, the pain and discomfort is too much and at 41 + 4 I’m so so miserable.

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. It's awful when it's so close to the end! Hopefully you go into labour before then xx

@Kathleen995 Hoping labour comes on later today for you!

How are things @Kathleen995? X

Delighted to report that our wee baby boy arrived on 8 October at 10pm, contractions began about half an hour after my last post 😅 he was born at home in the birthing pool with no complications which I am delighted about. Thanks so much for all your advice and reassurance, sooo relieved he’s finally here ❤️

@Kathleen995 aww I've only just seen this! Congratulations!! So happy you got to have the birth you wanted xx