I have yet to lose my mucus plug...?

Question

I'm 39w3d pregnant. As far as I know, I still haven't lost my mucus plug. I have been feeling a little crampy today. I am a first time mommy and therefore don't know what contractions feel like, but everyone keeps saying "you'll know!". These cramps aren't strong enough to be the "you'll know" contractions. My concern is that I live two hours away from the hospital and want to be able to get there in time. I never worried before because my doctor and I both believe I will have around a 12 hour labor, but people keep telling me things like "what about silent labor" and "oh my gosh, why aren't you going to stay ahead of time?" I feel relaxed, I just want to get there in time and have my doctor deliver my daughter. I'm just wondering, based on experience what do you think of all this? and what could this cramping be? PS I'm well aware that this pregnancy could go on another week or two!

Answer 1

some women lose their mucus plugs and some don't but from what i was told even though you do lose it doesn't mean that you are going to go into labor right then and there. it could be anywhere from hrs. to weeks before you have your baby! but in my opinion contractions feel like the cramps that you are having during your period. they will be weak at first but if they get stronger and more consistent especially when you walk around i would call your dr. i was told that if they were 3 to 5 min apart consistently to call or go to the hosp. especially if your water breaks! good luck!

Answer 2

Some women never lose their mucus plug and some women have to have their water break for them. Contractions feel a bit like a wave of pain. The pain builds until it reaches its crest and then subsides. As time goes on, the contractions will increase in intensity. Usually, you'll want to head for the Dr. when your contractions become a few minutes apart. In your case, you may want to consider leaving a little earlier.  

Answer 3

I had two children and I never lost a mucus plug either time. With my second child, I felt contractions from time to time for about a week before she was born. As a result, I didn't know when it was time to go to the hospital. About three hours, the contractions began intensifying but they weren't really strong enough to warrant going to the hospital. In fact, I decided to go to bed instead (this was well after midnight). About a half hour before she was born, they became very strong but by then, I knew there was no time to get to the hospital safely unless my husband was willing to drive like an idiot. We took our chances at home. He called 911 and was guided through the delivery. Another odd thing about this birth was that it was a dry birth. No fluid ever came out. I wasn't even leaking it before she was born.

Answer 4

Out of 4 pregnancies I only lost my mucus plug with one, She was born 6 hours later, I have been told you can lose that hours, days, even a week before. My water never broke with any of them. The doctor always broke it. As Desiree said contractions come in waves. If you don't feel "right" and you can't get comfortable, in example laying, sitting, walking, ect then you really do need to see or at least call your dr. Most of the time you really can tell a difference in the pains. I don't know what else to say, but good luck and please if you don't feel right just call your doctor. I know it's a long drive, but better to be safe than sorry.

Hope it helps.

Bethany