is this my mucous plug? (sorry if TMI)

[MamaPan]

Hi all
i have been losing lots of CM the last week or so... quite a lot every day and night. It doesnt have any blood in it though... do you think thisis my plug? or is it normal to have lots of thick CM at this stage? what could it indicate is happening??go on... tellme I am about to go into a v short labour LOL!!!!

[blue daisy]

Hey Pregpan

it could be your mucous plug ...if you want another term for a dinner party it is also know as opeculum (mmm)

your mucous does not have to be blood stained...and some women lose it in one big glob, others over a few days...as in your case. This means your cervix is softening, which is fab news as all the softening of the cervix before labor means that you wont have wait for it all to happen in labor

of course labor could still be 2 weeks away...but at least you know things are starting to happen down there....how very exciting...good luck

xx yogababy

[MamaPan]

Thanks Natalie - I was hoping this was the case... is softening the same as effacing??
Just trying to understand what is going on... I know it could be a way off but good to know some progress! it is all so exciting!!

[blue daisy]

yep softening is the same as effacing...before this all happens your cervix is about as firm to touch as the tip of your nose, and when soft feels like your lower lip...once it is all effaced (100% which means really thin) that is when your cervix can start dilating

[AnyDream]

Oooh Pregpan, how exciting! I've been having *TMI* a few globs as well but just assumed since it was clear-looking that it wasn't the plug...hmmmm never too late to learn!

[Trillian]

Pregpan, this time round, my mucous plug started coming away nearly 2 wks ago and was very different to normal mucous. It was clear, with some of it slightly opaque and very jelly like in consistency. There was no blood in it until this Saturday just gone where I lost the bulk of it and it was pink/bl00dy and sometimes slighly brownish/yellow. I have lost more today and there is no more pink, but it's still brownish/yellow in colour, the consistency is a bit like jelly that isn't quite set yet.

[MamaPan]

well i have just been to the OB and I am fully effaced and 3cm dilated!!! so that CM was part of the plug and after the internal I had some blood which the OB said is the 'show' I have been looking for!!!
Sherie - what you describe re consistency is exactly what I have had over the last week or 2, minus the rainbow of colours!!!

[Queenie]

woohoo, the easiest 3cm ever!!!! Go girl - can't wait to hear!

[MamaPan]

yeah I am loving that - i guess all these niggly pains i feel are more than just aches and pains!!!!
i hope the next 7 cms pass me by as well ha ha!!!

[Roryrory]

Pregpan, I have heard of some women having an orgasm-like feeling while giving birth, so you never know

Good luck honey!!

[MamaPan]

he he he!! i have heard similar things... dont think I will get THAT lucky - I think I have been underestimating the little pains I have been having - so I am hoping that when full on labour contractions start they wont be too bad either (I know wishful thinking).. anyway, i am sure i have a while to go. but maybe this week is my week!!!

[Trish]

Pregpan, sounds like it's all systems go with you hun. That's great news.

Now make sure you get plenty of rest in, I have a feeling your going to be busy in the next day or so

[MamaPan]

still no labour action!!!! i think i got too excited about the 3cms.... still losing lots of cm - blood all gone tho... few mild pains... that's it!!! all the experts seem to think it will be this week but now i dont think so anymore...

[Roryrory]

Pregpan, I know it is hard but try to relax and get AS MUCH rest as possible. That means no late nights and as much sleep as you can (I made the mistake of staying up til 1.30am one night - my waters broke at 5.30am the next day so I got barely any sleep for the next 28 hours!)

[Patooties]

Well, pregpan, you didn't have to wait too long!!!!!!

[Lowe]

Maybe someone can help me then I had a similar thing happen when I was about 37wks and 3days. It was like a big gob of mucus about a 50cent piece but was slightly yellow. Was that my mucus plug or just discharge? I asked the doc and she said it could be a build up of discharge. I am due today and am having little cramps here and there but nothing to run to the hospital for. I never had this with my son, but he was 2 and 1/2 weeks early so all of this is new to me. HELP I'M GOING OUT OF MY MIND WITH WILLING THIS BABY TO COME.