I am 35 weeks pregnant?

Question

I was wondering when are you supposed to lose your muscous plug? and can you dialate or thin out before you lose it?
my dr. says braxton hicks contractions help thin out your cervix and help dialate you.but before you cervix thins or you dialate do you have to lose your muscous plug?? confused first time mom

Answer 1

Trust your doctor and your midwife.

Answer 2

There is no "supposed to" time with the mucous plug. You can dilate or experience "thinning" of the cervix at any time. Your doctor is correct, braxton hicks do help your cervix thin and dilate. The mucous plug is not always "lost" some women only release the plug at the time your water "breaks". Some women pass the plug and never know it. If you did pass your plug it is a good sign your body is preparing for the birth of your baby. Delivery could still be weeks away. Sorry, I know that probably isn't what you wanted to hear as you are anxious to meet the individual you have been growing inside you. Be patient as it will be here before you know it. Good luck to you and the baby. I hope everyone ends up healthy and happy.

Answer 3

I lost my mucous plug with my first and only ever dialated to a 2, then at 42 weeks I was induced. With my second I didn't diatate at all and never lost my mucous plug, and I was induced at 41 weeks. With my current pregnancy (third) my doctor stripped my membranes when I was dialated to a 1 at my 40 week visit. Then ever since then I have been losing my mucous plug in very small pieces. I have been having lots of false labor for the last 4 days, and have barely dialated any more. I am being induced tomorrow at 41 weeks. I just wanted to point out how everyone is different. And sometimes like me you have to be induced, regardless of loss of your plug and lots of braxton hicks (and I mean lots!). Also you have to be at least a 1 before your mucous plug will come out.

Answer 4

As you near the end of your pregnancy, your cervix will begin to thin out and dilate. As it changes, you may lose your mucus plug and find a gooey deposit in your underwear or on the toilet tissue after wiping. It is not uncommon for this mucus to be mixed with brown, pink, or red streaks of blood from the changes occurring within your cervix. Some women may lose the plug at 36 weeks' gestation, while many others may not lose it until labor has begun. Sometimes moms-to-be may not even notice that they are losing their mucus plug because it happens gradually, over several weeks, and they've already grown accustomed to varying but increased amounts of the vaginal discharge that often accompanies a normal pregnancy. If you are earlier than 36 weeks' pregnant when you see blood-tinged mucus, or if you have any vaginal bleeding beyond the first trimester, you should call your practitioner.
GOOD LUCK< AND CONGRATULATIONS

Answer 5

I am 38 weeks and haven't lost my muscous plug. Don't rush anything this is your first baby and the faster you want it to come the slower it is. tomorrow I will be 39 weeks and I have only dialated 2 1/2, remember you have to get to 10. You will thin out with B.H.C. but to me those are nothing compaired to the real thing. You can dialate all you want but nothing is coming out til you lose that plug. you have plenty of time just hang in there.

Answer 6

Everyone loses their mucus plug differently. Average is a few days to a couple weeks before you have the baby. However some people have the baby within hours of losing it and other people lose it a few weeks before having the baby.

You do not have to lose it in order for your cervix to thin no.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I didn't lose my mucous plug with my first child, but did with my second. With my first son I went into labot with the same strength contractions from the time they started until the time I had my son and they even had to break my water. But every birth is different. My second son was so much easier and faster. I didn't even have an epidural the second time, but you don't even notice the pain "down there" because of the strength of the contractions. I say talk to as many people as you can because each story is different.

Answer 8

I lost the mucous plug with both of my pregnancies 2-3 weeks before I went into labor. I never had a contraction until my water broke and had very short labors.

Answer 9

With my first child I dilated a centimeter a week (4 centimeter 4 days before labor) and didn't lose my mucus plug until I was in labor. When I got to the hospital I was dilated to 9 centimeters...so you never know. But I can definitely tell you that you can be pretty dilated and not lose your mucus plug.

Answer 10

braxton hicks occur a lot during the last few weeks of pregnancy you lose your plug up to 2-3 days before delivery

Answer 11

It is different for everyone. I never lost my mucous plug with my first child and my second one I lost it almost a week before she came! I had Braxton Hicks with both of them. Those do help "get your body ready." It was always hard for me to tell the difference (even with my second one) They say (the doctors) that braxton hicks don't hurt- mine did! So, I say anyone who has never gone through it- their opinion don't count!
By the way, I stay dilated to almost 2 cm with both of mine for the last week before delivery! I wish there was some "exact plan" to tell you of what to expect but there is not. Hang in there. I know it is scary but it is exciting too and you wil NEVER get to have your FIRST one again!
GOOD LUCK and keep telling yourself that MILLIONS of women do this everyday! That is how I got through mine!