Labor Timeline: Understanding Your 3cm Dilation & Mucus Plug Loss

Question
I was wondering if you can give me an idea about a time frame on Labor. This is my 2nd pregnancy and I delivered at 39 weeks with my 1st son. I went to the doctor yesterday and was dilated to 3cm and 50% effaced and the baby is engaged in the pelvis (0 station). Today I believe I lost my mucus plug and was wondering if with all of these symptoms how long I possibly have until I can expect to go into labor? Thanks for any information you can give.
Sincerely,
Michelle

Answer
There is just no way to predict when you will go into labor based on that information.  Some women can be dilated to 4cm, fully effaced, and still walk around pregnant for weeks, while others can be completely tight shut and deliver a baby within hours.  Even your mucous plug is not a reliable sign; the mucous plug can actually regenerate if you lose it before labor begins!  So sit back and relax, and enjoy the end of your pregnancy as much as you can.  Stressing about it will only delay labor.