QuestionI lost my mucus plug this morning.I'm 38 weeks, 2cm dialated, and 70% efaced. My question is can the mucus plug be so large? Mine was very wide at one end and was about 3 inches long.It was dark brown and a little pink as well. Since I have lost little bits more here and there. I have also noticed a lot of pressure in my rectom and plevis, even with the baby being a bit high. This is my second child and this didn't happen with her.Could I be close to having my baby?
AnswerThe mucous plug can indeed be amazingly big when it comes out all in one piece, and is often shocking when you see it. But that is normal, as is the brown and pink staining; the cervix usually bleeds a little as it starts to dilate, which causes the staining on the mucous plug.
The pressure you are feeling is likely due to the baby dropping into your pelvis. When you say your baby is "a bit high," are you referring to your doctor's assessment? If so, understand that your doctor is examining you when you are lying down. Because of gravity, your baby can float back up out of reach in this position, yet still drop way down into your pelvis as soon as you stand up. If you want to confirm this, ask your doctor at your next appointment if he can check the station of your baby while you are standing, instead of lying down.
As for how close you are, only time will tell. Babies come on their own schedule, and your body also moves along its own schedule for dilation and effacement. There's no way to really predict when labor will start.
