Mucus Plug & Contractions: Understanding Labor Progress

Question
I started passing my mucus plug with bloody show since friday morning 8/25.im only 1 1/2cm dialated and about 70% effaced. And it followed with very strong contractions startin sat at 3am the contractions lightened up a bit throughout the saturday but soon returned again in the middle night on sunday and were 8-10 min apart lastin for 45 sec to a 1min.10sec. and havent really let up. They are very painful tightness and cramping back 2 front and all throught my abdomen. my due date is today but am i closed to bein in labor?Am I in labor? I want to go to the hospital but dont want to be sent right back home?

Answer
Hello,
 It's possible you have already gone to the hospital. I apologize for the delay in my answer.

You may be in very early labor.  Some women experience what is called prodromal labor, that is a very long early labor when thing are very slow to get going.  It's not unusual and can be really frustating.

At the very least you can go to the hospital to get checked and they may send you home.

If that happens try to rest, eat, drink plenty of fluids, take walks if you feel up to eat.  You don't want to be in the hospital during a long slow early labor.

Hope all is well.