Mucus Plug and Labor: What You Need to Know at 31 Weeks

Question
Hi I believe I lost my mucous plug im 31 weeks I went to the hospital and the nurse said I wasn't dilated I've read that losing the mucous plug is a sign that labor is near. Is this true or can I lose the plug and still have my baby when she's due on dec. 19?? This my first pregnancy and im nervous about what might happen.

Answer
Pricilla,
Are you sure it was your mucus plug? It is usually this long stringly brown thing. If you did lose it, it is just something to watch a little closer. Yes, you can continue with your pregnancy, and hopefully get closer to term. It is a warning sign, but not a for sure thing that you will deliver early. You can ask your doctor to do a fetal fibrinectin test on you. It is a test they do to determine if you are likely to deliver in the next two weeks. When your body is going to go into labor, it releases this fibrinectin. A positive test doesn't necessarily mean you will for sure go into labor, but a negative is very reassuring. Your doctor performs this test by taking a sample of cells with a swab from the bakc wall of your cervix. It is very similar to getting a pap smear done. This way you and your doctor can have some piece of mind. Good luck to you!
Suzette