Mucus Plug: What to Expect and When Labor May Begin

Question
I am 19 and March 12 was the first day of my period .  this is my first baby.

Will I know for sure when the muccos plug comes out? and can I still have contractions and go into labor if its not out yet?

Answer
As the cervix softens, the mucus plug that has closed the cervix and protected the uterus from the outside starts to come out. This can be noticed as a pinkish mucusy blob or can look like light bleeding. It usually signifies that labor will begin within a few days or a few weeks. However, you do not need to see the mucus plug ("bloody show") in order to go into labor. As you get to your due date, you will start to have tightenings (contractions) in your back or lower abdomen. These will get progressively closer together. When you have contractions at the level of your belly button that are 3 minutes apart (from the beginning of the contraction to the beginning or the next contraction) and each contraction lasts for at least 45 seconds (stays hard), and all of this goes on for a full hour, we then consider you to be in labor. At that time, you should be checked to see if your cervix has started to open (dilate). Good luck.