Early Baby Head Drop & Mucus Plug: What to Expect at 35 Weeks

Question
I am a 27 year old 35 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child (due april 30). I have two questions I'd like to ask. First, last week (at 34 weeks) after feeling pelvic pressure and small contractions that never increased in strength I went to my ob for a vaginal exam. My baby's head has dropped, she was at 0 station, 50% effaced, and no dialation. My question is, everything I've read say only first time moms have the baby's head drop weeks before labor. Why would a third time mom drop early, and how long can do you think I can walk around with the baby's head this low (it hurts to sit and I've had constant pressure all week)? My second question is, does a mucus plug have to be pink or brown or can it just be clear? 6 days ago while wiping I noticed a huge clear mucus ball (like I blew my nose in a tissue) and through out the past few days there's been bits and pieces coming out. My ob did a swab from my cervix to test for infection but everything came back negitive. Was this my mucus plug even though it was clear?             My other 2 pregnancies were completely normal and lasted 38 and 40 weeks. Thank you for any imput you might have.

Answer
The baby's head can drop several weeks prior to labor in a first time mother as well as in a second time mother or one who has had 20 children. It is more likely to drop earlier, the more children you have delivered. Your mucus plug can be clear, pink, or bloody or it may not be noticed at all. It does not mean that you will go into labor early. You can remain at 0 station and 100% effaced and even slightly dilated (up to 3-4cm) for several weeks before going into labor. When you start to have contractions at the level of your belly button and they come every 6-8 minutes (from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next) and each one lasts at least 45 seconds, and this continues for at least an hour, we consider you in labor. If, then, your cervix is dilated more than 3-4cm, you will be admitted to the hospital. Don't worry. Good Luck to you.