Labor soon, or just a crampy cervical check?

daisydaisy23

With DS I had exactly zero painful contractions, no sign of my mucus plug, and no dilation past 1 cm until I actually went into labor.  So this is a bit different and I'm not sure what to think!

Yesterday was my 38w appt and I was 3cm.  I was pretty happy to hear that, since I wasn't 3cm with DS until I showed up to the hospital in labor.  I'd also been losing some pieces of my MP for the last 4-5 days.  The doctor offered to do a "light" stripping of the membranes during the cervical check, and I said OK.  It didn't hurt and I went on my merry way.

The rest of yesterday I kept losing pieces of the mucus plug, and last night before bed I started seeing bloody mucus.  More bloody mucus today as well.  I am having BH contrax as usual, and a few crampy ones here and there, but nothing consistent.

It's been 28+ hours since that cervical check...would the cramping/bloody mucus have died down by now if I wasn't going into labor soon?  I'm trying not to get my hopes up (DS was 1 week late) but I have no idea how to interpret this since it's so different from my last pregnancy.  Anyone have experiences to share that are somewhat similar?

Jen4033

WIth DS, my 38w appt (on a Wed) left me pretty crampy for about 24 hours, which I read can be normal after a cervix check (to be crampy for 24-48 hours following one), so I thought nothing of it. Come that Friday, I was starting to feel off & on stronger Braxton Hicks contractions all day - strong, but not really painful at all. Come Firday night is when they became intense & we ended up in L&D in the middle of the night. Labor had really begun.  I did not have a membrane strip, but I'm thinking her check on Wednesday triggered something. DS was born Saturday evening.

From what it sounds like, from my birth experience, you may possibly be starting early stages of labor, but everyone is different & you never know.. it may die down.  If you are - good luck!

FutureMrsCaesar

I had almost your same exact symptoms, except I was only a 'soft 1-2' on Friday then cramps, blood tinged mucous on Saturday, went into labor Sunday night! Fingers crossed for you!

Supergirl2013

Last wk I was 3 centimeters and I am currently 5 days past my due date with nothing but contractions that are very far apart and I've been experiencing this since last wk Sunday. I never had so many false labor contractions in my life and this is my 3rd baby. I'm scheduled to be induced thurs but I'm hoping I go before then. I'm now seeing my mucus plug come out very little after all this time. "Fingers crossed". Good luck to you!!!

daisydaisy23

I like your stories.  Let's keep those coming.  LOL.

kate14

FutureMrsCaesar said:

I had almost your same exact symptoms, except I was only a 'soft 1-2' on Friday then cramps, blood tinged mucous on Saturday, went into labor Sunday night! Fingers crossed for you!

I so hope this happens to me! I went in today and am only 1cm. My dr. said my cervix check was "aggressive" ( thanks doc) and now I have been having cramps since. I lost some more of my baby cork at the dr's office after the appointment but it wasn't at all bloody.

Good Luck!

Jen4033

kate14 said:

FutureMrsCaesar said:

I had almost your same exact symptoms, except I was only a 'soft 1-2' on Friday then cramps, blood tinged mucous on Saturday, went into labor Sunday night! Fingers crossed for you!

I so hope this happens to me! I went in today and am only 1cm. My dr. said my cervix check was "aggressive" ( thanks doc) and now I have been having cramps since. I lost some more of my baby cork at the dr's office after the appointment but it wasn't at all bloody.

Good Luck!

@kate14 - My OB had said she was "going to check me more thoughoughly" since I was so uncomfortable. I never saw any mucus, nor did I see any spotting, but her check surely was a deeper check than the previous ones.  Good Luck to you if that has gotten things moving for you!

Laumb11

I had bloody mucus for about 4 days after my cervical check and sweep.. If you can't time your contractions and they aren't painful I wouldn't be concerned. 

NurseKMM

I had my membranes stripped at 39 weeks, all that got me was 3 days of bloody membranes, no contractions. I was 1cm 50% at that visit. At my 40 week, 2cm 50%, they were stripped again. No blood until the next morning, but the start of back labor that turned into contractions that night/early morning. They were strong enough to make me call in sick to work, and L&D by mid afternoon. DS was born the next morning. Sounds like you might be on your way soon. Good luck.

swirl25

I had cramping after my check last Tuesday (the previous two were totally painless). I did lose a good amount of my mucus plug over the remainder of the week, but still pregnant.