lost mucous plug last night at 31 weeks

Sorry I don't know which forum to post this in but I need as many stories as I can get.

I live in a very rural area and my hospital doesn't have a nicu at all. The closest hospital witha nicu is in Lubbock TX about 2 hrs away. If I end up in trouble or the babies need a nicu we will be transported by helicopter.

I think I lost my mucous plug last night and everything that I've read or heard on it points to delivery within 2 weeks. My boys measure 3 1/2 lbs and just over 4lbs. I would really like stories on losing mucous plugs and how soon delivery was afterwards. How many weeks you were and how long NICU time was. I'm a little freaked, I wanted to carry at least to 36 weeks. I'm concerned for my son if I have to spend a lot of time in the hospital with the babies a state away while he is with my fiance and his family.

Also we don't have any baby stuff yet, my mom has all my stuff from my son 5 hrs away and I had to cancel my baby shower 2 weeks ago cause I couldn't make the 5 hr drive back to where my family and all my friends live. A few friends are driving up with some stuff this weekend but I'm scared I might end up delivering while they visit.

Sorry this is so long and rambling. I honestly have no one to talk to about this and I just want to hear some stories about this. I'm trying not to freak about it.

Thanks.

 

I don't have any advice, but I'm sure there are ladies on here that will have some for you. Have you called your OB to see if you did indeed lose your mucous plug? I would probably start there. I had tons of discharge from about 30 weeks on with the twins...I was constantly changing pads because of it. I had no where near that amount with my singleton. I hope you can get some positive stories on here. I wouldn't fret too much about not having all the baby stuff yet...just get some clothes, some diapers/wipes, formula/bottles (or however you plan on feeding)...babies don't need all the gadgets right at first Try not to stress...sending lots of hugs your way!

 

Definitely put a call into your dr. I also think that your mucus plug can restore itself as well.

Best of luck!!

 

I'd call your OB. I lost my mucous plug really, really early (like at 18 weeks) so it definitely does regenerate. But call your OB, I would hope they'd want to see you and ask him about steroid shots for their lung development, in case they arrive early.

Good luck.

 

I think if your body is primed for labor, losing the plug is a really big sign, but if your body isn't ready, then it may not mean anything. I lost mine at 36 weeks 3 days, and was in full blown labor 12 hours later. It was a really big sign of labor coming for me, but my body was clearly ready. I had been having contractions for days and days at that point. I would definitly call your Dr. and get your cervix checked for any changes. It could be something, or nothing, but I would be cautious.

 

Lost mine at 32 weeks with the boys, went into PTL that was stopped and didn't have my water break until 36 weeks.

I lost part of my plug yesterday for this pregnancy and I'm trying not to worry. I know the plug can regenerate and it could still be weeks. The big difference between losing it this time and last (for me) was that I started spotting with the boys and haven't done any spotting yet this time. My OB just told me to watch for spotting/bleeding and any contractions.

Have you called your OB?

 

Thanks. Yeah I called my dr yeasterday and have an appt tomorrow with him.

 

I lost mine twice once pretty early on and it restored itself and than again at 36 weeks much bigger that time and went into labor and had my boys the next day! I don't want to scare you, but pay close attention to your body for the next couple of days!!!

 

i agree with the posters i lost my plug at 36 wks and went into labour that nite!

 

I am so glad that you called your Dr!! Losing your mucous plug does not necessarily mean that you are going to imminently deliver. I lost my mucous plug at 24 weeks and I didn't deliver until 28. GL! Keep us posted on how your appt goes today!!

 

With my singleton I lost my mucus plug over a month before I was due and then had to be induced at 40.5wks.
With my twins I lost my mucus plug 2 days before I went into labor which was 36.1wks. I had been on bedrest since 32wks and had already gotten both steroid shots. My girls were perfectly healthy and came right into our room and never left. We also had no NICU so that wasn't even an option, they would have had to be flown to the closest one. Let us know how your appoint goes....

 

How did your appointment go? Thinking of you!
reb

 

I lost my plug a full 2 1/2 weeks before I was induced at 38+4.
It doesn't always mean you are going to have delivery soon. My doctor said that we could have gone the whole 40 weeks, most likely. Thankfully, he had plans for that weekend and wanted my babies out so we couldn't ruin them for him... LOL

Call your doctor and let him know but if he is anything like mine he will say, "Oh that's nice, hang in there." LOL

He may also want to check you to see if you are dilating too quickly. Your plug can regenerate itself. It could mean something but it could also mean nothing. Confusing, I know. You are almost done. Finish line is in sight! Great sizes on your babies any way! If you can hang on to them for another couple weeks they will probably go home with you!

 

Kimani, I'm sorry that you're dealing with this stress right now. I don't have any experience with losing a mucus plug early, but I delivered a 29 week preemie in my first pregnancy. That baby is now a thriving and beautiful 5 yo girl with no residual issues! (I hope that at least can boost your spirits.)

It's certainly not ideal to have your babies a state away, but there are always places that sponsor families like yours - who have to be displaced from home while living at a hospital where your children must be. Usually there's a [post="http://www.rmhc.com/"]Ronald McDonald House[/post] nearby or some other place that lets you stay for free or a very small fee per night. I'm sure the NICU would have info on the specifics. (Which state are you in?)

As for having a preemie, every case is different. But every day you hang in there with your pregnancy is a victory for your babies. My 29 weeker was in the NICU for 5 weeks. No major surgeries or issues - just what they call a "feeder/grower" (in the NICU to grow big and strong enough to go home). And know that there are milestones in fetal development that can be an advantage to your boys. For instance 34 weeks is when most babies develop their suck/swallow/breathe reflex, which is what enables a baby to feed by mouth (rather than through a tube).

And don't worry about not having your "stuff" ready yet. If they come early, they'll be in the NICU for a little while. So you'll have time to get your life in order before they come home. One product I'd recommend for preemies in the NICU: [post="http://www.zakeez.com/"]The Zaky[/post].

QUOTE
The Zaky® is the award-winning bonding, therapeutic, and positioning pillow, ergonomically designed to help the baby feel comfortable and protected while assisting parents and their children feel closer to each other.



I hope none of my "advice" is necessary and that you turn out to have a very looooong and boring remainder to your pregnancy!