Just wondering... do you HAVE to lose your mucus plug before you go into labor? Or do some people start early labor…

When I got induced I was in labor first with contractions 1 minute apart and didn't lose my mucus plug until the next morning before my water brpke

With my first, I didn't lose it until I was in the hospital after pitocin was started.

I lost mine weeks before going into preterm labor at 34 weeks

@bentleysmomma, did your water break on its own or did they break it for you? @zehmbabies do you remember if you lost more of it right before labor or not? The only reason I ask is because I haven't noticed that I've lost any of mine and just wanted to know if it was necessary before labor starts

with all of mine I never lost it until at hospital but all of mine came early

@egaylep2, thanks! I'm hoping labor starts soon. I'm over waddling around like a whale.

It tore open which we thought it broke all the way but two hours later when she checked me to see if I dilated anymore she felt some of it still intact so she broke the rest open

as the weeks went on I lost more and more with pink tinge to it. it was the day of my shower when I went into labor that I lost a big chunk

@bentleysmomma, @zehmbabies @rebalouise thank you ladies! As it gets closer, I'm starting to feel less and less prepared for what's about to come lol

I read and heard from several ladies that if you have sex and keep the sperm in for a bit like when you were trying to get pregnant that it has a softening effect on your cervix and will help remove the plug. Not far along enough yet to try this but you can bet I will be!