Some women don’t lose it at all. This is baby number 4 and first time I’ve lost it (35 weeks) but nothing has happened lol

Absolutely not

I lost one piece and that let enough of an opening to let a leak through that I’m assuming I had for awhile (too coincidental to get a leak at the same exact time my plug comes out) and I didn’t lose the rest until I was 8cm

ETA i didn’t have contractions or anything I went in because of the leak. Your plug can come out in little pieces and regenerate. It’s not like a cork and boom you’re in labor

You'll lose your mucus plug but I've heard of some women not losing it until during. Contractions?