"Unplugged"

****WARNING******************************
I feel obligated to give the TMI warning...
continue at your own risk.......
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So I am still progressing... how do I know?

Well, tonight I lost my mucus plug. Interesting to say the least when you weren't expecting it. I was still having some bleeding from Monday's (wait that was just yesterday) exam of the cervix. That's also weird since you spend your whole pregnancy knowing you shouldn't see any blood.

I should have known something was up. The last few times I went to the restroom last night were different down there and then...SURPRISE, what the hell is this huge goober?

I didn't know a lot about mucus plugs so after telling Clay what had just transpired, it was time to consult Dr. Google. He wondered what it meant. All I could say at first was that it meant my body was progressing and continuing to prepare for the big show.

According to numerous sites (and everything on the internet is true, right?) you shouldn't be worried about losing the plug as long as you are 36 weeks gestation. Well, I was 35 weeks and 6 days and like 21 hours (since it was like 9pm) which is close enough for me. The articles also mention that labor is not imminent immediately but it is definitely LOOMING. The time estimates, since there is no EXACT science about when you will go into labor, say labor is usually within 1 to 2 weeks. (Here's hoping for the within 1 week mark.) I did also ask a few friends (to remain nameless for their protection) about their pregnancies and mucus plugs. One didn't recall losing hers (which Dr. Google said is actually common since you can lose it slowly over a few days instead of one big goober) and the other two both lost theirs within ONE week of deliver. ONE week people! OMG! So it appears Little Bean isn't going to be staying in utero until mid to late Jan. I'm expecting a Dec baby or a very early Jan one. Good thing our bag for the hospital is packed and ready and the car seat is in the car. Now I just have to prepare Clay for an "early arrival" and comfort and convince him that everything will be okay if Little Bean comes early. Babies come when babies come and you can't control it.

Just a little lesson about the mucus plug that I found interesting...the mucus accumulated early in pregnancy and has been a beneficial protective barrier against infection between the outside world and Little Bean. The plug is lost as the cervix dilates and effaces (thins) and the plug is no longer large enough to remain in place. Therefore, I bet I'm more than 2cm or 50% effaced now ;o)

On a completely different note, I was talking to Mel about it (sorry you don't remain nameless Mel). She made a funny comment. What feels like a long time ago, I wrote this post about synced up cycles. Well yesterday Melissa had surgery on her nose and nasal cavities to eliminate built up mucus from her sinuses. She put two and two together and said we were synced again. We were now both mucus free... ha! Too funny Mel!!!

Now the waiting game and the anxious nervousness about Little Bean's pending arrival is just enhanced. I can't wait to hold my baby and see his/her sweet little face.