[confusedmum]

Hi, I'm currently pregnant with second baby, first one I was induced at 37 weeks due to large baby, being 9 pounds 3.. I'm currently 34 weeks, I have lost my mucus plug, and having a lot of white sticky mucus last 3 days, I am also nearly 4cm dialted, and I think 50% effaced, my midwife said I could chek my cervix myself being very carful and wash hands and wear gloves I could put my fingers in up to the knuckles and I felt like a round bag sort of... was that baby head? Been having back ache but not a lot.. had a few niggly pains but nothing major... how long till labour, or am I in labour and don't feel anything yet... this is all new as I was induced with first and had the drip and they broke my water..

[DoulaLC]

You could go earlier than your due date or you could walk around already a bit dilated and effaced for several weeks still.

If your numbers are from a home exam, and I know of some midwives who will show partners how to check, you should have it confirmed by your midwife. She can also monitor your pains to determine whether they are the start of labour. If so, she would likely want to see if labour can be held off a bit longer. Otherwise, they are likely just braxton hicks contractions which would be perfectly normal to feel more at this point. They are a sign of your body preparing in the last several weeks.

After that, it would be unwise, serve little purpose other than to satisfy your curiosity, and offer potential risk to continue with more internal exams.

[confusedmum]

Thanks for that, this morning I have been having very watery white discharge, do u no what that might be? I've lost my mucus plug and bloody show.. what could it be? Also been up all night with terrible back ache and stomach pains...

[J_9]

If you are having bloody show, you should probably get on to the hospital to be checked.

I, personally, am not a fan of patients checking themselves, or letting their partners do it due to the risks involved. Infection and rupture of membranes are just two of the risks.