This is also called a ‘show’ , which you will probably notice when you go to the toilet. Sometimes the body ‘cleans itself out’ in early labour and you may notice it then. It can happen any time from several days to a few hours before labour, and is the mucus which has plugged the neck of the cervix during your pregnancy. Remember there’s no set timetable for these things, every woman’s body is different, but contractions usually come shortly afterwards and can sometimes begin at the same time.