TMI Mucus plug or something else??

Sorry it's long, if you want to get to the point, read towards the bottom, I'm including this because it might have something to do with it though.

I'm 23 weeks right now and 2 nights ago I started feeling what seemed like contractions, and not Braxton hicks, they were strong and painful, but I thought maybe I was constipated so I spent about an hour in the bathroom thinking it was gas pains or something until it wouldn't stop, I tried yoga poses, tums incase I had just eaten too much food but nothing helped and it started to get worse and it was coming and going about every 6 to 10 minutes when it started. An hour later I ended up puking everything out of my stomach and the pains got stronger and closer around every 3 to 5 minutes. I ended up calling my husband from the next room over because he was asleep and I couldn't get up and walk over to get him I was in so much pain. I knew something was wrong. I told him he needed to take me to the Dr. We ended up driving to the ER which is the closest to me but still a 35 minute drive. The whole time I was having strong contractions every 3 minutes lasting about 20-45 seconds. It felt the same as the contractions I has with my 1st pregnany only 23 weeks was way too early! They got me up to l&d as soon as we got there and got me hooked up to check on baby and watch the contractions. They got stronger while I was there. I was in full breathing and moaning mode and it seriously felt like I was dilating about to have a baby. They gave me iv fluids and did a bunch of tests, blood, urine and then a cervical exam with a speculum which they said was going to be more extensive than a normal pap test. It took a while because my placenta is anterior and apparently my cervix or uterus is also at a certain angle. So they were moving the specutum quite a bit and then did alot of swabbing, the test they run to check the fluids to see if I was in real labor. It was hard for them to get the angle they needed but I could feel were the contractions getting worse.

Well eventually the tests came back that I was not in actual labor, cervix closed at 1cm (which is normal for 3rd pregnany) and they had no clue why I was having regular contractions. I threw up some more (I think the pain was making me sick but I'm not sure and they weren't sure either) so they gave me iv Zofran and I was able to sleep for about 30 minutes and eventually the contractions slowed down on there own, mind you this was at 4am, about 8 hrs after they had started. It was a miserable awful night! Especially to go though it and not have a baby in your arms after and not have any endorphin rush, however I am extremely grateful it did not result in having a baby yet as it was just way too early. They think I was dehydrated and trying to do too much, they also said I might be constipated and I'm a tiny person, with a tiny torso and my intestines and organs are very squished and twisted up in there right now. So my job is to rest, drink water and poop.

Anyway, the main reason for my post though is the photo, when I woke up after a few hours of sleep yesterday morning, I tried to pass a bowl movement which was difficult even after laxative, but I looked down and this was hanging out out. I took a Pic because it freaked me out. I've never had so much come out, it was still hanging there and really stretchy. Wondering if anyone has had this happen to them after a cervical exam maybe? I also read that an exam or sex could cause part of the mucus plug to come out.

Well I didn't notice mine with either of my 2 previous pregnancies so I have no idea what it looks like or anything.

Any suggestions whether this is normal or not would be great. Or if I should see my primary Dr. I'm not scheduled to see her again until October 25th.

Thanks!