Mucus plug @ 37 weeks

Hey mommas,

Ok so I am 37 weeks and 5 days today.

5 days ago, at my 37 week mark, my mucus plug came out (see photo). I started having small and inconsistent contractions so I immediately went to the hospital. At that time, I was told that I was a “loose” 2 cm dilated and my contractions were 15-20 minutes apart. After an hour of observation, I got sent home to let the contractions and dilation progress because I wasn’t progressing fast enough for them to keep me. Fast forward 5 days later, today, nothing has changed in my contractions. They are stuck in a start-stop rotation. They are still 15-20 minutes apart and I have these contractions for 4-5 hours then out of nowhere, they just stop! I have tried just about everything that google recommends to speed up the process and bring me into active consistent labor. I.E.- Walking, curb walking, intercourse, hot bath, massage, deep squats, laying and sleeping on my side with a pillow between my legs, and spicy food.

This is my 3rd child and I have never experienced dilation before labor. With my first 2, I just went into active labor and quickly came from not being dilated to having my baby within 6-8 hours. Also, to be noted, this baby is predicted to be around 9 pounds if he goes full term. My first was 7lbs but was born 2 weeks early and my 2nd was 8 lbs 11 oz and was born 3 days early. (I apparently have big babies 🤦🏻‍♀️). I am at a loss at this point and wondering why I’ve been in pre labor for 5 days straight without any advances in the duration of my contractions.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. If you have any advice or knowledge about this, please share! Google isn’t making sense to me because it is saying that first time moms usually experience this but labor moves a lot faster for subsequent pregnancies. Yet, with me, this is the exact opposite. My 3rd is moving as fast as a sloth and it’s making me worry that something is wrong. Please help!