36 weeks pregnant Dialating?

i'm 36weeks and 3 days, and i too experience the same things..this is my 4th pregnancy so my contractions hurt alot. Im still working fulltime as a hairstylist, so from standing alot, i feel more pressure down there..i lost my ucus plug 2 days ago, cause i went to L&D cause my contractions were hurting so bad, and although the werent regular they sent me on home...when the nurse gave me an exam there, i had not dilated 1 bit!! i think her exam made me lose the plug cause i felt this huge wad of ick fall out once i got home... i dont go back to the doc for till Thursday so as for dilation, i have no clue whether or not i have since then ...anyway, I am also having the thick discharge too, and from what ive been told, true labor is near..this is all new to me, since every pregnancy is differnet...bless u dear cause i know what ur feeling