Is labour close (39 weeks 2 days)?

Last night I was having big time Braxton Hicks contractions and cramping quite badly. This morning, I'm almost positive that I've lost my mucus plug. Sorry for TMI, but I could feel it hanging out of me and it was a big snotty looking thing. The baby has also dropped overnight (!) and I'm feeling a lot of pressure in my pelvis and rectum areas. My back is also very sore. I've read that these are symptoms of labour, but I'm so exhausted with everything being a false symptom that I thought I would ask your advice. Thanks!