What you need to know about the Bloody Show during Pregnancy

You notice that your underwear has some blood. Could this be the “bloody” show? You may be curious about the appearance of the bloody shows and whether they could indicate that labor will soon.

Experts helped us better understand what the bloody shows is, its causes, signs and symptoms. They also explained how to differentiate it from the mucus plug and what you can learn about the progress of labor.

What is the bloody show in pregnancy?

The term “bloody show” refers to the collection of blood and sputum that occurs as the cervix dilates. This is common for new parents, especially for those who are first-time mothers. Kristin M. Mallon, C.N.M. R.N. is a certified nurse-midwife, co-founder, and CEO of FemGevity. This dilation or opening usually occurs towards the end of pregnancy, as the body prepares for labor.

Omoikhefe Akhiga, M.D. is an OB/GYN with Pediatrix Medical Group, Silver Spring, Maryland. She says that bloody shows usually mean that your cervix is changing due to the upcoming birth.

What does Bloody Show look like?

What can you do to tell if you are experiencing the bloody shows? Dr. Akhigbe explains that the bloody show can be dark brown, bright red or even a mixture of both. It may appear in small amounts or require a pad or pantyliner. It may look like spotting, or the beginning of a period.

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How long after Bloody Show does labor begin?

Anisha Farishta M.D. explains that the timing of the bloody show and labor can vary. She is an OB/GYN in Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. She adds that it is often an indication of imminent labor, but can also occur a few weeks before.

Your bloody show could be one of many signs that your body has begun to prepare for labor. Early labor can be triggered by a variety of symptoms and timings. The first stage of labor can last several days.

Other early signs of labor include: 1

• Lightning crotch” or small shooting pains are common in the groin. This occurs when your baby is positioned deeper in your pelvis.
• The mucus plug is lost
• Contracts are irregular, and usually at this stage.
• Water Breaking

What is the difference between Mucus Plug and Bloody Show?

The bloody show and the mucus plug are both related but distinct. A mucus plug can be a thick glob that is located at the cervix during pregnancy. 3 As the cervix dilates, you may see some mucus being expelled. This mucus can be white, clear or pinkish. It may also look bloody.

Mallon says that both the mucus and bloody shows occur when the cervix starts to dilate. It can be difficult to distinguish between the bloody and mucus show when they occur together. Mallon explains that in some cases people will only experience a bloody display, which can look similar to the start of menstruation. She adds that it is often not associated with contractions or pain, but may occur after they have started.

Should I go to the hospital after the bloody show?

Many parents are unsure what to do after seeing a bloody display. According to Dr. Farishta, if you see blood, you don’t have to rush out and grab your hospital bag. It’s still wise to call a doctor if you experience a bloody show.

She advises that, “in general, if your contractions are strong and regular, but you also experience bloody discharge, you should contact your doctor or go to the hospital for evaluation.” According to Dr. Farishta, if your contractions seem mild and irregular, it is best to wait until they are stronger and more frequent before you go anywhere.

Does it Bleed Lightly or is It a Bloody Show?

You may be curious to know if you are experiencing the bloody display or another type of bleeding. According to Dr. Akhigbe, it is impossible to tell for certain what you are experiencing.

She says that a patient cannot tell if they are bleeding from a bloody display or a light bleeding due to another cause. While the bloody display is often associated with early signs of labor, such as mild contractions or pain, Dr. Akhigbe says that some women experience the bleeding without experiencing any contractions or pain.

She explains that “intercourse, polyps and placental anomalies can also cause bleeding,” adding that there are times when no cause is identified. If you have any questions, it’s always best to consult an OB/GYN.

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Does bleeding during late pregnancy ever cause concern?

In rare cases, bleeding in late pregnancy can indicate more serious conditions such as placental abruption (when the placenta detaches from the uterus before delivery) or a data-component=”link” data-ordinal=”1″ data-source=”inlineLink”/data type=”internalLink/>placenta previa/a> (when the cervix is blocked by either 80% or 100% of your placenta). If bleeding occurs in late pregnancy, it can be an indication of more serious conditions, such as placenta abruption , where the placenta separates from the uterus prior to delivery, or placenta occlude , when the placenta completely or partially blocks the cervix.

Is it the same for everyone?

Don’t be alarmed if you’re at the end of pregnancy and haven’t experienced a bloody period. This symptom is not experienced by everyone. The timing and intensity can differ greatly between pregnant women and even within pregnancies, explains Dr. Farishta. Some people experience a bloody display several days or weeks before the start of labor, while others do not.

It’s important to contact a healthcare provider if there are any concerns or questions about bloody shows or other early signs of labor. Each pregnancy is unique, so yours will also be.