Help! Bloody Show vs. Mucous Plug?

[DomerJen]

Is there a difference? What is it? I had some really red blood come out, but it was mucousy. I feel like whenever I hear about mucous plug it doesn't mean much, but bloody show is more imminent for labor?

[Lizzie9984]

I *think* bloody show is just the MP and blood from blood vessels in the cervix that have ruptured from cervical changes (like dilation)..............

[happydoulamama]

How much was it? Are you seeing it just when you wipe or are you bleeding onto a pad? if it's bright red and you need a pad (soaking) I would definitely call your caregiver. IME mucus plugs have old brown blood, dried snot looking mucus, very sticky all the way up to very runny mucus. Bloody show just means you are having cervical change which can happen at any stage of dilation, and it can vary in shades of red. Have you had a cervical exam lately?

[DomerJen]

Originally Posted by happydoulamama

How much was it? Are you seeing it just when you wipe or are you bleeding onto a pad? if it's bright red and you need a pad (soaking) I would definitely call your caregiver. IME mucus plugs have old brown blood, dried snot looking mucus, very sticky all the way up to very runny mucus. Bloody show just means you are having cervical change which can happen at any stage of dilation, and it can vary in shades of red. Have you had a cervical exam lately?

it was deep red (like heavy menstrual discharge) and a glob fell on the floor. I haven't had an exam. i think i'll call the mw just to be sure.

[mom2tatum]

Good luck, Jen! Let us know what the mw says and what happens! How exciting! (I have no input on the MP and blood thing, since I've never had that happen, though I've heard it varies in look.)

[liliaceae]

How is everything? Did you talk to your mw?