What's bloody show – and is it normal during pregnancy?

What is bloody show?

"Bloody show" is a discharge of blood and mucus that you may see in late pregnancy. It's excreted into the vagina from the cervix.

The blood is a result of some of the blood vessels in the cervix rupturing as it softens, thins, and opens in preparation for labor. (Read more about cervical dilation and effacement.)

The mucus is from your mucus plug, the thick clump of mucus in your cervical canal that comes out as your cervix dilates.

If your mucus plug is tinged with blood when it emerges, it's often called "bloody show." But the terms "losing your mucus plug" and "having bloody show" are used interchangeably.

"When the cervix softens or opens up, the mucus that generally sits in the cervix comes out, and this is what we call bloody show or mucus plug," explains Layan Alrahmani, M.D.Opens a new window, a board-certified ob-gyn and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, clinical faculty and assistant professor at Loyola UniversityOpens a new window, and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.

Bloody show may be brownish, pink, or bright red in color. Because the blood is mixed with mucus, it will look thick, gelatinous, and sometimes stringy.

You may feel some mild cramping at the same time as your bloody show, as your cervix opens.

How long after bloody show will labor start?

There's no set time that labor will start after bloody show, but it's usually a sign that your body is getting ready.

"Bloody show can happen anytime," says Dr. Alrahmani, "but it's usually in the mid- to late-third trimester. It does not necessarily mean you're in labor."

Look out for other signs of labor if you see bloody show. And don't hesitate to call your doctor or midwife if you have questions.

Bloody show vs. mucus plug: What's the difference?

The terms are used to mean the same thing.

The mucus plug is thickened mucus that's collected in your cervical canal to protect your baby from infection. It may come out all at once, in a lump, or it may emerge a bit at a time. If it emerges slowly, you'll notice an increased amount of vaginal discharge over days or even weeks. The discharge may be clear or off-white (if it contains no blood), a little pink or brown, or red.

How much bloody show is normal?

Bloody show is mostly mucus with streaks of blood. If the blood is bright red and enough to soak through your underwear – or require a pad – call your healthcare provider right away. There are potentially serious causes of bleeding in late pregnancy, such as placenta previa or uterine rupture.

Causes of bloody show

Bloody show usually happens on its own when your cervix softens and opens. But it can also be brought on by other things that disturb the mucus in your cervix, even when labor isn't starting anytime soon. These include having membrane sweep (done to encourage labor), sex, trauma (such as a fall or accident), or a vaginal exam.

When to call your provider about bloody show

It can be hard to tell the difference between bloody show and vaginal bleeding. But while bloody show is perfectly normal, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can be a sign of problems, such as placental abruption or placenta previa, according to the U.S. Office on Women's HealthOpens a new window.

If you notice some pink discharge when wiping, it's usually not concerning. But again, call your provider immediately if the bleeding is bright red and soaks your underwear or is enough to need a pad.

Also call if your bloody show is accompanied by continuous abdominal pain or back pain.

Learn more:

• Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
• Braxton Hicks contractions
• When will your baby drop?
• Labor positions