Being pregnant is a wonderful sensation as you are going to be a mother of a baby soon. But it also comes with a lot of pain and discomfort. Bloody show is mucus that comes from the vagina of pregnant women due to stretching of the cervix and uterus. Though it is not painful, but it is highly associated with labor contractions.
This vaginal secretion goes along with some signs and symptoms such as blood clots in your underwear, dark brown or pinkish discharge, mid-back pain, pink or brown discharge, etc.
A bloody show is a sign that your cervix has started to open and is a good indication that you may give birth within the next 24 hours. The mucus comes out from the vagina before childbirth as it helps in opening up of cervix. But how long does bloody show mucus last? We will find the exact and detailed answer in this article.
How long does bloody show mucus last?
The lasting period differs and varies from woman to woman. However, it lasts for a short period of time mostly. Some women experience bloody mucus for a few days, while others can experience it for a long time.
Bloody show is the mucus that comes out of the vagina just before labor. This mucus is pinkish in color and appears like blood on your underwear. Usually, its appearance starts early evening or late afternoon.
It can last up to three days which is normal, but you should consult with your doctor if it persists for more than three days. But if you are not pregnant, then it is an abnormal sign.
If you have been experiencing the bloody show for three days and are still not in labor, you should consult with your health care provider as soon as possible and do some tests to see if there is any other problem.
What happens after a bloody show and a mucus plug?
Bloody show and mucus plug go hand in hand as one comes out after another. As we mentioned already, the bloody mucus is just before labor; therefore, you do not need to worry about it.
After this process of bloody mucus, if there are no further signs of labor, then it means that your body is preparing itself for the process of childbirth. After this mucus plug, you will experience contractions that will be quite painful and start your long-awaited labor.
You may experience cramps like you are getting your period or mild pains that come and go throughout your whole pelvic area. These signs indicate that your body is preparing itself for childbirth. It is not necessary that contractions start immediately after the mucus plug and show. It can take a few days, or it may happen in a few hours.
There are many women who do not experience the bloody show before labor, but there are also some cases where women have experienced this for 20 days. So, one cannot predict how long the bloody show lasts as it differs for different women.
All in all, the bloody show is a good sign that signifies that your cervix is open and ready for labor. You should not be worried about it as you are not the only woman who has experienced this before childbirth.
How much bloody show is normal?
Usually, the amount of blood in bloody show mucus is one or two tablespoons. If the amount is more, then you should consult with your health care provider immediately. The blood color can be pink, brown, or red, depending on if it’s old blood or fresh.
Though bloody show mucus is not considered dangerous, it can be an indicator of some other problem that you should know about. You may have to take a few tests to know the problem once you experience a bloody show.
Bloody mucus can indicate other problems like infection, cervical injury, vaginal bleeding, etc. It is important to consult with your doctor as sometimes the signs are not that easy to understand or predict.
What’s the difference between mucus plug and bloody show?
The main difference between the mucus plug and the bloody show is that blood of bloody show comes from the cervix while the mucus plug may signify that the uterus has been infected.
If there is a discharge of pus or greenish color, then you should go for tests to know what’s going on inside your body. The mucus plug can also indicate other problems like cervical injury, vaginal bleeding, and infection.
Can animals have bloody mucus?
Yes, animals also experience this condition in case of certain diseases and a few infections. However, there is no connection between animals and humans when talking about the bloody show or mucus plug. If you note any such signs, then you should consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Is bloody show normal?
It is a natural process, so yes, it is quite normal to experience the bloody show before labor. However, if you have been experiencing this for 20 days or more, then you should consult with your doctor to know the problem behind this prolonged mucus plug or bloody show.
How long after losing the mucus plug did you go into labor?
The time gap between losing mucus plug and labor is quite short for many women. So, you should not be worried about it if your body does not go into labor after losing the mucus plug.
However, if you have been experiencing this for several days, there might be another problem that can be diagnosed if you consult with your doctor.
Conclusion
How long does bloody show mucus last: After your mucus plug comes out, it is advised to consult with your doctor to get the best possible treatments and medication that will ensure safe childbirth for you and your baby. Also, it is normal to have bloody show mucus before childbirth as it is a natural process.
References
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21605-bloody-show
- https://www.pampers.com/en-us/pregnancy/giving-birth/article/mucus-plug
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/signs-of-labor/art-20046184