Bloody Show?

[*The_Mrs.*]

So almost two days ago I had a pelvic exam and found out I was 1cm dilated 80% effaced and baby was fully engaged. Afterwards I had some spotting which I was told was normal.

Today I wiped and found that I lost my mucus plug.(Very hard to miss).
The mucus plug had a brown tint to it. They say usually that means it is the bloody show.

Also it says most people will go into labor after having their bloody show within 24 hrs to a week.

I have started having contractions irregularly since yesterday.

What do you guys think?

Bloody show or left over blood from exam mixed with mucus plug.

[Fleur]

I'm not sure Jessica I thought bloody show & mucous plug were essentially the same thing?

Either way it sounds as though things are moving along for you! Congrats & good luck

[*The_Mrs.*]

Jasp- See that is where I get confused, because I thought the same thing. Yet, Dr.s say if blood is mixed with it, labor is closer or something. It does not make since. Though I know I lot my plug for a fact. lol
Either way, not long now I hope.

[~Trish~]

You have definitely had a show, whether or not it was caused from your exam is hard to know. It definitely doesn't mean you'll go into labour straight away (some women lose their plugs weeks before going into labour, it can actually replenish itself), but seeing as you are having regular contractions it's possible that labour is not too far away for you

I lost my plug during early labour both times. Most of my baby buddies when I was pg with DS2 had their bubs within 24 hours of losing their plugs. Good luck

[Willow]

A bloody show has always been the start of labour for me, DD was born about 48 hrs later (first baby, long labour), DS was born within about 6 hours.

I've heard the same thing though - if it is purely mucusy without staining or streaks of blood, it usually doesn't mean much. If it is stained or streaked with blood then usually that would mean labour isn't far away (TMI...with DS there was that much blood it was like a period, I actually called my ob because I was a bit freaked out, started having contractions within the hour).

[MamaPan]

i lost lots of mucous randomly in the weeks leading up.. then when my ob did an exam there was lots of blood and she said 'there's your show' - i think it is due to the membranes? i dont know really. i was in labour 3 days later...
i think it is an indicator things are moving but not a sure thing timing wise etc