Bloody show is a term that makes most people cringe. It isn’t something that is commonly discussed at a cocktail party. However, these two words are music to our ears!
Just what is bloody show anyway?
Just inside the cervix lies a mass of mucous. The role of the mucous is to keep bacteria out of the uterus thereby keeping the fetus safe from infection. The mucous stays inside the body as long as the cervix stays closed and hard. As the cervix begins to thin and open the mucus can start to come out. If the mucus comes out in a mass it is called the mucus plug. If capillaries located around the cervix brake during this process the mucous can be tinged with blood. Blood tinged mucus is called BLOODY SHOW. Bloody show can vary from brown tinged (blood that is a bit older) to quite red.
When it comes out and what it means
As the cervix opens and thins bloody show often appears and will also increase in quantity. If the cervix opens quickly we can also see an increase in bloody show. For these reasons, doulas love to hear their client’s report that they have bloody show. Doulas don’t check cervical dilation, but if we hear that our client has had bloody show we have a good idea that the cervix is making some change.
Why I love bloody show
From my experience, when there is a significant amount of bloody show that usually means good cervical dilation is happening. The opposite can also be true, if a woman has no show then her cervix might be slower to dilate. Each woman is unique in the amount of bloody show that appears in labor. I'll go ahead and admit to often asking my clients as they leave the restroom "any bloody show?" or "how'd it go in there, anything interesting?"
{All women should contact their healthcare providers with any questions or concerns about bloody show or any other bleeding or discharge.}
What's your experience with bloody show?
Did you have bloody show in labor? Are you a doula that loves bloody show just like me? Please leave a comment and share your experiences!
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Kerry
September 06, 2017
I had no bloody show (that I know of) with my first child, a boy who I gave up for adoption at a young age. However, with my second (who’s now 2 years old) I had the bloody show a few days or a week at most before I had him. Both times I had to have a C-section because of not dilating “fast enough” part of me wonders what’s wrong with my body thatI can’t have a natural birth :-(