Bloody Show VS Mucus Plug… are they the same thing or different? One thing these late-pregnancy symptoms do have in common is that they may mean that your little one will be here very soon!
Bloody Show VS Mucus Plug: How to Tell the Difference
Let’s face it. There’s a lot of weird things that happen to your body during the last few months of your pregnancy. As your body prepares for the labor and the arrival of your baby, two things you can look forward to are “bloody show” and losing your mucus plug.
Don’t worry. They aren’t as scary as they sound, and they are both completely normal symptoms of a healthy pregnancy.
So bloody show vs mucus plug… what are they? What’s the difference? And what is your body trying to tell you?
Bloody Show VS Mucus Plug
Many moms get their bloody show and losing their mucus plug confused. The best way to tell them apart is by the duration of time that you have each symptom.
The bloody show may be a more constant discharge while losing your mucus plug tends to be a one-time thing.
Keep an eye on your discharge and you should be able to tell the difference between the two as they come.
Am I Going Into Labor?
If you are anything like I am at the end of my pregnancies, you may be searching the internet hoping to find out that the bloody show and losing your mucus plug are signs that labor is right around the corner.
There’s some good news and bad news. Losing your mucus plug or having your “bloody show” can be early labor signs! They both are indicators that your cervix is dilating and preparing for a healthy delivery.
But as much as I wish I could tell you that you can head to labor and delivery right now, it still might be awhile. Everyone’s experience is different and these signs mean labor could be anywhere for hours to weeks away.
If you are seeing your bloody show or losing your mucus plug, you’ll want to start looking out for other labor symptoms. If either of these happen in conjunction with any cramping or contractions it’s definitely time to start getting your bags in the car!
What is “Mucus Plug”
Losing your mucus plug can happen any time near the end of your pregnancy. Essentially, your body creates a seal, or plug, at the opening of your cervix to keep any bacteria out and ensure that your baby will be kept nice and safe.
When your body recognizes that your baby is coming out soon, it gets rid of the plug to allow the cervix to dilate. When this happens, your mucus plug will look just like it sounds, like a thick stringy mucus discharge.
It’s usually clear but it’s possible that it can be tinged slightly pink. Bloody show vs mucus plug vs water breaking can all be confusing during this time. But your mucus plug is likely to be thicker and much less fluid than your water breaking and more clear than bloody show.
What to Do if I Lose My Mucus Plug?
If you think that you’ve lost your mucus plug, it’s time to take a deep breath and relax. Don’t get ahead of yourself, because you still may have weeks to go, but it is time to start paying closer attention to your body and its signals.
Some women like to wear some sort of liner during this time to keep an eye on discharge symptoms. If it gives you any peace of mind during this time, it’s definitely worth it!
Losing your mucus plug is nothing to be worried about, but you will want to take extra caution to practice good hygiene to make sure no bacteria gets to your baby. It’s always a good idea to contact your doctor if you have any concerns, but it’s not necessary with this common symptom. Just mention it at your next appointment.
Some things that you do want to talk to your doctor right away about are if you notice excessive discharge, strong odors, or more than a few tablespoons of bright red bleeding.
What is “Bloody Show”
The bloody show happens around the same time and can look pretty similar. It also has a thicker consistency, but it’s got the trademark blood mixed in that you are sure to notice.
When your cervix starts to dilate, it puts lots of pressure on the surrounding blood vessels, causing some of them to rupture. If they do, that is when you will notice a bloody show.
It sounds much worse than it is! It’s really common and actually something to be excited about because it means you are pretty close to labor. It’s your body’s way of saying that it’s showtime!
What to Do After Bloody Show
It’s normal to have some anxiety when you see some blood during pregnancy, but don’t worry about your bloody show. As long as it’s a small amount of blood that looks more mucusy and you are close to your due date, it’s just part of the process.
When you have your bloody show, it’s time to sit tight, relax, and get ready for labor. If you haven’t packed your hospital bags this is a great time to do it.
If you don’t have a bag yet, I highly recommend this darling oversized overnight bag. It’s so cute and has plenty of space for all the essentials!
If you do have any concerns or you think you are having your bloody show early in your pregnancy, you should check with your doctor. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to pregnancy symptoms.
You know your body best, so pay attention to your mom-sense and check in with your doctor if anything feels off.
Bloody Show VS Mucus Plug
So bloody show vs mucus plug… are either anything to be worried about? Not at all! They can be pretty similar and hard to tell apart but both are signs that your body is getting ready to introduce the newest member of your family.
It may be today, or it may be in a few weeks. But even if labor is weeks away, I promise this time will fly by. So get ready!
Aren’t our bodies just amazing?! Congratulations mama, you’re almost there!