Bloody Show? Stripping Membraines?

[Tiffiepooh]

Ok ladies got a question. Part one what does the bloody show look like? Does it look sort of like snot with pink or blood tinge to it? Part two when you have it how long after should you go into labor? I think I had the bloody show about 8:30 tonight and I am wondering now if my What to Expect book id correct in the aspect that within 24 to 48 hours I should go into labor. Please let me know. I would really appreciate it.

Also I think my OB may of stripped my membranes today without telling me. If she did what would it feel like and will that help with labor along with the bloody show?

[stephy30]

had it done today was not painful at all a lil painful after but nothing too bad
they said within 48 hrs dont know about that it has only been about 7 hrs ..had very lite pink show two times when i went to the bathroom. but besides the reg contractions "false labor" i have been having nothing dif. so here i wait 2 cen dilt. and scraped and frustrated ahhh. i kno baby will come when its ready but like many of you im ready RIGHT NOW  and i think that this a very normal feeling if you are this far already!think of it as no matter what... baby is on his or her way and oh boy ..or girl you will know when it happens for real.

[alaysha]

Yeah but it may have worked since I now think I may be in the beginning stages if labor. So if I have baby tomorrow it will totally have been worth it!

[Cyn_x0]

oh wow I was thnking of asking my dr at my next appt to do it but after reading your post Im scared.. lol

[alaysha]

All I can say is if the doctor stripped your membranes you would know. I just had it done and holy crap is it painful. Never would have done it if I knew and it made me bleed a lot. Like DH had a paniced expression and was like her glove had blood all over it and she had to give me a pad.

[Tiffiepooh]

Thanks for all the info ladies. I am quite sure I had the bloody show last night and im still losing parts of my plug this morning. Think the OB may of done the sweep with out telling me b/c it took a little longer than usual and she pushed up more and was moving her fingers around rather than just checking. I hope that between everything she did and I have experienced last night and today labor will be soon. We will see what happens.

[cocacolapanda]

I just had my membranes striped yesterday at my dr's apt.  It's un-comfortable but for me didn't hurt too much.  I didn't tell a huge difference from when she's checking for diolation.  After having the membranes stripped I had a small amount of red blood right after she did the sweep/stretch (whatever as it has a few different names), then the next two times I went to the bathroom I had some red when I wiped.  Then this morning I had a huge gob of brown old blood.  I have no clue if the brown gob was the bloody show or not.

This is what I just read:
"The reason that this procedure is a natural way to induce labor is because removing the mucus plug as well as disrupting the attachment of the bag of water to the uterus will cause the uterus to contract. Often times, once the mucus plug is removed (which is a thick collection of mucus that seals the cervix from anything trying to enter the uterus), labor starts within 3 days

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/alternative-medicine/articles/16232.aspx#ixzz1116KrZtk"

So I'm crossing my fingers things start up in the next few days.  Now, to add to the question, how does one differentiate between the bleeding from a membrane sweep and bloody show?

[Lizzy_anne24]

Hi I just googled bloody show and got information on how it shows the cervix has dilated and labour can start soon. See if this helps

[alaysha]

Okay I looked it up online for you it doesnt seem like any place gives a super straight answer though.

"The mucus plug is a gelatinous substance that basically "plugs up" your inner cervix, or os. This serves as a barrier against bacteria to help keep your baby safe. You can lose your mucus plug over a period of weeks, with just more gelatinous mucus when you wipe, or it can come out more"whole", looking like a big glob of snot. Your plug can also reform repeatedly. When there is cervical change, small blood vessels (capillaries) break. The cervix is VERY vascular during pregnancy, so the opening of the cervix (or after sex) can create "bloody show". You can have bloody show without an apparent loss of the "plug". Some women never notice a loss of a big plug. It's much more gradual for many women, as the cervix thins and shortens prior to labor Sometimes the plug - or the mucus lost gradually - can be pink, red or brown streaked. This is not really considered "show", but it does indicate some cervical change. Most "show" that occurs happens when women wipe, meaning that oftentimes it's not really apparent on the underwear (it's not a huge amount of blood) Sometimes though this is not the case."

[Lizzy_anne24]

Hi my sister in law is a midwife and explained the bloody show as kind of how u have explained it and said that once u have this labour should start within 72 hrs with my second (vbac) I had the show on the Friday and commenced labour Saturday night. Saying this some people don't get the show til they r in labour. I was having false labour on the thursaday and asked if I had it and when I called the hospital on the Saturday they asked the same question
The mucus plug is different and can be built back but u can start to lose that anywhere from 6 weeks before birth
Good luck and fingers crossed if it was the show a safe and quick delivery

[alaysha]

Im not sure what it feels like if they strip your membranes. Bloody show is just loosing your mucus plug but doesnt really estimate when you'll go into labor since mucus plugs can regenerate. But it means something has changed which is good! I had a little blood tinged mucus after she checked me for dilation once but I think it was because of the irritation to my cervix since im still holding strong. But maybe yours is different (fingers crossed) and youll go into labor tonight or tomorrow!