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Bloody show or show is the passage of a small amount of blood or blood-tinged mucus through the vagina near the end of pregnancy.It is caused by thinning and dilation of the cervix, leading to detachment of the cervical mucus plug that seals the cervix during pregnancy and tearing of small cervical blood vessels, [1] and is one of the signs that labor may be imminent. [2]
Having intercourse or a vaginal examination can also disturb the mucus plug and cause a pregnant individuals to see some blood-tinged discharge, even when labor does not begin over the next few days. [1] A cervical mucus plug can allow for identification of an individual's ovulation cycle and serve as fertility indicator.
Lochia serosa which persists to some weeks after birth can indicate late postpartum hemorrhaging, and should be reported to a physician. Lochia alba (or purulenta) is the name for lochia once it has turned whitish or yellowish-white. It typically lasts from the second through the third to sixth weeks after delivery.
36 weeks pregnant pregnancy stage (TODAY Illustration/Getty Images) Your body: Leg, ankle and foot swelling are common around this time, as are varicose veins , which may disappear after childbirth.
Lightening may occur a few weeks or a few hours before labour begins, or even not until labour has begun. [38] Some women also experience an increase in vaginal discharge several days before labour begins when the "mucus plug", a thick plug of mucus that blocks the opening to the uterus, is pushed out into the vagina. The mucus plug may become ...
This provides a protective seal for the uterus against the entry of pathogens and against leakage of uterine fluids. The mucus plug is also known to have antibacterial properties. This plug is released as the cervix dilates, either during the first stage of childbirth or shortly before. [30] It is visible as a blood-tinged mucous discharge. [31]
The cervix remains soft after birth. The vagina contracts and begins to return to the size before pregnancy. For four to six weeks of the postpartum period the vagina will discharge lochia, a discharge containing blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. [11]
An increase in vaginal discharge is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. The discharge, known as leukorrhea, is usually thin and milky white. However, if the discharge changes color or consistency significantly, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider. [9]