Blood stained vaginal loss in labour will usually be a renewed experience for the woman, after 9 months of no periods! The amount of vaginal blood loss a woman will pass in her labour will vary from woman to woman. The following is a guide about what can be normal vaginal loss, but if you have any concerns, you should check with your caregiver.
The blood is usually a small to moderate amount (similar to a period). It can be diluted with the amniotic fluid, so it looks pink, or be bright red or sometimes contain old, clotted blood, making the show look brownish. The blood can also come away mixed in with a thick, mucous
'show'. The show usually comes away as the cervix starts to thin, soften and possibly dilate. All these changes usually happen during the 1
st stage of the labour, so it is not unusual for the mucous show to come away at some point during this phase, normally towards the end.
Some women have a 'bloodless' labour, losing no blood at all until the baby is born and the placenta separates. Others have a small, pinkish loss, as the cervix bleeds slightly during the dilation, and mixes with the amniotic fluid (or waters) if they have already broken. Some women's cervix' bleed more heavily, having a small, constant bright red loss, throughout their labour (usually about the amount of a heavy period).
Towards the end of 1st stage, or 'transition', it is very common for the woman to experience a moderate trickle of fresh, bright blood, coming away all at once, (sometimes mixed in with the
show). This is a classic sign of the cervix reaching full dilation, before the pushing starts, and one that your caregiver would take note of.
NOTE: Bleeding before 37 weeks and / or before contractions start, (if not associated with a show) is abnormal and you should contact your caregiver.