Vaginal Bleeding in Late Pregnancy (37 Weeks): What to Do?

Question
Hi,  I plan to call my own OB shortly but wanted to get your opinion.  I am 37 weeks pregnant and I have 2 cerclages in my cervix.  I noticed some red vaginal bleeding on the tissue when I wiped this morning.  It took about 3 or 4 wipes before the toilet paper was clean.  I have not had any blood since.  It was fairly light, only on the toilet paper.  There was not a lot of mucus with the blood.  I have not been having contractions.  Is this something to be concerned about or is it probably the beginnings of the mucus plug (even though there wasn't much mucus)?  Or could my placenta be tearing away or something?

Answer
At 37 weeks gestation, any bleeding, such as you describe, is most likely due to a "bloody show", which is the beginning of the mucus plug starting to come out. It only means that you will probably go into labor within a few weeks. It does not necessarily mean that you will go into labor right away and it does not indicate a tearing of the placenta (abruption or separation of the placenta). If you are not bleeding heavily, do not worry about it.