Show is the name given to the blood-stained mucus seen in early labour. Towards the end of the first stage a trickle of blood may appear. Amniotic fluid may be seen trickling from the vagina after the membranes have ruptured.

The presence of mechonium (mechonium is pronounced 'mee-koh-nee-um'). Mechonium (dark-green coloured discharge, which is the first stool of the baby) in the amniotic fluid suggests fetal distress as it does not normally pass stool until after the birth.