Can a Cervical check cause labor?

I'm 38 + 6 today and just had my appointment. I asked the dr how she felt about membrane sweeps and she said not until after 39 weeks. She continued on with her cervical check, really through. Said I'm about 1 1/2 cm dilated. She could feel baby's head. Well I left and checked on a friends dog and then went home. On the way home my contractions started up again. Once I got here I went into the bathroom and had (tmi) blood in my pad. Not just small spots and wiping I'm still bleeding. I know you can spot after these checks because I have but this is dark red blood. It's not heavy, I would say light period bleeding like. Is that my bloody show? Or should I be worried?