Cervical Check Spotting vs. Bloody Show

So I am 38 weeks got checked. Went from 3cm barely effaced to 3cm 50 percent, soft cervix in a weeks time. I spotted right after my exam and then the second trip to the restroom involved lots of bloody discharge/mucus... could that have been a part of my plug? Also how long do the bad cramps keep on after an exam?... ugh its miserable and tylenol doesnt do the trick. Good news is I will be getting a call with my induction date, shooting for 8/17... so there is an end in sight 😁