Implantation bleeding and cramping are experienced by 1 in 3 pregnant women. It’s very common and can be misinterpreted as either period or as miscarriage. Therefore in this blog, we are going to talk about the why and how of Implantation bleeding and answer all the questions you have.
What is implantation bleeding?
Implantation Bleeding is characterized by very light bleeding or spotting accompanied by light cramping, which occurs when the embryo attaches itself to the walls of the uterus. Progesterone is the hormone responsible for the thickening of the line of the uterus.
Progesterone production starts after ovulation is over so as to provide the embryo with a safe space to stay in case the egg is fertilized during ovulation.
The fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. Endometrium should have an appropriate amount of thickness so that the egg could fertilize properly. When the egg does get fertilized the resulting embryo forms a tissue around the egg called the trophoblast. This tissue is responsible for damaging the uterine lining when it attaches. This is when slight bleeding occurs.
When does implantation bleeding happen?
Implantation Bleeding happens 10-12 days after ovulation i.e. around the same time of periods. It happens so early that pregnancy tests will not even show positive for HCG levels. This is the reason why most women confuse it for their periods.
Most women don’t even experience any symptoms until a few days after implantation bleeding ( a week or so). This is because egg implantation is the first step. You can’t have any pregnancy symptom unless the embryo is actually present in the body.
If you have had sex 1-2 months before the bleeding occurs, then it’s unlikely that you are experiencing implantation bleeding.
Implantation Bleeding Or Periods? 5 Distinct Ways to Know the Difference Between the Two
Color:
Menstrual Blood flow is generally bright red and looks like fresh blood. It is also more thick and sticky in texture. Implantation Bleeding, on the other hand, is brownish/ pinkish in color. If it’s dark brown then it means that the blood has been in the uterus for a longer time.
Most of the girls would be able to differentiate the color because implantation blood flow is darker and less sticky than what they usually have.
Implantation bleeding generally doesn’t result in blood clots and doesn’t get heavy with time like menstrual bleeding.
Duration:
Implantation Bleeding is actually just spotting which is not continuous and could go away for a few hours before visiting you again the next day.
It lasts for just 1-2 days (approximate time which fetus takes to implant itself in the uterus and for the first time ever depend on your body for nutrients and survival).
Menstrual Bleeding is continuous and doesn’t stop for around 4-7 days. It turns into spotting by the end of your period cycle.
Cramping:
You might experience slight cramping, which is either equal to or less than the intensity of period cramps. It’s because the fetus is accommodating itself in the uterus. Keep in mind that unbearable cramps are not normal and should be checked with your doctor. Severe cramping could mean ectopic pregnancy (around 1 million cases in India per year) or miscarriage (around 10 million cases in India per year).
Basal Body Temperature:
In the second phase of menstrual cycle, the basal body temperature rises above 98.6oF and stays the same for about 2 weeks whereas if implantation occurs basal temperature drops below 98.6oF and rises sharply afterward.
Timing:
Implantation Bleeding generally happens before your period is due and is thus the first sign of pregnancy.
When to worry about Implantation Bleeding?
Worry if
- The bleeding is rather heavy with clots.
- You know you are pregnant and the bleeding just doesn’t go away or recurs after a while. Bleeding after the seventh week of pregnancy is responsible for 50% of the miscarriages that happen.
- You are experiencing severe cramps (doesn’t matter if the bleeding is less or none at all)
What if I don’t have any Implantation Bleeding or Implantation Cramps?
It’s okay. As mentioned above only 30-40% women experience implantation bleeding. Implantation Bleeding has nothing to do with healthy implantation or a healthy pregnancy. It’s just a common symptom and you don’t have to worry if it doesn’t happen.
What are some other early signs of pregnancy?
Implantation Bleeding/ Implantation Cramping is the earliest sign of pregnancy. Other symptoms which might occur after 3-4 days are sore breasts, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and headaches.
The best way to make sure that you are pregnant or not is to take a test. Make sure that you take pregnancy test 1-2 days after your period is due and then again after 3-4 days (HCG doubles every 48-72 hours).
Take the test in the morning as the morning urine is high in HCG. Liquids could interfere with the dilution if you take it any other time. Let the test sit for around 2-3 minutes on a horizontal surface before checking the results.
Don’t forget to check with your doctor if you feel anything in your body is off-target.
Tell us your first symptom of pregnancy. How did you know that it’s time to the pregnancy test? Mention them in the Comments Section Below.