If you’re trying to get pregnant, you’ll want to be looking for early signs that you have conceived. These signs can be very confusing because they are often mistaken menstrual blood, which would be undesirable for a woman trying to get pregnant.
Implantation bleeding, however, is different.
When Does Implantation Bleeding Occur?
There is not an exact day where implantation bleeding occurs. Instead, it is often found 10 to 14 days after a woman’s ovulation cycle.
This is all dependent on how the egg moves down the fallopian tube and eventually attaches to the woman’s uterus. Since every woman is different, this may occur sooner or later than the average 10 – 14 day estimate.
Bleeding may be very little and much lighter than your normal period. Some women note that they do not notice implantation bleeding at all.
It can last for anywhere from a few days, or it can be virtually unnoticeable. Note : Bleeding is almost always lighter than your normal period. If you experience bleeding that is more prevalent than your period, it is not implantation blood.
It’s very important to know that only 1/3 of women will experience this type of bleeding. If you do not experience implantation bleeding, it does not mean that you’re not pregnant.
It may just mean that you’re in the majority of women that will never have this type of bleeding occur. The symptoms associated with a woman’s period will not occur at this time.
These symptoms include:
- Back pain
- Fatigue
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you may just have a late period and can expect your period to come shortly.
What is Implantation Bleeding?
Not to be confused with menstrual blood, implantation bleeding occurs when the egg is implanted in the uterus. At this time, the uterine lining may be released or may be disturbed, causing blood to escape.
Most women will not experience this and they will not experience back pain or fatigue. Instead, what a woman will experience is implantation cramping.
What is Implantation Cramping?
Mild to moderate cramping may be experienced when implantation occurs. This is the sensation of the actual egg while it is attaching to your uterine wall.
It is common and it will happen a week or so earlier than your expected period. This is why it’s so important to chart your period if you’re trying to get pregnant.
Many women experience these cramps and believe it is their period. Cramps may or may not be accompanied by implantation bleeding.
It’s important to note that this cramping may occur well past your estimated period time. This is due to the uterus actually beginning to stretch, causing the discomfort and cramping.
If Implantation Bleeding Does Occur
Implantation bleeding is merely a sign that you may be pregnant. Since there are a low number of women that experience this bleeding, it is not a 100% positive indicator of pregnancy.
One common mistake that is made is that a woman will try and confirm pregnancy with a pregnancy test as soon as bleeding occurs. The issue is that implantation can occur 6 to 12 days after ovulation, which is too early to be positively tested for pregnancy with over-the-counter tests.
The levels of hCG in the body (the pregnancy hormone) are not high enough the moment implantation occurs. In fact, the levels are likely non-existent at this time.
The placenta needs to form for the hormone to start being produced. If you’re tracking your menstrual cycle, you’ll want to wait until a day after your missed period to take a pregnancy test.
Otherwise, you will receive a negative test result that is inaccurate despite the implantation bleeding that occurred. Women who experience bleeding after they have confirmed that they are pregnant will want to consult with their doctor immediately.
Bleeding occurs in 20 – 30 percent of all women when pregnant and is not an issue. The only time that you may need to be concerned is when the bleeding is very dark and red.
As always, contacting your doctor to discuss the bleeding is recommended even when bleeding is light. Now that you know when implantation bleeding occurs and what it is, you’ll be able to use this early pregnancy sign to see if you’ve conceived yet.