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8 Serious Signs of Early Implantation (Before Missed Period)

📅 February 6, 2023📖 9 min read
Implantation Signs

Implantation signs are the first thing every woman looks for when trying to conceive. Signs of implantation are vast and can include everything from bleeding to cramps and discharge.

The following are typical signs that implantation has occurred.

1. Implantation Bleeding

Bleeding is one of the most accurate signs of pregnancy, but it is only seen in 1 out of 3 women. In fact, many women won’t even realize that the spotting is implantation bleeding and not the start of their period.

This bleeding is normally not:

Light pink or even a brownish color may be present when implantation blood is seen. This blood will not have the same amount of flow as a period in most cases.

Some women do experience heavy implantation bleeding, and the easiest way to differentiate between implantation and period blood is by its consistency. Blood from implantation does not clot, and it will be on and off.

Women can expect this to last hours, or up to 4 days. Spotting is most common with implantation.

2. Implantation Cramping

One of the most common implantation symptoms is cramping. These cramps are often more mild than period cramps and should not be so bad that you wince over in pain. Mild in nature, these cramps will only last a short period of time with many women experiencing them for just 5 minutes.

If you feel any severe pain, it’s a smart choice to see a doctor.

3. Breast Tenderness

Immediately after implantation, the body begins to change. These changes occur rapidly and will gradually increase as a woman is expecting.

Breast tenderness is a symptom that is common from the fast change in hormones. Hormones will increase, leading to:

  • Swelling
    • Soreness
    • Tenderness

Breasts will begin to be sore just days after conception, with most women experiencing sore breasts within 7 days after their ovulation period. Note : Tender breasts is common for most women during their menstrual cycle and lasts 1 to 2 days. Breasts will remain sore throughout the majority of the pregnancy, and the tenderness will not go away within a day or two – it will linger.

Breast tenderness is one of the most common and accurate signs that a woman is pregnant. If the breasts are tender, a pregnancy test can be used to determine the likelihood of being pregnant.

4. Increased Basal Temperature

A high basal body temperature (BBT) is used as a way to determine pregnancy. The temperature must be charted during the course of trying to get pregnant to tell if a sharp rise has been seen.

Due to progesterone increasing in the body, the BBT will rise and remain high until the progesterone levels decrease. BBT temperatures may rise to 37.4C – 37.5C during pregnancy.

5. Cervical Mucus Changes

Cervical mucus is one of the immediate signs of implantation. The mucus will change in consistency, color and flow when a woman is pregnant.

A few indicators are:

  • Mucus that is consistently white.
    • Heavier mucus levels.
    • Extremely slippery mucus.

Mucus increases due to an increased blood flow to the vagina. Pregnant women will have this mucus level increase to the point that their underwear is often wet as a result.

Women will need to examine their cervical mucus by using a finger or the tissue method. Mucus levels will increase during early pregnancy before lessening as the pregnancy persists.

Confused? Keep reading Cervical Mucus 101,or Why use mucus to predict early pregnancy?

6. Missed Period

One of the most accurate signs that major changes have occurred in the body is a missed period. There are various reasons why a period can be missed aside from pregnancy, but if you have any of the symptoms listed and a missed period, there is a good chance that you’re pregnant.

Missed periods are often close to conception within a week or two from the time when women are most fertile. It’s very important that if a period is missed, a test is taken so that you can take the necessary steps to have a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Professionals recommend waiting until the day after your missed pregnancy to take a pregnancy test. This is the time when the test will be most accurate.

If a test is negative, wait a week before taking another test. In the event that you missed your period and one or many of the other symptoms are present, make an appointment to see a physician.

This will allow you to have a thorough medical exam, ensure that you don’t have an underlying medical issue, and also verify the pregnancy test.

7. Frequent Urination

Within the first weeks to a month of being pregnant, frequent urination will occur. This isn’t much of an early pregnancy indicator, but it is an indicator that a woman may be pregnant.

The body is undergoing massive internal changes and making room for the baby to grow inside of the body. As the baby forms – even when it is the size of a pea – it will start to put pressure on a woman’s bladder.

This pressure means that a woman will start urinating more frequently. When the baby develops more, fluids are retained and flushed out of the body quickly, resulting in frequent urination.

The bladder will also have less room to expand in the body, causing urination to occur faster because the bladder will get full faster.

8. Food Cravings and Aversion

Implantation signs include food aversion. This occurs because a woman’s body will produce excess hormones when implantation takes effect.

These hormones will alter a woman’s taste-buds, often resulting in her liking foods she didn’t like before, or disliking certain foods that she used to prefer. Food cravings and aversions do not happen immediately.

For this implantation symptom to be valid, it must occur 7 days or more after a woman’s ovulation cycle has come to an end. If a woman is still ovulating, do not expect food tastes to change at this time.

There are numerous implantation symptoms and signs, but some women won’t experience any noticeable changes. Every woman is different, so signs should be considered valid only after a pregnancy test has confirmed the pregnancy.

Other Implantation Signs and Symptoms

Dr. Chloe Acevedo, an OB-GYN from Atlantic Medical Group Women's Health in New Jersey, mentions that along with sore breasts, nausea, darkening of the areolas, fatigue, headaches, bloating, mood swings, a metallic taste in the mouth, and changes in appetite, are also considered as symptoms of implantation.

However, these symptoms are often associated with early pregnancy and can sometimes be mistaken for PMS symptoms, which are vague and non-specific. Hence, the only way to confirm pregnancy is through a pregnancy test.

The following is an in-depth look at these symptoms, which are more indicative of early pregnancy rather than implantation.

Sore breasts

After implantation, an increase in hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and hCG can make your breasts sensitive to touch, which usually occurs 1-2 weeks after conception and feels more pronounced than normal PMS-related soreness.

Nausea

The digestive system slows down during pregnancy, leading to nausea, constipation, and indigestion. Hormones like progesterone and hCG, as well as heightened sense of smell, are also contributing factors.

Darkening of the areolas

Pregnancy hormones affect the nipple cells, called melanocytes, causing them to darken, which can happen early in pregnancy, although the change may occur later for some individuals.

Fatigue

The body requires more energy to grow a baby, which can result in feeling more tired than normal, due to the rise in progesterone and increased blood production.

Headaches

Tension headaches, even for those who don't usually experience them, may be caused by the surging hormones and increased blood volume.

Bloating

Rising progesterone levels can lead to bloating, similar to what one might experience during PMS.

Mood swings

Pregnancy hormones can lead to extra moodiness, just as PMS can cause extra emotional sensitivity before a period.

Metallic taste

The rise in estrogen levels can result in a bitter metallic taste in the mouth, according to Dr. Acevedo.

Changes in appetite

After getting pregnant, it is common to experience a shift in taste preferences, such as aversion to coffee or certain foods.

In conclusion, implantation symptoms can often be mistaken for PMS symptoms, but it's important to note that the only way to confirm pregnancy is through a pregnancy test. From sore breasts to mood swings and everything in between, these symptoms can give you an idea of what to expect in early pregnancy.

So, if you suspect you might be pregnant, don't hesitate to take that pregnancy test and embark on the exciting journey of parenthood!

References

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