When you're trying to get pregnant, your senses are on high alert for any indication that you're officially a parent-to-be. One of the earliest pregnancy symptoms can be implantation bleeding, which happens when the fertilized egg implants into the lining of the uterus. About one-third of pregnant people will experience implantation bleeding, according to the American Pregnancy Association, and it often resembles a light period. Here's everything you need to know. Show
When Does Implantation Bleeding Occur?Only about one-third of people experience implantation bleeding in early pregnancy. If it happens to you, it will occur 10 to 14 days after fertilization, says Lauren Barlog, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health at Rutgers NJ Medical School. "It typically occurs around the time of your next expected period." In fact, because of the timing, some people might confuse implantation bleeding for a light menstrual period. They don't realize what it is until a pregnancy test comes up positive, says Zev Williams, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Columbia University Medical Center. What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like?Implantation bleeding will probably look different than your normal monthly period. The color usually ranges from light pink to dark brown (period blood is typically red), and it doesn't contain any clots. Also, implantation bleeding is usually lighter than a menstrual period. Some people don't even notice it at all—or they see a small amount of blood when they wipe. In some cases, implantation cramping can occur along with the bleeding. How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last?Typically, implantation bleeding appears for a day or two (though some people only bleed for a couple of hours). Rather than consistent blood flow, it might be off-and-on. How Soon After Implantation Bleeding Will You Get a Positive Pregnancy Test?If you think you're experiencing implantation bleeding, what's the best course of action? Take a pregnancy test, says Dr. Barlog. Every test has a different threshold for sensitivity, but the absolute earliest you should take one is about four or five days before your expected period, says Dr. Williams. Otherwise there might not be enough pregnancy hormone (hCG) to give a positive result. If the pregnancy test is negative, repeat it in a few days. When Should I Visit the Doctor?Implantation bleeding isn't cause for concern, but if you're experiencing unusual spotting, it's important to recognize when symptoms might require a visit to the doctor. "If you are spotting but also have pain that's concentrated on one side, rectal pain, or a history of infertility or tubal disease, you should see a doctor immediately," says James Segars, Jr., M.D., director of Reproductive Science and Women's Health Research, and a professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Johns Hopkins Medicine. "These are signs that you could have a tubal or ectopic pregnancy, when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, usually within the fallopian tubes." And you also should see your doctor if you've had bleeding or spotting between periods for several months, because you may be dealing with other conditions such as fibroids or polyps.
What is implantation bleeding? Implantation bleeding is light vaginal bleeding that sometimes occurs very early in pregnancy. If you choose to test as soon as you discover spotting, be aware that the earlier you test, the more likely you are to get a false negative. If you notice spotting or light bleeding several days before your period is due, it could be implantation bleeding. Spotting has many causes, so you might wonder how to recognize implantation bleeding. Before you reach for a pregnancy test, see if your symptoms and the timing of your spotting line up. Implantation bleeding is light vaginal bleeding that sometimes occurs very early in pregnancy. Implantation bleeding can happen when a fertilized egg attaches, or implants, into the uterine wall. The egg attaches to the uterus anytime between 6 to 12 days after ovulation. This means if you ovulate on day 14 of your cycle, implantation could happen sometime between 17 to 26 days after the start of your last period. As the fertilized egg settles into the uterine wall, this can cause the lining to slough off and result in spotting or light bleeding. Bleeding can also occur due to changing hormones related to early pregnancy. Even though it's rare, if you have spotting a week before your period is due, you might wonder if it's implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding can be a very early sign that you're pregnant. How common is spotting in early pregnancy?One small study showed less than one in ten women reported vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy. In most cases, the spotting occurred near the date their period was due. Spotting is even more common later in pregnancy. Up to 25% of women experience bleeding or spotting at some point during their pregnancy. Spotting during early pregnancy could mean many things, including:
Spotting in early pregnancy can also be due to implantation. How do I know if it's implantation bleeding?Timing can be vital in knowing if your spotting might be implantation bleeding. Implantation typically occurs 6 to 12 days after ovulation, so spotting that happens as a result of implantation should happen in that timeframe or soon after that. For most women, this means the spotting would take place a week or just a few days before their period is due to begin. Implantation bleeding can vary in appearance, but it's typically:
You might have other early pregnancy symptoms, like fatigue and breast tenderness, at the time of implantation bleeding. Early pregnancy symptoms might raise your suspicions that your vaginal bleeding is due to implantation, but unfortunately, many early pregnancy symptoms are similar to premenstrual symptoms. The best way to know if you're pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. When can I take a pregnancy test?Home pregnancy tests measure the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine to detect pregnancy. Your body begins to produce hCG as soon as implantation occurs. The earliest you might have enough hCG in your system to get a positive pregnancy test is about eight days after ovulation. However, many pregnant women will not get a positive pregnancy test result this early. The amount of hCG can vary due to many factors, including the timing of implantation. A week after ovulation, soon after implantation bleeding, hCG levels can be as low as 5 mUI/ML of hCG. At four weeks pregnant, at the time your period is due, your hCG levels can range from 10 to over 700 mUI/ML of hCG. Home pregnancy tests typically detect pregnancy at hCG levels greater than 20 mUI/ML. Wanting to take a pregnancy test as soon as you experience possible implantation bleeding is understandable. If you choose to test as soon as you discover spotting, be aware that the earlier you test, the more likely you are to get a false negative. A false negative can happen when pregnant, but your hCG levels are not yet high enough to trigger a positive result on a home pregnancy test. The best thing to do is wait a couple of days after seeing implantation spotting before taking a pregnancy test. This gives your body time to produce detectable levels of hCG. For the most accurate results, wait until your period is due before taking a home pregnancy test. SLIDESHOWStages of Pregnancy: Week by Week See SlideshowMedically Reviewed on 1/12/2022 References SOURCES American Academy of Family Physicians: "Bleeding During Pregnancy – What's Normal?" Flo: "Period-Like Bleeding During Early Pregnancy: Is It Normal? Causes and Signs of Implantation Bleeding." Human Reproduction: "Vaginal bleeding in very early pregnancy." March of Dimes: "Bleeding and Spotting During Pregnancy." StatPearls: "Human Chorionic Gonadotropin." UCSF Health: "HCG blood test – quantitative." UT Southwestern Medical Center: "How early can home pregnancy tests show positive results?" |
When to do pregnancy test after implantation bleeding
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