Know All About Implantation Bleeding: Symptoms & Treatment

When couples plan to conceive, they look for many signs to confirm pregnancy. Some women experience implantation bleeding, which is an early sign of pregnancy. This can occur even before taking a pregnancy test which usually shows positive results after 8 -10 days. So, what is implantation bleeding, and when does it happen? Continue reading to find out.

What Is Implantation Bleeding?

Successful fertilization results in the formation of the embryo by the union of egg and sperm. After this, the embryo starts dividing and growing, signalling the body to prepare itself for pregnancy. In this process, the layer of the uterus called the endometrium evolves. It thickens during the menstrual cycle to prepare itself for pregnancy and then grows stronger to nourish the embryo for nine months.

The fast-growing embryo moves down the fallopian tubes to the uterus from six to twelve days after fertilisation. The inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, has enough nutrients to support the embryo. Therefore, the embryo attaches itself to the endometrium and becomes dependent on the mother’s body. This process is called implantation. When implantation happens, the embryo ruptures some blood vessels, which causes bloody discharge from the vagina, which is called implantation bleeding.

When Does Implantation Bleeding Happen?

Implantation typically occurs 6-12 days after ovulation or fertilisation. This is usually the time for a woman to expect to menstruate. A point to remember is that their menstrual cycle and implantation bleeding window can overlap for some women. Because of this, it is critical to differentiate implantation bleeding from the first day of their periods.

Symptoms Of Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding looks like light spotting blood, and fresh bleeding can be a shade of light or dark red. Blood can also look pink or orange if it is mixed with other vaginal discharge. A couple of key differentiating factors between menstruation and implantation bleeding is the amount of discharge and the number of days the bleeding lasts.

• Brownish or pinkish blood.
• Blood flows more slowly and isn’t as long-lasting as your period.
• Mild cramps or none at all.
• Unlike during your period, you won’t observe any blood clots or tissue in the blood.

So, if what you face right around the time you expect your period is bright or dark red blood and is a full flow in filling up pads and tampons, it is highly unlikely that what you are experiencing is implantation bleeding.

However, if your menstruation is shorter than normal, you did not fill up pads or tampons, it was more pinkish/brownish than red, and you had less cramping than normal, you may be having implantation bleeding. Make sure to take note of the colour and consistency, as well as the time of your bleeding. These are details you should share with your doctor for a diagnosis.

How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last?

It can vary from woman to woman. Implantation bleeding can continue anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. It can be an amount of blood that you can wipe off with a square of toilet paper, a few times on a pantyliner, or it could be a light flow for one, two, or even three days. Generally, this duration can be longer for first-time mothers and shorter for mothers conceiving for the second time as their bodies have adapted themselves or have gotten ‘used to’ implantation.

Some Important Facts About Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding is mild vaginal bleeding that occurs 10 to 14 days after conceiving a baby in some women. It may appear to be a light period, but it’s actually an early indicator of pregnancy. It’s not harmful, and there’s no need for therapy.

How To Recognize Implantation Bleeding?

The implantation bleeding colour is more likely to be pinky-brown. Menstrual bleeding, on the other hand, may begin light pink or brown but quickly turn blood red.

How Much Do You Bleed During Implantation?

The amount of bleeding is generally minimal during implantation bleeding. Typically, implant bleeding lasts little more than one day. Women may only have a few hours of spotting and nothing more in certain circumstances. A single spot of blood and discharge may occur in some women with no further symptoms.

What Color Is Implantation Bleeding?

The colour of implant bleeding is more likely to be pinky-brown.

How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last For?

It normally lasts 1 or 2 days, unlike menstruation.

Treatment Of Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding is a common symptom of pregnancy. However, there is no need for therapy, and it normally resolves within a few days without the need for treatment. If the bleeding is very heavy, it might indicate menstruation or a pregnancy problem.

A Word of Advice

Since implantation bleeding is a sign that can often occur before you test positive on an actual pregnancy test, it can be easily confused with light bleeding, which occurs before the start of your menstrual cycle. And unfortunately, there’s no conclusive way to find out. The best way to confirm you are pregnant or not is to wait a few more days and take a pregnancy test.

Also read: What You Need To Know About Bleeding During Pregnancy

#pregnancymustknow

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