Implantation bleeding is light spotting that some people may mistake for an early period. Show Implantation bleeding occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining. The bleeding is usually light and may last a few days. In this article, we explain what implantation bleeding looks like and how people can distinguish it from menstruation. We also explain when to take a pregnancy test and see a doctor. Implantation bleeding may initially resemble the start of a menstrual period. However, while menstrual flow will usually get progressively heavier, implantation bleeding will not.
The appearance of implantation bleeding can vary from person to person, but it is usually light pink or a rusty brown. If a person has very regular periods, and implantation bleeding occurs about 2 weeks after fertilization, the bleeding may initially seem like the start of a period. However, there are some key differences. These include the following:
If the bleeding persists beyond a few days, it is not likely to be implantation bleeding. If someone is unsure whether their bleeding is pregnancy-related or a period, they can take a home pregnancy test. These tests detect the presence of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone. The body starts to make hCG once the fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus. Therefore, the production of this hormone will begin just after the time when implantation bleeding might occur. While home pregnancy tests have become increasingly sensitive to hCG, waiting until the first day after a missed period is likely to yield a more accurate result. Learn about how and when to take a pregnancy test here.
Implantation bleeding occurs during the first trimester, usually about 1–2 weeks after a sperm fertilizes an egg. The following is a typical fertilization cycle timeline:
There are other potential causes of bleeding in early pregnancy. An estimated 15–25% of people experience some form of bleeding in the first trimester. Learn more about bleeding in the first trimester here. Implantation bleeding is not a cause for concern. The bleeding is usually light and does not last very long. However, other symptoms may indicate other issues, such as an ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy loss. These symptoms include:
These symptoms can indicate a potential emergency and require immediate medical attention. Implantation bleeding is usually shorter and less heavy than menstrual bleeding. If a person is unsure which one they are experiencing, they can wait a few days and then take a pregnancy test. If at any time during a confirmed pregnancy, the bleeding becomes heavy or accompanies cramping pain, medical attention is necessary. About a third of women experience implantation bleeding in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Here's what it's like—and whether you should worry. When Kristina Jenson*, then a mom of two, had a bit of spotting on her underwear, she assumed she was starting her period. “I kept waiting for it to come,” she says. The light spotting continued for two days, but she still hadn’t started a normal period. That’s when she realized something else might be going on: implantation bleeding. Jenson had also experienced similarly light bleeding in the first few days of her first pregnancy. “I thought, ‘Oh wait, maybe I’m pregnant,’” says the 36-year-old from Burlington, Ont. She was right: Jenson’s third child was born nine months later. What is implantation bleeding?Implantation bleeding is completely normal and occurs about five to 12 days after conception, after the sperm has fertilized the egg and the newly formed embryo continues to travel down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. About a third of women experience it, says Melissa Langlais, a midwife in Halifax. By this point, the inner lining of the uterus has already begun to thicken to support a baby—if there isn’t an embryo, it’s the shedding of this lining that becomes a period. But if there is an embryo, it attaches to this lining and, as this happens, small blood vessels in the lining can break. “This blood can go out of our uterus and then out of our vagina, and this is what is called implantation bleeding,” explains Langlais. Implantation bleeding signs and colourThe blood from implantation bleeding is typically pinkish or brown, but it could also be red. It could show up as one spot on your underwear or the bleeding could last a few days. “For most women, it’s usually much lighter than a period,” says Langlais. You might also get mild cramps with implantation bleeding. If you’re actively trying to conceive, the wait between when you think you ovulated and the expected date of your next period—often referred to as the two-week wait—can be filled with nervous excitement, and a lot of waiting and watching for signs. In fact, many people mistake implantation bleeding for their period, says Amanda Selk, an ob-gyn at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, because the timing of the two is so close. If you track your period carefully, you would likely notice implantation bleeding a few days before the real deal would normally be scheduled to arrive. But if you’re not tracking, if your period is inconsistent to begin with, or if your normal cycle is shorter than 28 days, there’s a high likelihood for confusion. “Some people have very light periods, in general. Some people have a little bit of spotting in the middle of their cycles anyway. And a lot of people also don’t keep track of when their periods are, so they’ll see a little bit of bleeding and say, oh, OK, that’s my period,” says Selk. Because of this confusion, implantation bleeding can often throw off your expected due date, which is what Anita Mason* says happened to her. “I’d gone off the birth control pill about a month earlier, so I didn’t have a good sense of when my next period would come,” Mason explains. She had some bleeding, and thought it was her period. Then when her next period didn’t come, she realized she was pregnant. Her original due date was calculated based on what she thought was her period, but an ultrasound eventually showed she was nearly 14 weeks pregnant, instead of only 11. “That’s why we use ultrasound dating over period dating,” says Selk. Should I be worried about implantation bleeding?The good news is, implantation bleeding is nothing to worry about. In fact, for many women, it might be a joyous first sign of pregnancy. If you think you’ve experienced implantation bleeding, the best thing to do is wait a few days, and then take a pregnancy test. Good luck! Read more: See more on Getting Pregnant // Can implantation bleeding be pink watery?Blood loss during an implantation bleed tends to be light or described as “spotting”. It is mostly pinkish and watery in appearance, though it may also be a brighter red colour or even brown. After lying down for a while or first thing in the morning, the blood may be more of a brownish colour.
Why is my period blood pink and watery?Pink discharge at the beginning and end of bleeding with your menstrual cycle is normal. At this time, the blood is just beginning to flow or is slowing down. It may mix with other vaginal secretions on its way out of the vagina, diluting its red hue. Another possibility is irregular menstruation.
Am I pregnant if my period blood is light pink?Pink or brown discharge or spotting before a period may be an early sign of pregnancy. Not every pregnant person will experience this symptom, but some do. This discharge is caused by implantation bleeding that can happen when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterus lining.
Can implantation bleeding look like a light period?A: The amount of bleeding at implantation can vary between women. Some women may not experience any bleeding with implantation, while other women may have bleeding that compares to a light period and lasts two or three days.
|
Implantation my period blood is light pink and watery
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 en.idkuu.com Inc.
