One of the early pregnancy signs is implantation bleeding and this will happen for about one-third of all women who get pregnant. This is actually a lesser known symptom. Keep reading to know more as this article will look at how to recognize implantation bleeding or period.
Although it is not noticeable at all times, this type of bleeding might take place when a fertilized egg is implanted into the uterine wall or lining.
The egg will implant itself six to twelve days after being fertilized by a sperm and traveling down from the fallopian tube and then into the uterus. While this is happening, a very small part of the uterine lining might be released or disturbed.
This small percentage of blood might appear as bleeding or spotting. If you learn how to recognize the sign of implantation bleeding, then you will have an early clue that pregnancy has started.
Implantation Bleeding or Period – How to recognize what do you have
Look at the timing. As mentioned above, this type of bleeding usually occurs during pregnancy about six to twelve days after conception, which is near to the time of your expected menstrual cycle.
Check when you had sex last. If the time is over one or two months, then it is not likely that you are seeing implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding can be confused with the regular menstrual cycle, so some women discover that their pregnancy is one month further along than the original estimated time.
If you cannot visit the doctor to confirm a pregnancy, other testing can be done to determine the right gestational age of your fetus.
Examine the quantity and color of the bleeding. When you do this, it can help you to distinguish between the start of a normal menstrual cycle and implantation bleeding.
The implantation bleeding doesn’t generally resemble the bleeding that occurs in a normal period as it’s lighter in color and low in quantity. At times, this bleeding can be just a single spot or spotting for several hours.
Typically, implantation bleeding comes with a brownish tint or pink discharge. It’s often darker in color when compared to period blood since it takes some time to travel from the wall of the uterus to the vagina. This bleeding is also relatively light and you will only experience it for a couple of days.
In some cases, the flow of blood resembles a very light period. For most women, the menstrual blood color has a more red shade and it will flow heavier within one or two days.
See if you are having cramps. Implantation bleeding is frequently accompanied by mild to moderate cramping as the embryo is invading the uterine wall. Cramping is actually common in this type of bleeding and it might happen as early as 7 days prior to a missed period.
The cramps can differ in severity, some women experience similar ones to menstrual cramps or feel like their period is starting.
As you can imagine, these symptoms can be tricky as early pregnancy signs are similar to what you might feel immediately before your period. In the event that abdominal cramps continue to intensify, it could be a regular period or a pregnancy problem like an ectopic pregnancy.
There are also instances when the pain may be linked to a totally different medical condition like a bladder infection or appendicitis.
Confirming the Symptoms
if you believe that you are experiencing implantation bleeding, You should wait for at least a day after your period is due before taking a pregnancy test.
This type of bleeding can take place very early in your cycle and you might not have sufficient pregnancy hormone to get back a positive test. It is always a good idea to do a follow-up test at the doctor after getting a positive pregnancy result.
When You Should Be Concerned About Implantation Bleeding
As a pregnant woman, you should be worried about heavy, very red bleeding that contains clots or maybe comes with severe discomfort or cramps. Implantation bleeding might take place after artificial insemination as well. If the bleeding continues you should contact your doctor as early as possible.
It also recommended for you to consult a doctor if the bleeding is causing an uneasy feeling or if you have any questions or concerns. You should also get checked out by your doctor if you are feeling any pain that you might not experience during your normal period and is not subsiding on its own after a couple of days.
Aside from those things, you should contact your doctor if have other symptoms such as chills, fever or heavy bleeding.
Approximately 20 to 30% of pregnancies have bleeding during the early stages [1]. If you think that you are pregnant and you are experiencing light spotting or bleeding, it could be a normal healthy pregnancy sign.
References
- Spotting During Pregnancy -americanpregnancy.org [Link]
I had my period April 17-21,2018 but just last week my side have been cramping so bad and my lower back but May 14-16th I was bleeding but it wasn’t heavy like a period is there anyway I could be pregnant cause normally periods last 5 days even abs flow but this one hasn’t flown like it normally would. I need help please.
Hello Sherry, 7 days after a missed period, take a pregnancy test.
I had my period on the 23rd of April. Had sex on the 30th,1st,2nd,5th,7th,10th,12th,13th,and 16th.. I had spotting on the 12th for maybe a hour or so went from dark to light pinkish.. Cycle is usually 27 to 29 days. Next cycle is due on the 21st. Could that have been implantion?
Hello Rell29, yes this could have been implantation bleeding.
I had my last period on the 16 April which my cycle is 28 days , I had cramping 2 days to the next one but no blood , last night I took sodamint with paracetamol for pile n headache when I woke up this morning I saw blood but light is it late period or not?
Hello Tommy, this might be the beginning of a new period.
Hi…i had my period on march 18 and on april 10 I noticed light bleeding for about 5 days and this month i.e may i still have not got periods…am i pregnant??
Hello Kav, this could be a sign of pregnancy. If you think you are pregnant then take a pregnancy test.
I have my lmp on april 22-26, and have 28-32 days cycle, had unprotected sex last april 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, as my doctor said to do contacts on that dates. And today, april 12 i have red but not heavy bleeding, and its not usual for me. What does it means? Thank you…
Hello Archy, this could be implantation bleeding.
Hi i got my period on april 16 and had contact with my husbnd on april 26 to 29. Today i had a brown discharge and mild cramps, is it posiible an implantation bleeding or start of my period? Before my cycle wa 28 the 32 days but it changes from 27 days since february after using letrozole guve by my ob.
Hello Rain, there is a possibility that this might be implantation bleeding, see link below:
https://womanjunction.com/implantation-bleeding-period-recognize/
Hi,I had my period on 10th April and ended on 14th April. Had iui on 22nd April and feeling cramps like period but no period. Could I be pregnant or I should still wait few days to take a test?
Hello Adeline, for the most accurate results take the pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period.
When my period was due this time ..may 3. I had spotting light Pink…two days only.. it stopped on April 5..could this be implantation bleeding or just a light period. I’ve never have a two day one. And they’re never this light. My periods vary 26-29 days
Hi Precious, it could be implantation bleeding. I would recommend a pregnancy test at this point just to be sure as it could have been a period, or implantation. The only way to know for sure is to test.
Hi I had my last period on 2nd April and today i.e 05 may after 6days missed I had a single drop of blood.So Am I pregnant?
Hi Purabi, have you taken a pregnancy test? I would do that.
hi I had my last period on 8 march till 14 March and I had spotting with cramps on 7-8 april and again today with cramps.I last had unprotected sex on 1 march.is there a chance I could be pregnant?
Hi Nalah, since your last period was in March have you taken a pregnancy test? Because at this point you would be almost two month late? That’s what I would recommend.
Hello…i had my period on March 22-25…..i ovulated from March 26-30….on April 5-7…i started spotting light pink and brown…then it stopped and I haven’t seen any more bleeding yet but I also have not had a positive as of yet I’ve been bloated and gassy and a little crampy but no blood could I have had implantation bleeding and be pregnant
Also I had sex on the 27,28,and 30th
Hi Precious, how did you come up with the Ovulation from the 26th through the 30th? How long are your cycles? Generally with a 28 day cycle average you would have ovulated from April 1st through the 5th so the bleeding you saw could have actually been ovulation bleeding. However, if you haven’t gotten your period yet I would consider any life changes, stress, medications, etc. If you were going to test for pregnancy I would have recommended testing after the 28th of April. Have you gotten an answer or a period yet.
Hi i started my period april 1, I had unprotected sex april 14 and I am starting to have a bleeding this april 26 until now, what does it mean?? please reply
Hi Eros, could that have been your period? Or it could have been implantation bleeding depending on how it seems (lighter, spotting instead of heavy). If you don’t think it’s your actual period take a pregnancy test, otherwise I would consider that your regular period as it only seems to be 2 days earlier than a 28 day cycle, depending on what yours is.
Hi..got my regular period April 1, 2018 it lasted 4 days.. And I had unprotected sex April 5th & 11th. Then all of the sudden I had bleeding on the 17th but lasted only 2 1/2 days… Then my bleeding stopped. I ALWAYS have the same cycle… 28 days
Hi Juvelyn, well the 11th would have fallen in your fertile period, so you could potentially be pregnant. Have you gotten your period yet? If not have you taken a pregnancy test?
Just got my period may 3…so I think I am not pregnant…. Why it’sall of the sudden my regular period which is always 28 days that since April I got my period every 17 day
Hi Juvelyn, again it could be ovulation bleeding, as it’s only lasting 2 days as you stated. If you are concerned as to why it’s coming more frequently though, make an appointment with your doctor so that you can get checked out for any potential underlying conditions.
Hi my last period came 2nd april and had unprotected sex on 14 April and got only 2 drops of blood on 16 April.. any pregnancy change..plz reply me
Hi Amrita, your fertile period, if you are on a 28 day cycle would have been from the 12th through the 16th. So it’s quite possible that you could have gotten pregnant. I would recommend a pregnancy test if you miss you period.
hi I saw my period on 4th of April it ended on 8th, on 11th I had unprotected sex. on 11th of the same April I started bleeding again it was red in colour but not that heavy it lasted for 6days on the 7th day it was brown in colour is there a chance that I could be pregnant
Hi Dora, that could have been ovulation bleeding, that seems too soon to have your next period. It’s quite possible. Generally you wouldn’t have been fertile during the time you had unprotected sex. You most likely won’t be pregnant however.
Hi my problem is Feb.20 I got my first period march 29 it comes light blood just only 2 days and I do so many times the pregnancy test its negative and now it’s already april 24 I dont have yet get my period what is the problem from this then pls I want to hear it thank u shawie
Hi Sharon, have you gotten your period yet? It could be that you have a longer cycle honestly. But are you also saying that this was your first period ever? It’s quite possible that your cycle hasn’t regulated yet.