Implant bleeding when does it happen

Around five to six days after fertilization, the quickly growing embryo has moved down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. When the embryo implants , it can disrupt tiny blood vessels in the spot it burrows into. So-called implantation bleeding will likely arrive earlier than your expected monthly menstrual period, usually around seven to 10 days after fertilization or conception. Since implantation bleeding is a symptom that can often occur before you test positive on a pregnancy test, it can be hard to know whether light bleeding is an early sign of pregnancy or just normal spotting leading up to your period.

The timing of when you last had sex might also help you figure it out. About a third of women who report having experienced implantation bleeding often describe it as distinct from their usual premenstrual spotting — some say the blood is darker and not as red compared with normal period blood.

Others have mild cramping at the same time as the spotting. Light bleeding during pregnancy — even at times other than implantation — is often normal. Causes can include mundane things like irritation of the cervix following a pelvic exam, sex or infection of the vagina.

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The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Learn how this may affect your menstrual cycle. Worried about a late period, but know you aren't pregnant? Missed or late periods can happen for plenty of other reasons.

Read on to learn about them. Due to fluctuating hormones, perimenopause periods may look different than your previous periods. Find out what to do and which products can help. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What to Expect.

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Color and consistency Other symptoms Pregnancy test See your doctor How long does it last? What does it look like? Other symptoms of early pregnancy. When to take a pregnancy test. Talk to your doctor. Parenthood Pregnancy Getting Pregnant. Is It Spotting or a Period? Causes, Symptoms, and More. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, MD. Causes, Symptoms, and More Spotting is lighter than a period and may indicate that you have an underlying condition.

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph. True pregnancy concerns rarely come from implantation and usually occur after the missed period. Though this post-implantation light bleeding during pregnancy is not considered normal, there are a few main reasons it may occur:. Extended bleeding can be a sign of something more serious, especially further on during the pregnancy.

Molar pregnancy or miscarriage are two concerns, which is why whenever visiting the OBGYN or other doctors, it is necessary to inform them of current or recent bleeding especially if it is heavy , as well as any other symptoms you are experiencing. In your first trimester, be sure to let your healthcare provider know about any spotting.

Let your healthcare provider know immediately about any spotting in your second or third trimesters. If at any point during your pregnancy you experience heavy bleeding, contact your healthcare provider immediately or consider seeking emergency care. Cramping is normal during pregnancy, yet if the level of pain during cramping increases, it is recommended to contact a doctor.

Affordable and accurate pregnancy tests can be purchased from our corporate sponsor Fairhaven Health. You are welcome to contact our toll-free helpline at to speak with a pregnancy educator. Often, taking a pregnancy test before the missed period or during implantation bleeding is just too soon for tests to offer conclusive results. Ideally, waiting a week after the spotting or missed period is most desirable as the results should prove more accurate.

Implantation bleeding is a sign of a potential pregnancy. If you have waited until after your period was due and taken a pregnancy test that delivered a negative result, there is a good chance you are not pregnant. Watching for implantation bleeding while trying to get pregnant is fine, but many women do not experience nor notice implantation spotting even when it does occur.

Norwitz ER, et al. Overview of the etiology and evaluation of vaginal bleeding in pregnant women. Moore KL, et al. Answers to clinically oriented questions. Philadelphia, Pa. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ Bleeding during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Months 1 and 2. Washington, D.

What is Implantation Bleeding?