What is implantation bleeding?

Implantation is the attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine lining. This happens when the fertilized egg has completed its travel through the fallopian tube and adheres to the lining of the uterus. Implantation happens on average 9 days after ovulation and fertilization with a range of between 6 and 12 days. Implantation bleeding is one of several typical pregnancy symptoms and it usually happens around 6-12 days after ovulation and fertilization.

Signs of implantation as a possible pregnancy symptom include:

• Implantation cramps: Light cramps inside the uterus.
• Implantation spotting or bleeding: Short, brief spotting (a couple of drops of light or dark blood).
• A second temperature shift on the temperature curve.
• A temperature dip at about 7-10 days after ovulation.

Despite implantation bleeding, only a positive pregnancy test will confirm with certainty if you are pregnant or not. You may want to do a pregnancy test if you think you could be pregnant.

Most women have no pregnancy symptoms such as bleeding or cramps, at the time of implantation. However, some women report drops of blood and/or light cramping. These pregnancy symptoms can happen with or without conception and implantation.

Wondering if your spotting is implantation bleeding or period? If you have had spotting and think it might be implantation bleeding you may be paying very close attention to your body. Unfortunately, a pregnancy test will rarely if ever be positive at the time of implantation bleeding. If you are trying to get pregnant, the good news is that early pregnancy symptoms feel very similar to the start of your period. If you are pregnant you may begin to notice symptoms of early pregnancy right around the time your period would normally start and sometimes sooner than that. If you suspect pregnancy you can test for pregnancy as early as ten days after ovulation.

How is implantation spotting/bleeding different?

Implantation bleeding is just one of several typical pregnancy symptoms and may also be called implantation spotting. Implantation bleeding or spotting does not usually look like a regular menstrual period but is scanty and usually a pinkish or brownish discharge.