Is implantation bleeding normal?

Not all pregnant women will have typical implantation bleeding. In fact, most pregnant women will not have any bleeding at implantation, while others bleed for days. Implantation bleeding is different from one woman to the other and can be just some drops or more substantial bleeding.

Implantation bleeding normally occurs about 3 weeks after the previous menstrual period, which is about a week after ovulation. It differs from the menstrual period because it does not come with any other form of pain, such as a backache or cramping. In addition, implantation bleeding is not as heavy as menstrual bleeding, usually appearing as a few spots of brown blood. Implantation bleeding is considered to be normal for pregnant women and usually poses no threat to the pregnancy.

When does implantation bleeding happen?

Implantation bleeding occurs about a few days or a week before the scheduled time of a woman’s menstrual period. Even if only spotting occurs, its occurrence after a week of ovulation may indicate it to be implantation bleeding. However, if spotting occurs just before the usual time when a period is supposed to occur, it will most likely be just a menstrual period.

Menstrual bleeding will last for several days while implantation bleeding lasts for less than a whole day and is usually much less bleeding.

The most normal pattern of menstrual bleeding is that it will start slowly and will gradually increase to heavier bleeding. Menstrual bleeding will last for several days while implantation bleeding lasts for less than a whole day and is usually much less bleeding.

Furthermore, spotting just prior to the expected menstrual period may not always indicate implantation bleeding, and may just mean the period is starting ahead of time. If it actually is menstrual bleeding, it will lead to a greater amount of bleeding, whereas implantation bleeding may only last as spotting and will end swiftly afterward. The most effective method to differentiate whether it is implantation bleeding or a menstrual period is to wait and see the outcome. Of course, if you don't want to wait, you can take a pregnancy test, although it may be too early and appear negative.

What happens during implantation?

The main cause of implantation bleeding is the attachment of the embryo to the uterus wall. It takes place near the concluding stages of the implantation process, where a special tissue with a specific job called trophoblast which develops from the embryo and encloses it. This tissue then attaches itself to the uterus wall called the endometrium and starts to burrow itself into it. The trophoblast also enters many of the blood vessels and causes them to crack. This, in turn, causes them to leak and collect into the cavities found in the trophoblast, which are connected to the other cavities forming channels of blood in the tissue. As these cavities slowly approach the voids and craters in the uterus, they are expelled from the embryo, causing the bleeding.