We Focus on You, So You Can Focus on Them
We’re committed to helping moms before, during, and after baby is born. Learn more about our facilities and schedule a tour today.
Take a Virtual Labor and Delivery TourWhat is Implantation Bleeding and When Does It Occur?
When a fertilized egg moves down the fallopian tubes and into the uterus, anywhere from six to 12 days after conception, it secures itself to the uterine wall in what’s known as implantation. This process can affect small blood vessels in the walls of the uterus, causing bleeding that appears externally as small amounts of pink, reddish, brown or black discharge.
How Common is Implantation Bleeding?
Implantation bleeding is common, occurring in approximately 25 percent of pregnancies. For many women, this is the first sign that they’re pregnant. However, it can be hard to know whether what you’re experiencing is implantation bleeding or just a light period.
Implantation Bleeding vs. Period
There are certain characteristics to look for and some steps you can take to determine the cause of your spotting or light bleeding, including:
- Menstrual bleeding tends to start heavy and taper off over 3-5 days, whereas implantation bleeding is light and lasts 24-48 hours.
- Menstrual blood is typically bright red for at least some of the days of your period. Implantation bleeding is more often brown, pink or black.
- A regular period may be accompanied by intense cramping. With implantation, there’s little or no cramping.
- Implantation bleeding typically occurs before you’d normally expect your period to start.
- If it has been more than two weeks since you had sex, it’s unlikely that you’re experiencing implantation bleeding.
- Implantation bleeding may be accompanied by symptoms like nausea, headache, breast tenderness, and low backache.
- If you suspect you might be pregnant, you can wait a few days and then take a pregnancy test.
Implantation Bleeding FAQs
How long does implantation bleeding last?
Unlike a regular period, implantation bleeding is typically very short-lived. In most cases, implantation bleeding only lasts 24-48 hours.
What does implantation bleeding look like?
Implantation bleeding can be difficult to distinguish from a typical period or spotting that can sometimes occur at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. In general, implantation bleeding often presents as light spotting, or blood that appears when you wipe, or a light, consistent flow that may require the use of a light pad. Implantation bleeding may or may not be mixed with cervical mucous, causing it to present in a wide range of colors, but most often pink or brown.
Does implantation bleeding hurt?
While the bleeding itself does not generally cause pain, some women do experience cramping during the process of implantation.
Are cramps a symptom of implantation bleeding?
Implantation cramping is usually mild and brief. Some women describe a feeling of pinching or tingling in the lower abdomen or back, which menstrual cramping is often more severe and long-lasting.
Are clots a symptom of implantation bleeding?
Implantation bleeding will not usually produce a mixture of tissue and blood. If you see clots, you can be fairly sure it is part of your period, not caused by implantation bleeding.
Can you take a pregnancy test during or after implantation bleeding?
You can certainly take a pregnancy test at any time. There is no harm in testing at any point during the conception process, although there are windows that will likely produce a more accurate result. hCG, the hormone detected by home pregnancy tests, doubles every 48 hours after implantation. Thus, it may be beneficial and produce a more trustworthy result to wait a few days after implantation bleeding to take a pregnancy test.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Vaginal bleeding can be caused by a variety of things, including a pelvic exam, sex or an infection. In many cases, it turns out to be of no concern. However, unexpected bleeding is nevertheless a good reason to talk with your doctor, who may want to perform a vaginal ultrasound.
In particular, you should seek prompt medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms which can indicate an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage:
- Bleeding bright red blood
- Passing clots
- Significant cramping
- Feeling dizzy or especially tired following a positive pregnancy test
If these occur at night, you can call your doctor’s office and speak with the on-call physician. Or, if you feel the situation is emergent, you can go to the emergency room for evaluation or call 9-1-1.
