When Does Implantation Bleeding Occur

Implantation of the Fertilized Egg

When does implantation bleeding occur is an important question when trying to figure out whether you have successfully conceived before a pregnancy test is able to tell you. Many people have mistaken this blood for the beginning of their new menstrual cycle but find out about a week later that they are, in fact, pregnant.

During your menstrual cycle, your body goes through a process that gets your uterus ready to take care of a fertilized egg and make it a nurturing environment to a fetus. If no fertilized egg enters the uterus, your menstrual period begins and the uterine lining that your body has worked so hard to make is shedded. However, if you time intercourse when one of your ovaries releases an egg (in some cases, multiple eggs) and a sperm fertilizes the egg, it makes its home in the uterine lining made of blood and tissue.

Your egg will burrow itself into the lining until it securely attached. This can cause some discomfort to you and may cause abdominal cramping during this time. While the egg implants, a piece of lining may separate to make room. This is nothing to be alarmed about and is perfectly normal. The blood or tissue that falls off the uterine lining then makes its way out in the form of implantation bleeding.

So When Does Implantation Bleeding Occur?

Implantation bleeding occurs approximately six to twelve days after ovulation (when the ovary releases the egg). The range of time is so broad because it all depends on how quickly the egg moves down the fallopian tube and attaches to the uterus. Sometimes, it then takes time for the small amount of blood to make its way out of your body.

How Much Blood Should I See?

You won't see a lot of blood if you see anything at all. Some people have such a small amount that they never notice it. Others will have enough bleeding to think they have started their period. Some women will have some bloody tissue as well.

One way to know if you are experiencing implantation bleeding and not your period is to monitor whether the bleeding is getting worse or continues. Implantation bleeding should only last a couple of days at the most. It also should be a light pink or brown color signifying that it is old blood. Of course, one of the best ways to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test the first day of your missed period.

Does Everyone Have Implantation Bleeding?

Not everyone will have implantation bleeding. Remember, you will only bleed if a part of your uterine lining sheds when the egg implants. Don't wait around for implantation blood if you are anxiously trying to conceive because you may never have it.

Bleeding During Early Pregnancy

Many women (approximately 30 percent) have some bleeding during early pregnancy. Women who have sex early in pregnancy may bleed afterwards because the cervix becomes sensitive and engorged with blood during pregnancy. Other women have delayed implantation blood that only shows much later than twelve days after ovulation. Sometimes, bleeding during early pregnancy has no reason. However, if you notice that you are seeing more of it and you are having pain, contact your doctor immediately. You could be having a complication such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.