When a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, where it can begin growing, some light spotting may occur. This is called implantation bleeding, and it can be one of the earliest clues that you are pregnant. Some women don’t experience this type of bleeding, and some simply don’t notice it. If it happens, it doesn’t indicate a problem with your pregnancy. If you’re wondering if you might be pregnant, take our Am I Pregnant? quiz for a little fun and grab a home pregnancy test. Show
Is It Implantation Bleeding or My Period?It’s possible to mistake implantation bleeding for a very light and early period at first. However, there are some differences to pay attention to. Although every woman’s period is different, it’s still possible to guess that it's implantation bleeding by the color and amount of bleeding, and by where you are in your menstrual cycle, as well as by looking out for other early signs of pregnancy — more frequent bathroom trips, fatigue, and nausea (i.e., morning sickness). These are the main signs and symptoms of implantation bleeding compared to a period:
When Does Implantation Bleeding Happen?You may notice implantation bleeding around 10 to 14 days after conception, when a fertilized egg becomes attached to the lining of your uterus. Keep in mind that conception may not occur on the same day you had sex. Sperm can live as long as five days inside a woman’s reproductive tract, and conception might not occur for several days after sex. Should I Take a Pregnancy Test During Implantation Bleeding?You can take a home pregnancy test during implantation bleeding. Keep in mind that the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (or hCG) that pregnancy tests detect only starts being produced in your body the moment the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus — which is the trigger for implantation bleeding. The earlier you take the test, the less hCG there is to detect, meaning that the test may not yet be accurate. If you have the patience to wait, you’ll get a more accurate test result if you wait until after the first day of your missed period. If you get a positive test result, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm your pregnancy. And you can get an estimate of when to expect your baby by using our handy tool to calculate your due date. Should I See a Doctor?Implantation bleeding is generally nothing to be concerned about, but it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about any bleeding you experience during pregnancy. Although light bleeding in early pregnancy can be totally normal, there are some reasons for bleeding in early pregnancy that need to be addressed immediately. These can include infection, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy.
In 6 to 12 days after conception, a woman may experience implantation bleeding. About 7 days after that, hormone levels in the urine are high enough to detect using a home pregnancy test. In general, take the test after you notice your menstrual period is late. While some pregnancy tests claim to work a few days before a missed period, the results are usually less accurate at that point. Some tests may be able to detect pregnancy hormones in urine as early as 10 days following unprotected sex, but the results are not very reliable, and women may get a false positive or false negative test result. For women who have irregular periods or who do not get periods at all, testing about 3 weeks after unprotected sex may yield more reliable results.
What Are Pregnancy Tests?Pregnancy tests are used to verify if a woman is pregnant. They work by checking urine or blood for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) that the body produces when pregnancy occurs. This hormone is released when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, signaling the beginning of pregnancy. What Do Pregnancy Test Results Mean?If pregnancy test results are positive, it means a woman is pregnant. If they’re negative, it means a woman is not pregnant. When Can A Pregnancy Test Be Taken?Pregnancy tests may be taken any time after a woman’s menstrual period is late. A woman may also choose to test after implantation bleeding has occurred. Implantation bleeding is an early sign of pregnancy. It occurs when a 6 to 12-day-old fertilized egg attaches to the inner lining of the uterus, causing light vaginal bleeding or spotting. About one-third of women experience implantation bleeding, which is normal and typically happens near the time of a woman’s next expected menstrual period. About four to five days after implantation bleeding, HCG levels in the body reach detectable levels in the blood. For at-home urine pregnancy tests, it may take up to 7 days for HCG levels in the urine to reach detectable levels for testing. Why Might A Pregnancy Test Produce the Wrong Result?There are 2 types of inaccurate results:
There are several reasons for inaccurate results:
QUESTIONThe first sign of pregnancy is most often: See AnswerReviewed on 9/30/2022 References Image source: iStock Images Medscape Medical Reference https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/pregnancy-tests https://utswmed.org/medblog/home-pregnancy-tests/ https://www.babymed.com/fertility-problems/making-clomiphene-clomid-work-you |