The stage of implantation is one of the essential stages in every pregnancy. Signs of implantation may be slight bleeding, lower abdominal cramping, bloating, sensitivity of the breast, headache, and mood changes that women experience.

The following information in this article aims at explaining some of the signs that implantation has occurred. It also explores a few more pregnancy myths and tells when a pregnancy test should be done.

What is Implantation and How it Works?

Fallopian tubes are where an egg gets fertilised by a sperm. This links the uterus with the ovaries that lie to the side of the uterus. The fertilised egg is referred to as a zygote, and it moves in the fallopian towards the uterus. 

Implantation begins when the blastocyst anchors itself into the walls of the uterus, which is a mucous membrane known as the endometrium. It then implants the blastocyst or buries itself in the uterine wall.

Timing of Implantation

Implantation is very concise in time—it occurs 6–10 days after ovulation. That is how the timing is affected, because the endometrium alters, growing and sloughing off at different phases of the menstrual cycle. In each cycle, it is only receptive to a blastocyst for a few days only.

Implantation Symptoms in Pregnancy

Some of the signs that can be used to show that implantation has occurred include the onset of bleeding as well as slight cramping.

• Light pulling
• Tingling
• Pricking
• Other early pregnancy symptoms
• Additional complaints that may be experienced in early pregnancy may include:
• Tiredness
• Feeling very emotional
• Nausea
• Vomiting, particularly in the morning, ranging from 6-9 weeks.
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Breast tact or being bulky or sensitive; they sometimes have erect nipples.
• Having to urinate more often
• Constipation
• Ill taste in the mouth
• Desire and dislike for specific food stuffs
• Changes in weight

What is the Implantation Timeline?

A timeline of implantation and early pregnancy includes the following events, based on a 28-day menstrual cycle:

• Day 1: This is the first day of the period.
• Day 14: ovulation
• Day 15: fertilisation—an egg can be fertilised for roughly 24 hours after it has been released.
• Day 20–24: implantation of the blastocyst in the uterus Trusted Source

Other Causes of Implantation Symptoms in Pregnancy

The following signs are considered to be some form of implantation but can also have very unrelated causes, such as miscarriage.

Bleeding

Some women notice spotting during their first weeks of pregnancy; this is regarded as normal as it affects 15–25% of all early pregnancies. This symptom might feel like a sign of implanation, but it can also be a cause of:

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Discharge from the cervix, which is caused by the blood that is supplied to that area.
• Infection

Cramping

Headaches or breast tenderness can be a sign, as can cramping or lower back pain, but any of these symptoms may also mean that pregnancy was not successful. Now there are very sensitive methods of taking pregnancy tests; some people are aware when they have had a very early pregnancy loss, referred to as a chemical pregnancy. The loss occurs at just around 5 weeks, which often makes it difficult to determine even with the help of the use of ultrasounds.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test

A home pregnancy test uses a tiny stick or a cup that changes colour when it comes into contact with urine that contains the hormone called hCG. The pregnant body begins to produce this hormone even before the implantation. The levels of the drug in the blood and urine increases two times every 24 hours for 8 weeks before reaching the maximum level of about 10 weeks.

Home pregnancy tests can detect hCG in the urine about 12—15 days in women with a 28-day menstrual cycle. However, the tests are not so accurate that one can be really certain that the woman is not pregnant if the test results in a negative.

Conclusion

Implantation is the process of the embedding of a pregnancy, which is an extremely delicate stage. It may be preceded by a brownish or pinkish red discharge or vaginal bleeding that is light, forming the so-called ‘bloody show’. Some people experience cramping. Both bleeding and severe cramps can signal a number of things, such as pregnancy loss, and are not good signs of implantation.

Contact the Femmenest IVF center for any further discussion or advice about implantation symptoms in pregnancy. 

FAQs

What are the symptoms of successful implantation?

Some of the signs associated with the successful implantation include mild contractions, light darkish red blood staining, slight breast enlargement and tenderness, a feeling of tiredness, mood swings, swelling of the breast, a rise in the base temperature, and sometimes nausea.

When do implantation symptoms start?

Having implantation symptoms can be an indication that you are pregnant, especially because these symptoms are usually evident 6 to 12 days after ovulation, by the time when the fertilised egg buries itself to the uterine wall.

Where is early pregnancy pain located?

Mild pain at early pregnancy may be localised to the lower abdomen or the pelvis, similar to that of menstrual pains. It can also present as low back pain or as a relatively minor discomfort in the hips.