Insemination bleeding
When you're trying to get pregnant, blood in your underwear is often the last thing you want to see. Still, light bleeding can be a sign of implantation bleeding, which can actually mean you're pregnant. But when exactly does implantation bleeding happen and how can you recognize it?
What is implantation bleeding?
An implantation bleed can be caused by a small bleed that occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. During implantation, the cells of the embryo "bore" into the endometrium and sometimes cause slight bleeding as a blood vessel is hit. This bleeding usually occurs several days to a week after fertilization and can be recognized as light bleeding that occurs between day five and 12 of the menstrual cycle. The blood flows out through the vagina because the cervix is slightly open at that time during the fertile period. After implantation, the embryo begins to produce hCG and from then on you are pregnant. Therefore, implantation bleeding can be considered one of the first pregnancy symptoms.
When does implantation take place?
Usually several days to a week after implantation of the fertilized egg, implantation bleeding may occur. In women with a regular menstrual cycle, implantation usually occurs between five and 12 days after fertilization. If blood loss occurs between days five and 12 after ovulation, this may indicate implantation bleeding. Generally, the process of implantation is completed around day eight or nine after ovulation.
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What does implantation blood look like?
There are several characteristics by which you can recognize an implantation bleed, namely:
- Quantity: Bleeding is usually minor. It can range from just a few drops to light menstrual-like bleeding.
- Color: The color of blood can range from pink or red to brown. A darker color is more common because the blood stays in the vagina a little longer, which can oxidize and change color.
- Slight cramps: You may feel a slight convulsive pain around the implantation, called the implantation pain. If you have light bleeding in the following days, this may indicate an implantation bleed. It is also possible that you are confusing implantation pain with menstrual pain. Insertion pain is often less intense and lasts for a shorter period of time.
- No clots: Ingestion blood with clots is not likely to occur. With menstrual blood, especially from the second day onward, quite a few clots can occur. In contrast, clotted blood contains little to no clots.
Don't worry if you don't have any implantation bleeding.
It is not unusual for not all pregnant women to experience implantation bleeding. In fact, only 20 to 30 percent of pregnant women have this symptom. In addition, you may not notice the bleeding because it may only be a few drops of pale pink or light brown blood. You may miss this. But if you haven't noticed any implantation bleeding or are sure you haven't had it, there's no need to worry. In fact, this does not mean you are not pregnant.
Other reasons for blood loss
An implantation bleeding is a sign of pregnancy, while menstrual bleeding indicates that you are not pregnant. These are two possible causes of blood loss during your menstrual cycle. Even if you are pregnant, you can sometimes experience blood loss. There are several reasons why this can happen, some harmless and others more serious. When in doubt, it is always wise to contact your midwife or doctor.
Questions?
If you still have questions or concerns after reading this, contact your midwife. If you do not yet have a midwife and you live in Rotterdam, please get in touch, or read on.
- Find out what makes us unique as a midwifery practice and take a look at our practice in our video.
- Or read all about the contact moments you have with your midwife during and after pregnancy here.