If a woman is planning her pregnancy, she naturally pays permanent attention to any physical changes. However, a very small sign is often much more telling than a tightening in the chest or nausea in the morning: the implantation bleeding. The problem: probably the surest sign is often overlooked or misinterpreted; in some cases it is not even visible.
Period or intermenstrual bleeding?
Whether it is the tightening of the breast, a “strange” feeling in the morning, which could sometimes be nausea or even a permanent fatigue – gladly even the smallest signs are interpreted as pregnancy. Again and again one reads on the Internet about women who – although they had their period – were pregnant. A circumstance that is de facto impossible. In such cases, it is not the period, but the so-called implantation bleeding. The implantation bleeding – also called: Nidation bleeding – is also erroneously always indicated as the actual last menstrual bleeding. A circumstance that leads to the fact that the date of birth is calculated incorrectly. If the woman is unsure whether it was a nidation bleeding or whether it was a menstrual bleeding, she should pay attention to various characteristics. Timing is a major factor. The period starts around 14 days after the actual ovulation. However, if the woman notices bleeding that has already occurred a few days after ovulation, it is usually implantation bleeding. The color of the implantation bleeding is light reddish; brown or dark red colored blood speaks more for the classic period. The menstrual bleeding is also much heavier and increases as it progresses. The implantation bleeding is light and also definitely does not get stronger. Moreover, while menstrual bleeding lasts three to even five days, implantation bleeding ends after a maximum of two days. There is also no period pain. Sometimes there are reports from women who also reported cramps, but these were harmless – in direct comparison to the classic period pain. If the woman is unsure whether it was an implantation bleeding or the classic period, she can also contact the doctor or perform a pregnancy test a few days after the implantation bleeding has stopped. This should then confirm whether it was menstrual bleeding or implantation bleeding.
What is implantation bleeding?
After fertilization, the fertilized egg – the blastocyst – makes its way through the fallopian tube. It travels toward the uterus and nests in the lining of the uterus. This process is also called nidation. The blastocyst attaches itself to the mucosa, penetrates the outer layer of the uterine wall and is subsequently enclosed by an epithelium. In this context, physicians also like to speak of implantation or implantation. If the blastocyst migrates into the wall of the uterus, small blood vessels can be damaged. This damage subsequently leads to slight bleeding. Gynecologists also call this bleeding nidation bleeding or implantation bleeding. The first attachment is possible around five to six days after fertilization. Twelve days after fertilization, the entire implantation process is complete. Between the 7th and 12th day of fertilization, the so-called implantation bleeding follows. The bleeding is usually very weak and in many cases only occurs inside the body, so that many women do not even notice that “something has implanted”. Sometimes only a few drops may leak out; in a few cases, the bleeding may be clearly visible. If the woman notices light reddish blood, which in the end resembles spotting, she can assume that she is pregnant. This is because this is probably the so-called nidation bleeding. Sometimes slight pain is possible, although this is the rarer case. Since very small vessels are injured during implantation, the healing time is relatively fast. As a rule, everything has already healed after a maximum of two days, so that no bleeding – if it was visible at all – is still detected. In only very rare cases, the bleeding may last longer. If the woman is unsure, she can also contact her attending physician and ask for advice or explain the exact circumstances.It is important that the woman can not only name the duration and time, but sometimes also define the color and also indicate whether or not actively worked on pregnancy or fertilization.
Causes of implantation bleeding
The cause of implantation bleeding is based on the fact that successful fertilization has occurred. The bleeding may be heavier or weaker, but it usually passes after two days. The implantation bleeding may or may not be visible. Therefore, if you do not notice any implantation bleeding, you are far from certain that you have not become pregnant.
What to do in case of implantation bleeding?
A nidation bleeding is neither dangerous for the woman, nor for the further course of pregnancy or associated with any risks. If there are signs that could indicate implantation bleeding, the woman should sometimes perform a pregnancy test. If the test is negative, it may be that it was done too early. An appointment with a gynecologist can also be made to obtain actual certainty.
