What is the implantation of the egg cell?
After the egg has been successfully fertilized, it migrates through the fallopian tube towards the uterus as a so-called blastocyst. In the uterus, it attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. Through various processes in the blastocyst, it is completely surrounded by uterine lining within a few days. This process is called implantation. This firm hold in the uterus is essential for the further development of the germ.
Procedure
Once fertilization has taken place, the ovum travels through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. On the way, the egg cell already begins to divide. At this stage it is called a blastocyst.
The blastocyst is initially surrounded by a so-called glass skin (zona pellucida). This prevents the blastocyst from implanting itself too early, for example in the fallopian tube. The blastocyst only hatches out of the vitreous membrane in the uterus.
Now the blastocyst can attach itself to the lining of the uterus with its embryonic pole. This usually happens in the upper part of the posterior wall of the uterus. However, there are also cases of implantation at the front wall.
The outer cell layer of the blastocyst differentiates into two different cell types (syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts). One of these cell types, the syncytiotrophoblasts, causes the germ to fuse with the cells of the uterine lining, i.e. to fuse together to ensure a secure hold during further development. At the end of this process, approximately at the beginning of the second week, the entire germ is surrounded by uterine mucosa. This condition remains for the rest of the pregnancy. The cells responsible for implantation also release hormones to the body, which are essential for maintaining the pregnancy.
I can tell from these symptoms that the egg cell is settling down
There is a whole range of symptoms or signs that may indicate that the egg has been implanted. However, none of the symptoms is considered a sure sign that pregnancy has begun. Only a pregnancy test can provide a reliable statement in this regard.
A classic sign of implantation is the so-called implantation bleeding (nidation bleeding). It is rather light and can quickly be confused with menstrual bleeding. However, there can also be an intermediate bleeding when taking contraceptives or during an irregular cycle.
Another sign of implantation is pulling pain in the abdomen. The pain is caused by the blastocyst migrating through the fallopian tube. Often these pains are relatively mild, so that they are hardly noticed.
There are also other signs, which are summarized under the uncertain pregnancy signs. They are not always noticed at the same time as implantation, but can also develop a few days later. These signs include: This might also be of interest to you: Signs of pregnancy
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feelings of tension in the chest
- Darker colored areolas
- Discoloration of the vaginal entrance
Nausea is one of the so-called unsafe pregnancy signs.
The nausea is caused by the pregnancy hormone beta-HCG and affects about 80% of all pregnant women. It occurs classically at the beginning of pregnancy and can therefore also be a sign of implantation. The severity of the nausea can vary greatly.
Some women only have a slight feeling of nausea and do not have to vomit. Then there is the typical morning sickness, in which the symptoms subside during the course of the day. If the symptoms are pronounced, the nausea and vomiting can continue throughout the day.
Back pain at the time of implantation is rather unusual and should be clarified. Back pain is typical only in advanced pregnancy. Possible causes of back pain at this early stage of pregnancy can be a particularly fast growing uterus or an unnatural curvature in the direction of the spine.
In addition, an ectopic pregnancy can cause back pain among other symptoms. The situation is similar with a miscarriage. For this reason, a doctor should always be consulted if back pain occurs during early pregnancy.
Flatulence is rather not a typical sign of implantation and can have many different causes. However, every woman reacts differently to the implantation of an egg, which is why it cannot be ruled out that flatulence can also be the first sign of pregnancy.However, a pregnancy test should be carried out as a precaution. Fever is not one of the uncertain signs of pregnancy or signs of implantation of the egg.
However, there are isolated reports that fever has occurred during the implantation phase. However, this is not the case for the majority of pregnant women during the implantation phase. During the migration of the blastocyst through the fallopian tube and also during implantation in the endometrium, there may be pain in the lower abdomen.
Often these pains are very weak, so they are hardly noticeable. In most cases, the pain is perceived by women who have a special perception of their own body when they want to have children. They are so sensitized to any changes that they can also perceive these slight abdominal pains.
Cramps in the lower abdominal area, as well as abdominal pain, can be perceived as implantation pain by particularly sensitive women. However, the cramps during implantation are often of such low intensity that they can hardly be felt. Since there are many other causes for cramps in the abdomen, the symptom cannot be reliably associated with implantation.
It should also be noted that cramps in this region can often occur during the normal menstrual cycle, making it almost impossible to distinguish between them. A feeling of tightness or a pulling in the breast, is associated with the uncertain signs of pregnancy. If fertilization and implantation are successful, the pregnancy hormone beta-HCG is secreted by cells of the germ.
On the one hand, the hormone is important for maintaining the pregnancy, on the other hand it triggers various remodelling processes in the body which are important for the pregnancy or after birth. Within this framework, milk production in the breast is stimulated shortly after implantation. The resulting swelling can be perceived as pulling of the breast.
A drop in temperature is not a typical sign of egg implantation. There are reports from women who regularly check their body temperature that a drop in temperature has occurred about 6 days after ovulation. However, a scientific connection has not yet been established, so a drop in temperature cannot be considered a sign of implantation.
In the second half of the cycle, i.e. after ovulation, only a small amount of cervical mucus is formed if pregnancy is not present. This is also only slightly creamy and not spinnable. If implantation is successful, a comparatively increased production of cervical mucus may occur. This mucus is also creamy white and spinnable, very similar to that in the first half of the cycle. The cervical mucus is important during pregnancy to seal the cervix against ascending infections.
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