When you're trying to conceive, it's hard to wait the two weeks or so between your fertile days and taking an at-home pregnancy test. During this period of anticipation, it's natural to interpret the slightest change in your body as a possible sign of pregnancy. The only thing worse than getting your hopes up because you feel a little more tired or out of breath than usual, is to mistake implantation bleeding for your period and assume you're not pregnant. So what color is implantation bleeding? It's time you learn to tell the difference between this early sign of pregnancy and your regular menstrual cycle. Show
Over email, Romper interviewed three OB-GYNs about implantation bleeding. Their descriptions each differ slightly, but all agree that implantation bleeding is lighter in flow and a different color than your regular period. It's "usually brown," says Miao Crystal Yu, OB-GYN at Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California. Yu elaborates that implantation bleeding is "a little bit of brownish spotting that occurs when the embryo implants." This matches the characterization Gerardo Bustillo of MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, California, gives implantation bleeding, too. According to Bustillo, implantation bleeding doesn't necessarily have a specific color, but "generally the spotting or bleeding is light." OB-GYN Yen Tran of Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, adds that implantation bleeding may look like "pinkish/rusty old brown bloody discharge." To distinguish implantation bleeding from a normal period, it's helpful to understand the process behind it. According to Tran, "After fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes around the time of ovulation, the embryo travels down the fallopian tube to attach to the wall of the uterine cavity. During the attachment progress, some blood vessels break down." The broken blood vessels lead to the old blood (i.e. brownish) spotting you may find in your underwear. However, Bustillo notes that implantation bleeding "remains an unproven hypothesis" and "does not occur in the majority of pregnancies." Timing is also important when you're trying to pinpoint the cause of bleeding. Bustillo and Tran say implantation bleeding occurs approximately 10 to 14 days after conception, while Yu gives an earlier estimate of three to seven days post-conception. Since your period isn't due until about two weeks after ovulation, you can probably guess implantation bleeding if you experience light spotting much earlier than that. It can be harder to guess if the bleeding overlaps with when you expect your period. Luckily, there are other differences to help you compare a normal period with implantation bleeding. When asked how a woman can tell whether she is experiencing implantation bleeding or a regular period, Yu says, "Implantation bleeding is much lighter, usually lasting one to two days, not requiring the patient to change pads. If in doubt, talk to your OB-GYN and confirm the diagnosis with blood work or ultrasound." Bustillo also notes that a pregnancy test may be the best way to confirm the cause of your bleeding. "Implantation bleeding, when it does occur, coincides with the time of an anticipated menses. Therefore it can be confusing to know exactly what is going on. Generally, implantation bleeding is spotting only, while a menstrual period is heavier. If the bleeding is accompanied by potential early pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, nausea/vomiting, and frequent urination, a pregnancy test would be indicated to solve the dilemma." Finally, Tran agrees that implantation bleeding is usually shorter than menstruation and may be accompanied by early pregnancy symptoms. "Most periods last about four to seven days [and are] heavier with a bright red color blood, whereas implantation bleeding comes a few days sooner than the next expected period and only lasts for a few hours to two days only, along with signs like breast tenderness, mild cramping, headache and mild nausea." Related ResourcesRelated ProvidersImplantation bleeding typically occurs within days of conception, when the embryo (or blastocyst) attaches to the uterine lining. This type of bleeding is common and may occur in up to 25% of pregnant people. Not every case of spotting shortly after ovulation means your period is on its way. It could be implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding is a harmless sign that one of your eggs was fertilized during your last ovulation and has attached itself to the lining of your uterus. In this article, we take a look at when and why implantation bleeding occurs, symptoms, and how you can tell it apart from other common causes of vaginal bleeding. Early pregnancy bleeding is fairly common and may occur in up to 25 percent of the population. In many cases, it’s the first sign of pregnancy. Implantation bleeding typically occurs within days of conception, when the embryo (or blastocyst) attaches to the uterine lining. Some people mistake it for their regular period because it can look similar and occur near the time you’d expect your normal cycle. However, it’s typically lighter than a period and often happens sooner than your regularly scheduled menstruation, taking place between 7 and 14 days after conception. Here’s a closer look at a general timeline of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation based on a regular 28-day cycle:
It can be difficult for people to know the difference between implantation bleeding and a regular period because symptoms can be similar enough to be mistaken. Here are the primary differences: When an egg has been fertilized, it begins traveling down a fallopian tube toward your uterus. The fertilized egg, called a “zygote,” typically enters the uterine cavity 3 days after fertilization. The zygote implants itself into the uterine wall about 3 to 4 days after it has entered the uterine cavity. Implantation bleeding, if it happens, usually only lasts around 1 to 2 days. As the fertilized egg embeds itself into the uterine wall to grow, it can rupture a small amount of blood vessels in the lining. This is why you might experience some bleeding. There are many possible causes for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Doctors take it seriously and encourage pregnant people to report it. If you’re not pregnant but also not 100 percent confident that your bleeding can be easily explained (by, say, your period), then you should report that to your doctor, too! Here’s some more info on making the decision. What symptoms should you call about?Any unexplained bleeding or abdominal cramping is worth a visit to your doctor. In other words, unless you’re expecting your period, vaginal bleeding and pain are typically warning signs that something could be up. Other symptoms can indicate a more serious issue, too. You should also talk with your doctor if you have symptoms like:
What symptoms should you get immediate medical attention for?Although first trimester spotting is common, it could be serious if you experience:
These could be signs of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, both of which require immediate medical attention. Ideally, a person should seek preconception care and pre-pregnancy counseling if possible. You should seek care immediately if you’re experiencing severe or unusual vaginal bleeding or pain. A healthcare professional will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history to determine the best course of treatment for you. Your doctor may recommend blood tests, such as your blood type and Rhesus (Rh) factor, to determine if you need Rho(D) immune globulin. This is an injection given to those who are Rh-negative routinely between 27 and 28 weeks, and usually again within 72 hours of delivery. It’s also given to those who experience bleeding during pregnancy. If you are unsure about your blood type, talk with your doctor. Even though not all bleeding is an emergency or a sign of complications, your doctor will likely want to perform tests, such as a vaginal ultrasound, to confirm if you’re pregnant and to make sure the fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus and isn’t ectopic. Implantation bleeding occurs when a fertilized egg (zygote) attaches to the lining of your uterus. It may be confused with a regular period because of the symptoms it causes and the time it typically occurs. However, implantation bleeding is often much shorter and lighter than a regular period. Although implantation bleeding is not usually a cause for concern, you should talk with a doctor if you experience symptoms like:
Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and evaluate whether treatment is necessary. Can implantation bleeding be red and stringy?Implantation bleeding signs and colour
The blood from implantation bleeding is typically pinkish or brown, but it could also be red. It could show up as one spot on your underwear or the bleeding could last a few days. “For most women, it's usually much lighter than a period,” says Langlais.
Can you pass stringy blood when pregnant?Bleeding in pregnancy may be light or heavy, dark or bright red. You may pass clots or “stringy bits”.
Can implantation bleeding have blood mucus?Implantation bleeding may appear as light spotting — blood that appears when you wipe — or a light, consistent flow that requires a liner or light pad. The blood may or may not be mixed with cervical mucus.
Can implantation bleeding be bright red with small clots?Implantation bleeding doesn't usually result in clots. Clotting is typically the result of heavier menstrual flow or bleeding.
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Implantation bleeding red stringy blood early pregnancy
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