Understanding Implantation Bleeding
Implantation bleeding is bleeding that occurs due to the fertilized egg burrowing itself into the lining of the uterine wall. This typically will occur around 7 to 10 days after a woman ovulates, and after the egg has been fertilized. Implantation bleeding is often noticeable, and occasional a woman who is experiencing implantation bleeding will, not knowing what it is, mistake implantation bleeding for a period that has come early. Implantation bleeding does not occur in every woman. If implantation bleeding is going to occur, however, it is most likely to occur between a week and a few days before a period would normally begin.
Implantation bleeding is also sometimes known as implantation spotting. Implantation bleeding tends to be pinkish or brown in color, and tends also to be more sparse than, for example, menstrual bleeding. Having said that, some women may spot prior to their period, as well. If this happens, however, the spotting will pick up, it will become heavier, and eventually lead into the period. Implantation bleeding typically will stop after just a short time, and will almost never lead to heavier and heavier bleeding. In addition, implantation bleeding will vary greatly from menstruation in its consistency and its appearance.
Implantation bleeding can be a relatively common and normal symptom of your pregnancy. It is estimated that around a quarter of women will have some sort of spotting or another during the early weeks of pregnancy, and this spotting is very often due to implantation bleeding. If you have been trying to conceive, implantation bleeding may be a sign that you have been successful, and you might follow up your implantation bleeding with a pregnancy test within about two days or so.
If you are bleeding heavily during pregnancy, or if you are spotting regularly during pregnancy, you should discuss this with your health care provider. Severe bleeding during pregnancy is not normal, and it can indicate that there is a problem that you need to have looked at.