What is Implantation Bleeding and What Are the Symptoms?

Implantation bleeding may very well be the first sign that you’re pregnant, as it’s a common and normal occurrence during the very early weeks of pregnancy. You might experience some light bleeding when implantation occurs, which is when the fertilized egg embeds itself into the uterus lining. Since your uterus has blood vessels, this action could cause this light bleeding, a totally normal part of the pregnancy process. Read on to learn more about implantation bleeding and answer questions like when does it occur, how long it might last, what it looks like and more.

What Is Implantation Bleeding and How Common Is It?

Implantation bleeding is a normal occurrence in early pregnancy. It’s a light spotting that may happen when implantation occurs—when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, where it can begin growing. This light bleeding happens because the lining of your uterus contains blood vessels and vascular tissue, so when the fertilized egg embeds itself into the wall, it can cause some of the lining to break away—hence the bleeding. Some may not experience implantation bleeding at all, while others may simply not notice it.

When Does Implantation Bleeding Occur?

If implantation bleeding does happen, this commonly occurs around 10 to 14 days after conception—when a fertilized egg becomes attached to the lining of your uterus. So, does implantation bleeding mean you’re pregnant? In a word—yes! You can only experience implantation bleeding if a fertilized egg embeds itself into your uterus lining, which means you’re pregnant. Of course, you’ll want to test and talk to your healthcare provider to be sure. If you’re wondering, “how long after sex does implantation bleeding occur?” keep in mind that conception may not happen on the same day you had sex. Sperm can live as long as five days inside the reproductive tract, and conception might not occur for several days after sex.

How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last?

It’s common to wonder how long implantation bleeding can last—1 day, 3 days, 5 days? The duration of the bleeding can vary; however, it generally lasts from a few hours up to 2 days.

What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like?

What are the signs and symptoms of implantation bleeding, and what does it look and feel like? If you experience this early sign of pregnancy, you could observe the following:

• Light bleeding or small drops of blood from the vagina

• A brownish discharge or spotting that is brown or pink

• Bleeding or spotting that starts around the time your menstrual period usually starts and lasts from a few hours up to about two days.

If you’re concerned about any of your symptoms or you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing implantation bleeding or something else, consult your healthcare provider. Implantation bleeding doesn’t typically include cramps or heavy bleeding, so your healthcare provider can be a good resource when other symptoms are involved.

Implantation Bleeding vs. Your Period

It’s quite easy to mistake implantation bleeding for your menstrual period, as it often occurs around the same time that your period would’ve been due. There are some differences between implantation bleeding and a period to pay attention to, such as the amount of bleeding, the timing and the colour. So, what colour is implantation bleeding, and can it be red? What does implantation bleeding look like, whether you notice it in the toilet or on your underwear? Is it heavy? Here is some advice on how to recognize implantation bleeding and differentiate implantation bleeding vs. your period vs. spotting:

As implantation bleeding is an early symptom of pregnancy, what you may also notice are some of the other positive signs, such as morning sickness, fatigue or sore breasts.

Can You Take a Pregnancy Test During Implantation Bleeding?

If you think that you’re experiencing implantation bleeding rather than your period, you may wonder if you should take a pregnancy test. You can take a home pregnancy test during implantation bleeding, but if you test too early, you might get a negative result. Here's why: The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (or hCG) detected by pregnancy tests only starts being produced in your body the moment the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus—which is the trigger for implantation bleeding. That means it’s highly unlikely that you can get a positive pregnancy test before implantation. The earlier you take the test, the less hCG there is to detect, meaning that the test may not yet be accurate. If you’re wondering how long after implantation bleeding you can test, keep in mind that you’ll get a more accurate test result if you wait until after the first day of your missed period. If you get a positive test result, you can schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm your pregnancy. And you can try out our Due Date Calculator for an estimate of when your little one will be born.

Should You See Your Healthcare Provider?

Implantation bleeding is generally nothing to be concerned about, but it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or unexplained bleeding during pregnancy. Although light bleeding in early pregnancy can be normal, occasionally, there may be another issue that needs to be addressed.

The Bottom Line

Implantation bleeding is a normal occurrence that may happen during early pregnancy. When the fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of your uterus, this may cause light and short-lived bleeding for some. It can occur anywhere from 10 to 14 days after conception and may last up to two days, though many may not even notice it. Understanding the signs and causes of implantation bleeding can help you better understand your body and fertility.