What is Implantation bleeding?

Implantation bleeding is light bleeding that occurs 10 -14 days after conception. This slight bleeding is actually common, 3 out of 10 women experience it and does not imply that there is any risk in pregnancy.
However, let’s clarify that not all women will experience implantation bleeding or spotting, in fact, it’s possible that the same woman does not experience it in all her pregnancies.

Why does Implantation bleeding happen?

Implantation bleeding occurs when the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. We will briefly explain this process:

• Fertilization occurs when the sperm enters the ovum giving rise to the zygote, in approximately 72 hours, the zygote becomes morula (the zygote segmentation) and about 4-5 days later it becomes a blastocyst.
• The blastocyst will travel from the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where it will adhere to the endometrium, the mucous membrane that covers the inside of the uterus, and will remain there for the rest of the pregnancy. It is what we know as embryonic implantation.
• Embryo implantation is essential for the development of the embryo because it allows it to receive oxygen and it provides the necessary nutrients during the first stage of pregnancy.
• During this adhesion process, a slight tearing of the endometrium and the rupture of some blood vessels usually occurs. This involves a slight loss of blood, which in a couple of days can cause slight bleeding, which we call implantation bleeding.

Implantation bleeding sometimes does not occur or goes unnoticed, but in some women it is more evident. Many women are alarmed when they see it, thinking that they are spotting because something is not going well or mistaking it for a period. But implantation bleeding is not a bad sign, it may be one of the first signs of pregnancy and it is harmless to our health.

Therefore, here from Clínica Fertia we want to give you some tips that can help you identify implantation bleeding and differentiate it from menstruation.

How to recognize Implantation bleeding.

It is very common for implantation bleeding to be confused with a period. The differences are, on many occasions, subtle, so it is important to pay special attention to these four aspects:

• The colour: Implantation bleeding usually has darker, brown tones instead of intense reds, and this difference can be seen with the naked eye.
• The amount : the flow should be considerably less than that produced during menstruation. Sometimes it is very short with only a few drops or a small blood stain.
• The density : Implantation bleeding is usually lighter and more diluted than menstruation.
• The duration : It usually lasts between 1 and 3 days. It is usually shorter than a regular period and never lasts more than 5 days.

During implantation bleeding, if a pregnancy test is done, the result may not be reliable, as it is usually too early to detect the pregnancy hormone or chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

During these days it is always advisable to pay special attention to your body. Many women also observe other signs that can help to identify whether or not they are pregnant such as hypersensitivity in the breasts, nausea, fatigue, tiredness, headache, increased basal temperature. These may be some of the first symptoms of pregnancy.

If the bleeding lasts more than 4-5 days, if it is abundant and accompanied by severe abdominal pain, it is advisable to go to the clinic.

If you are in waiting for a process of IVF, ICSI, egg donation, ROPA method or any other reproduction treatment we want to send you a reassuring message. It is important not to obsess over the symptoms since, although it is true that some may coincide with the first symptoms of pregnancy, many of them are caused by the medication itself.

Try to relax and enjoy the process until the day of your Beta. And remember that if you need to, you can call the clinic to clarify any concerns or to ask questions regarding the medication and your symptoms.

If you are trying to get pregnant, we recommend that you come to Clínica Fertia and make a preconception consultation, especially if you suffer from any type of illness such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or if you have had any complications in previous pregnancies.

In this first preconception consultation our team will check your general health status and give you some guidelines to improve your chances of getting pregnant and avoid any risks and possible complications.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or queries, we are always here to help you.