Is Implantation Bleeding Actually A Thing?

So, you have been trying to have a baby for a while now. After days upon days of eager anticipation and excitement, you saw yet another bleed.

Downcast and sad, you thought this was evidence that you were not pregnant and you would have to try again.

STOP!

Before you make up your mind that you are not pregnant, you MIGHT have implantation bleeding.

What is implantation bleeding?

Implantation bleeding is an early sign of pregnancy that occurs when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus to begin pregnancy. After fertilization, the fertilized egg travels down through the fallopian tube into the womb. During the process of implantation, small blood vessels in the womb rupture. This leads to some slight bleeding (which is more commonly seen as spotting).

What are the signs and symptoms?

The main symptom is light bleeding. This bleeding is usually earlier, that is, before the normal expected menstrual bleeding.

About 1/3 of all women who have experienced it claim that it is darker than normal menstrual bleeding.

However, the remaining 2/3 could not differentiate it from regular menstrual bleeding.

Some women may also experience dizziness, tender breasts, constipation, cramping. Also, there might be complaints of nausea and vomiting, a raised body temperature, and a slight headache.

Is there any treatment?

Implantation bleeding is a perfectly normal sign of pregnancy and usually clears itself within 3-4 days.

However,

If it extends beyond this, please see your doctor as soon as possible to rule out other causes of bleeding during pregnancy.

It is important to remember you might have to wait a little longer to confirm your pregnancy via a pregnancy test.

Please do not forget that the presence of bleeding does not mean you are pregnant.

Also, its absence does not mean you are not pregnant.