During the time of conception, light bleeding can occur, which is known as implantation bleeding. It is very common and generally not considered a health risk.
What is Implantation Bleeding?
After the fertilization process, egg needs to implant itself in the uterus lining. For this, the egg moves through the fallopian tube before reaching the uterine lining. This egg movement can disrupt the lining of the uterus, causing it to bleed a little. This is implantation bleeding and can occur a week or so after conception. It can indicative of your pregnancy, if you have been trying to get pregnant, and the bleeding can occur even before you realize you are pregnant.
The timing of implantation bleeding and your menstrual cycle can be the same, causing further confusion as to whether you are pregnant or not. But there are clear signs to distinguish between the two.
So, what does implantation bleeding look like? Well, the blood is a shade or two lighter than your normal period bleeding. Some women can have rust-colored bleeding while others can have blood that is pink in color. You won’t have clots when it is implantation bleeding while many women have clotting in their menstrual flow.
Implantation bleeding symptoms can include light blood flow and mild cramping. The cramps during the menstrual flow are more severe than what you can expect when you experience bleeding at the time of conception. Other symptoms can include nausea, mood swings, headaches and breast tenderness. Women normally experience these same symptoms during their period as well.
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How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last?
Implantation bleeding can last for a few days. Generally, women who use birth control pills can bleed for fewer days than those who don’t use any pills. But there is no fixed time for implantation bleeding as such. Some women can even experience it for only a few hours instead of days.
Can Implantation Bleeding be heavy?
It is not usually heavy but can be a continuous light flow, occurring intermittently. But if you experience bleeding that is lighter than your period but heavier than implantation bleeding, you should consult your doctor once.
When unsure if the bleeding is related to your period or not, these symptoms and characteristics of implantation bleeding can help you differentiate between the two.
A woman during her first pregnancy can have implantation bleeding that lasts longer than subsequent pregnancies, as by then the body will be used to the implantation procedure. So, the bleeding will usually be less or might also be totally non-existent.
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What are the Possible Treatments?
Implantation bleeding requires no treatment. It is a normal process during conception and resolves on its own. If you are concerned, you can talk to your doctor to alleviate any fears related to it. Bleeding during pregnancy is a cause of concern only when it occurs after the conception. So, talk to your doctor, if you experience spotting or any sort of bleeding later during your pregnancy.
Implantation bleeding also does not cause any harm to the embryo. If you experience severe abdomen pain with implantation bleeding, then make sure to tell your doctor about it immediately. When you experience bleeding during conception, try not to perform strenuous activities. It is important that you rest and relax during this time.
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