Learn all about the signs and symptoms of Implantation bleeding and when should you take a pregnancy test.  

When you are trying to get pregnant, you will be hyper aware of every sign, every ache and craving in your body, wondering whether it’s a sign of pregnancy. One of the most common signs of pregnancy is bleeding. In case you have some light spotting, does it denote anything?

While in the first instance it can be hard to tell, during normal pregnancy what you may see is called implantation bleeding.

What is Implantation bleeding?

It is the light bleeding or spotting which occurs between 7 to 14 days after fertilization. After ovulation and the moment, the egg is fertilized by the sperm, the embryo starts growing. During this period, the inner lining of the uterus starts to change in order to nourish and protect the embryo.

Within 5 to 6 days after fertilization, the growing embryo moves down the fallopian into the uterus. Implantation bleeding starts when the embryo makes its way to the uterus, causing the blood vessels to burst.

Implantation bleeding signs

Though it isn’t easy to tell the difference between implantation bleeding and menstrual bleeding, but here are some of the signs you need to observe:

Colour of discharge: The colour of implantation bleeding is likely to be pink-brown in colour. On the other hand, menstrual bleeding can turn crimson red.

Cramping: Cramping due to period is usually more intense and lasts longer. While cramps during implantation is usually short-lived and less intense

Clotting: Implantation bleeding does not produce a mix of blood and tissue as compared to menstrual bleeding.

Duration: Implantation bleeding lasts between 1 to 3 days as compared to your periods which can last between 4 to 7 days.

Symptoms of pregnancy

In case of pregnancy, you are likely to experience the following:

• Nausea

• Breast tenderness

• Headaches

• Lower back pain

• Fatigue

Such symptoms are the result of hormonal changes occurring in your body to support pregnancy. However, you can experience such symptoms during a period as well.

Taking a pregnancy test

Since, it's not easy to tell the difference between menstrual and implantation bleeding, you should take up a pregnancy test to check if you could be pregnant. They measure the level of HCG hormone in your blood.

A urine pregnancy test is 99 percent accurate. In case you have a negative result, but you feel the symptoms are persistent, wait till 7 days and retest.