• What is implantation bleeding?
• What does implantation bleeding look like?
• Should I be worried?
• How to spot implantation bleeding

What is implantation bleeding?

During implantation, the foetus plants itself into the wall of your womb. This will form the bond between mother and baby’s blood supply and will eventually grow into the placenta. During this process, a small amount of blood may be released.

What does implantation bleeding look like?

Also known as ‘spotting’ implantation bleeding is a discharge from the vagina which contains a small amount of blood. It is usually pinkish or brownish in colour and lasts between one and three days. Unlike your period, it is intermittent rather than a regular flow that gradually becomes heavier.

Should I be worried?

Around a third of women experience implantation bleeding. Unless accompanied by cramping, backache or increased bleeding, implantation bleeding it nothing to worry about. Whilst early spotting can be an indicator of pregnancy, it can sometimes be easy to misread menstrual spotting as implantation bleeding. For this reason, it’s always best to wait to test for pregnancy until after the date your period was due.

How to spot implantation bleeding?

The following will help you recognise implantation bleeding.

• Appearance – implantation bleeding is pinkish brown rather than the deep red of menstrual blood.
• Length – implantation bleeding usually lasts for a day or two
• Timing – implantation bleeding will occur around 9 days after you ovulate and will appear before your period is due
• Heaviness – implantation bleeding tends to be light spotting or coloured discharged rather than the progressively heavy flow of a menstrual period

For more information on spotting see early signs of pregnancy. If you are at all concerned do not hesitate to call your GP or doctor for medical advice.

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