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What is implantation?Generally speaking, “implantation” is the term used to describe when a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining. An egg can only be fertilized when sperm successfully meets with a viable egg — this egg then travels from one of your tubes toward your uterine lining, where it attaches and begins to grow. It’s called implantation because the egg literally implants in your uterus in order to turn into a fetus. Implantation usually occurs about 6 to 10 days after conception, and although this might seem incredibly early, knowing some of the signs of implantation can help you determine when to take a pregnancy test to get the most accurate results. Take a quizFind out what you can do with our Health Assistant When does implantation occur?Implantation of a fertilized egg usually occurs about 6 to 10 days after conception. In order for you to be pregnant, your embryo needs to implant successfully into the uterine lining, which has thickened for this purpose between your last period and ovulation. Once implantation happens, your body releases a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which produces changes in the body to support your pregnancy. Interestingly, this is the hormone pregnancy tests detect to deliver a positive result.
Implantation: Early signs of pregnancy, from bleeding to implantation crampsSome women and people who menstruate are adamant that they “know” as soon as they are pregnant, and it’s true that implantation does sometimes come with early signs it has taken place. Things to look out for include light bleeding and light cramps. The light bleeding, or spotting, that sometimes occurs is called implantation bleeding. It happens when the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining. Implantation bleeding is completely normal, so try not to worry if you notice it. Equally, not everyone will experience this symptom. Depending on your cycle, implantation bleeding often shows up around the time you’d expect to start your period, which can be a little confusing. However, implantation bleeding is lighter than typical menstrual bleeding and usually doesn’t last as long either. Cramps are another sign of implantation, which can happen as a result of the fertilized egg attaching to your uterine lining. Some feel these cramps in the abdomen, pelvis, or lower back, while others don’t feel any cramping at all. What happens after implantation?It’s important to remember that every pregnancy is unique — just as every baby is different — so try not to compare your experience to others. Some of us have every common symptom of pregnancy, while others only have a few (or none at all). If your periods are usually as regular as clockwork, and you’ve missed your period date by a week or more, it could be an indication that implantation has taken place and you’re pregnant. Remember that the first signs of pregnancy — things like tiredness, nausea, and sore or swollen breasts — appear around week six, so you won’t be able to tell if you’re pregnant right away. Taking a pregnancy test is the best way to find out. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that many of us have irregular menstrual cycles, in which case a missed period doesn’t necessarily indicate a pregnancy. Irregular menstrual cycles are very common and can happen for lots of reasons, including taking certain medicines or having medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, eating disorders, or diabetes. If your period is late and you think you might be pregnant, these are some early pregnancy symptoms you can look out for:
Implantation: The takeawaySo, we’ve learned that implantation is the moment when a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine wall, typically 6 to 10 days after conception. We also now know that there can be some early signs of pregnancy to look out for, from light bleeding to sore breasts and tiredness. If you’re trying for a baby and you miss a period, the first thing to do is take a pregnancy test. Regardless of the result, we’d suggest making an appointment with your health care professional. They’ll be able to confirm you’re pregnant or get to the bottom of what caused your missed or delayed period. Do pregnancy symptoms start after implantation?Implantation typically happens 6–12 days after fertilization. This is the time when women may begin to experience pregnancy symptoms, including: breast tenderness.
What are the signs of successful implantation?Some women do notice signs and symptoms that implantation has occurred. Signs may include light bleeding, cramping, nausea, bloating, sore breasts, headaches, mood swings, and possibly a change in basal body temperature. But — and here's the frustrating part — many of these signs are very similar to PMS.
How long after implantation does hCG rise?After implantation, production of hCG starts from cells in the developing placenta (tissue that will feed the fetus). Trace levels of hCG can be detected as early as eight days after ovulation. That means you could get positive results several days before you expect your period to start.
Can you have pregnancy symptoms 3 days after implantation?It's unlikely that you will experience any pregnancy symptoms at 3 DPO. The luteal phase starts the day that you ovulate and continues until you have your first day of bleeding (not spotting).
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