Implantation bleeding: what it looks like and how to tell it from a period
Implantation bleeding is light spotting that some women notice when a fertilised egg attaches to the womb lining, usually 6 to 12 days after ovulation, around when your period is due. It's pink or brown, much lighter than a period, and lasts from a few hours to 2 days. Many women don't have it at all. Heavy bleeding, clots or strong pain are not implantation bleeding and need checking.
Key facts
| When | 6 to 12 days after ovulation |
|---|---|
| Colour | Light pink or brown |
| Amount | Spotting, with no clots |
| Lasts | A few hours to 2 days |
| Bleeding in early pregnancy | About 1 in 4 women have some |
What happens at implantation
After fertilisation in the fallopian tube, the egg divides and travels to the womb over about a week. It then burrows into the soft lining. Small blood vessels can break as it settles, causing a little spotting.
Implantation bleeding or your period?
| Implantation bleeding | Period | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Light pink or brown | Bright to dark red |
| Flow | Spotting, only when you wipe or on a liner | Starts light, gets heavier |
| Clots | No | Sometimes |
| How long | Hours to 2 days | 3 to 7 days |
| Cramps | Mild or none | Often stronger |
When to take a pregnancy test
Wait until the day your period is due, or 3 days after the spotting. Testing during the spotting itself is often too early. Read when to take a pregnancy test.
Other causes of spotting in early pregnancy
- A sensitive cervix after sex or an internal examination
- Infections, including thrush or sexually transmitted infections
- Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (see below)
When to see a doctor
Get checked the same day for bleeding that gets heavier, clots, cramping pain, pain on one side, shoulder-tip pain, or feeling faint. Read about miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
Does implantation hurt?
If I didn't spot, did implantation fail?
Can implantation bleeding be red?
Sources
- ACOG: Bleeding during pregnancy
- NHS: Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy
- Wilcox AJ et al. Time of implantation of the conceptus. NEJM 1999
General information, not medical advice. Medical disclaimer · How we review content
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