If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably come across some spotting which is not similar to your usual period discharge. A lot of people, even women of childbearing age, don’t know this but implantation bleeding is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. The reason why there isn’t a lot of awareness of it is because not all women experience it, sometimes it is mistaken for the start of the menstrual period, and often the blood released is not enough to be noticed. The process of implantation bleeding is completely normal and there is nothing for you to worry about. However, if the bleeding is heavy and is accompanied by certain other symptoms, there might be some cause of concern.
It is necessary to know how the process occurs to understand why it is not normal for the bleeding to be heavy. The bloody discharge occurs when the fertilized ovum physically attaches itself to the endometrial lining in the uterus. From here, it gets all the necessary blood and nutrients to grow. Now; while this occurs, some blood from the blood vessels is let out, which you see in the form of spots.
How to know if it is implantation bleeding
Usually, the process occurs on the 10th-14th day after conception, but in some cases there can be variation. Also, since the spotting occurs before the start of your menstrual cycle, it would be easy for you to notice. The color of blood can be brown, light pink or bright red. It might seem slightly unusual to some, but you shouldn’t lose any sleep on it.
There is a chance that you will feel some mild cramps if the egg has attached itself fairly deeper into the womb, but the pain will only last for a day or two. But we can’t say with certainty how long will the blood discharge go on for. Usually, it is only for a few minutes or hours but it can also take a day or two.
You should worry only when you notice spots after three days, as it might be a symptom of an infection or even a miscarriage. However, take note that not all women experience implantation bleeding before pregnancy, and some of them go through it only when having their first child.
How heavy is implantation bleeding?
If the flow of blood is heavy, chances are that you’ll need to visit your gynecologist. Here is the reason -as we learned above; the blood that is removed by the fertilized egg is so little that one might not even notice it. In some cases, you might notice one or few spots of blood, but the blood discharge shouldn’t be as heavy as it is during a period. Possible reasons for heavy blood discharge could be that the egg has attached itself to the fallopian tube, or the ovary, cervix or the stomach, although it’s not a common occurrence. This is what doctors call early ectopic pregnancy, during which you are likely to suffer from severe cramps. Other symptoms indicating that you are suffering from it are blood clots, pain in the pelvic region as well as light headedness.
Let’s get into a little more detail about when you should seek a doctor’s help –
- If the blood discharge is heavy and has not stopped even after 3 days, as mentioned above. However, if it is light pink in color and only shows itself in form of a few spots; you shouldn’t worry too much about it, even if the bleeding lasts for more than three days.
- If you notice extended, heavy bleeding even after your pregnancy has been confirmed.
- If you experience unusually long, heavy bleeding during your periods.
- If you feel acute pain and dizziness along with the bleeding.
- If you notice pathological spotting.
How to deal with heavy implantation bleeding?
If you recognize any of these symptoms, make sure you schedule an appointment with your doctor at the earliest. Most of these diseases are treatable if reported at an early stage, and the longer you wait, the fewer will be your chances to be cured. Another thing you should know is that this is not a rare phenomenon; a lot of women have reported their blood discharge to be heavy and persist for an unusually long period. But make sure that you are attentive to the signs and pay heed to the voice that tells you ‘something odd is going on’. When the question is of your reproductive health, it can never hurt to be too cautious. But that doesn’t mean you should read into your symptoms too much and end up having a panic attack. The key is to maintain a calm attitude, staying positive and contacting your doctor whenever you feel the need.