Implantation Bleeding: How Long does it Last

Implantation bleeding is an important early pregnancy symptom, that goes unnoticed by most women. This slight bleeding helps you understand, whether you are pregnant, especially when you are trying to conceive. If you know you are pregnant and see some spotting, it may create panic in your mind about losing the baby or if you were expecting to be pregnant, it may be a disappointing sign of periods. Let us first understand, what does implantation bleeding mean.

What is Implantation Bleeding?
To understand bleeding during implantation, you need to understand what happens within your body during your menstrual cycle. The egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube to reach the uterus. Once the egg encounters a viable sperm during its trip down the uterus, it gets fertilized. The fertilized egg will try to get lodged or implant itself on the lining of the uterus. The lining of the uterus is a nourishing place for the egg that helps it in getting all the required nourishment to grow. If the egg does not meet any sperm on its way, it gets expelled along with the uterine lining, during your periods.

But, when it is fertilized and implanted in the uterus, it will require about 9 days after the fertilization for it to grow into a fetus. The nourishing uterus lining that is rich in blood and nutrients is known as the endometrial lining. The egg gets implanted into the endometrial lining in about 6 to 12 days after fertilization. As the endometrial lining is rich in blood, a few drops of bloods may trickle down the cervix into the vagina. This is known as implantation bleeding. The implantation bleeding color is different from the color of bleeding in case of periods. The color of bleeding during implantation is dark brown or black, whereas the periods bleeding color is red. The implantation bleeding color is darker as it takes a few days for the blood to move out of the uterus into the vagina.

The tiny cell cluster or blastocyst (fertilized egg) gets implanted into the uterus after traveling through the fallopian tube and then attaching itself to the lining of the uterus. One third of the women spot pinkish or brownish blood around the time of implantation. The common color is brown, although there may be cases of a bit reddish bleeding.

How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last After Conception
Implantation bleeding does not look like regular periods. It is scanty and more like a brownish discharge. If you are wondering about how long after fertilization is it spotted, then the answer is that it may occur 9 days after ovulation. Ovulation is seen 6 to 12 days before normal menstruation starts. You may see some bleeding around a week after ovulation. If there is a spotting, couple of days before periods, it may not be implantation bleeding. It may be light in the start and get heavier as the periods starts. Though, many times spotting is an early pregnancy symptom. Thus, you should try a pregnancy test, in this case to remove all confusion.

How Long Should Implantation Bleeding Last
Let us now answer the question about how long should it last. It may take up to 12 days for spotting to be seen, that confuses women that it is a sign of pregnancy or a sign of periods. If you are confused about the bleeding period, then the answer is one or two days. It usually stops in a day or two. If it does not and continues to get heavier or remains the same, it may be a sign of approaching normal menstruation. Implantation bleeding duration does not last for a full day or so. It is just a slight spot you may notice on your underwear. It may even be seen on a used toilet paper, thus missing the eye of many women.

Although it is possible that implantation bleeding duration after conceiving may last for more than two days in many women and spell pregnancy. If you find spotting even after you are sure of being pregnant, it may be a sign of Ectopic pregnancy and requires medical attention.

Implantation bleeding, how long does it last, generally answered as a couple of days at most. Many women experience insignificant bleeding, thus that they never notice at all. The bleeding color that is pinkish or brownish in color also signifies pregnancy. In order to be sure, watch out for other pregnancy signs before missed periods, to be sure you have conceived. You may not even have implantation bleeding, thus do not wait for noticing implantation blood. If you have the hunch, take a pregnancy test to confirm your intuition. If you have pain along with more of implantation bleeding, consult your doctor immediately. It may be a sign of miscarriage. In the end, its duration is generally no more than one or two days. Always follow medical advice for a sensitive issue like pregnancy. After all, it is not a matter of only your life, but your child's too.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult a health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.