Implantation Bleeding Symptom: Cramping

Studies show that implantation bleeding and its associated symptoms are experienced by twenty to thirty percent of women during early pregnancy. Before learning about cramping during implantation bleeding let's understand what implantation bleeding exactly is.

During the menstrual cycle when ovulation takes place, the ovary releases the eggs. A particular egg fertilizes with a viable sperm after copulation. After fertilization, the egg reaches the uterus and implants itself in the lining of the uterus referred to as the endometrial lining. This endometrium is rich in blood and nutrients and so, when the fertilized egg gets implanted in it, a small amount of blood passes out of the body through the vagina. This bleeding is known as implantation bleeding or 'spotting', the earliest sign of pregnancy. After the fertilization of the egg, it takes 6 - 12 days for implantation to take place.

Cramping

Implantation occurs a week after fertilization. That is the time when you may experience cramps along with bleeding if you are pregnant, because implantation is known to cause cramps in some cases. But cramps during implantation bleeding alone are not a sign of pregnancy. For pregnancy to be confirmed, implantation bleeding and cramps should be accompanied by other pregnancy symptoms like nausea or vomiting, a bloated abdomen, sensitive breasts, fatigue, mood swings, headaches and craving for certain food items. A continuous raised basal body temperature for more than two weeks is also observed in some cases. The best time to take a pregnancy test is ten days after ovulation occurs i.e. 3 - 4 days after implantation, so that the tests can provide accurate results.

Light cramping is a common occurrence. However, severe cramps could be one of the early ectopic pregnancy symptoms especially if accompanied by other symptoms like pelvic pain, shoulder pain, weakness or dizziness, blood clotting and heavy bleeding that extends beyond five days. Ectopic pregnancy occurs outside the uterus in either the fallopian tube, abdomen, ovary or cervix. If you are pregnant and experience the above mentioned symptoms, consult a gynecologist immediately for a thorough examination.

Cramps and bleeding may also occur due to functional ovarian cysts. These are small, thin, fluid-filled sacs formed on the surface of a woman's ovary during ovulation. Normally, they go away on their own by shrinking, after the egg is released. However, they may also leak or rupture. In such a scenario, they cause vaginal bleeding and severe cramps in the lower abdomen, between menstrual cycles. It may also cause nausea and a delay in the menstrual cycle. These symptoms are similar to the symptoms of implantation bleeding, the only difference being the severity of the cramps and heavy bleeding.

In pregnancy, cramps may occur even if the bleeding is not occurring. After the fertilization, the egg implants itself in the endometrial lining, and this causes the muscles of the uterus to contract. The contraction of muscles can cause cramps in some cases with or without implantation bleeding. If you are already pregnant and are experiencing cramps and heavy bleeding, it might not be implantation bleeding at all . As both these can be a sign of a miscarriage.

Cramps may be totally unrelated to pregnancy and can be experienced during a normal menstrual cycle. Cramping usually begins a week before the periods. If the bleeding and cramping is immediately followed by a normal menstrual cycle then it is probably not implantation bleeding.

Other Symptoms

The blood discharged during implantation is very less. Also, the blood is not fresh as it takes time to come out of the body. That is why, it is brown, dark brown or sometimes pink in color, but never red as in the case of a normal menstrual cycle. This is one of the most obvious signs. If by any chance the bleeding is severe and you think you are experiencing severe symptoms, then probably it is not implantation bleeding at all. It might be an early period or some other health issue. The bleeding period differs from woman to woman, lasting from a couple of days to two weeks.

Some women experience certain changes in their body. The breasts become tender and sensitive. The abdomen too seems full and bloated during the period when one experiences implantation bleeding. This primarily happens due to the body's tendency to retain fluids, mainly water. These bodily changes might last for the initial few months of pregnancy but for some women they continue throughout the pregnancy period, until the child is delivered. Continuous belching and the frequent urge to urinate are also noted during this period.

Cramping during implantation bleeding should not be taken lightly. Any vaginal discharge or cramping which takes place in between the menstrual cycle should be brought to the notice of a doctor, as there could be numerous reasons for the same. If your pregnancy is confirmed, it becomes even more important, to consult a doctor, for both you and your child's health.