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You may have heard of implantation cramps from mothers around you. These are rare, but can be an early sign of pregnancy.
At this stage, it’s too early to take a pregnancy test but you’re probably impatient for answers. It’s important to know what symptoms to look out for, like implantation cramps and spotting.
If you are cramping, you may wonder if you’re pregnant. Some women even worry that something is wrong. But while rare, some pain from implantation is normal and should not be a cause for concern.
In this article we’ll dive deep into implantation cramps: why they happen, how common they are, what they feel like, and what to do if you are experiencing them.
Key Takeaways
- Implantation cramping is a normal, although rare, part of early pregnancy.
- Some women look for implantation and cramping as good signs. If you are hoping for implantation but not feeling pain, don’t lose hope. Very few women can actually feel implantation.
- More reliable signs are from progesterone rise after implantation has already occurred. These symptoms include breast tenderness, appetite changes, and constipation.
- Still, even these signs are not definitive. Tracking your progesterone levels is a great way to gain valuable insights into your body during this critical time.
- A pregnancy test can also yield an accurate result as early as one day after your missed period.
How does implantation cramp feel like?
Implantation cramps feel like a dull, mild pulling or twinging sensation on the side of your abdomen where the egg was fertilized. This cramping is generally not as painful or uncomfortable as the cramping you feel on your period. And it also doesn’t last as long.
How soon will I get implantation cramps?
If you experience implantation cramps, it will likely be several days before your expected period. This is because the cramping would coincide with when implantation happens which is around 6 – 12 days after you ovulate. But remember that a lot of women don’t actually experience implantation cramping, so don’t worry if you’re not noticing this symptom.
What are early signs of implantation?
Early signs of implantation are due to your rising progesterone levels. These signs can include:
- Breast tenderness
- Appetite changes
- Constipation
- Tummy issues
- Back aches
What are the 5 stages of implantation?
Here’s what happens during each of the 5 phases of implantation:
- Phase 1: Migration/hatching – the blastocyst (fertilized egg) travels to the uterus and it begins to reshape into a sphere
- Phase 2: Pre-contact – the blastocyst begins to elongate
- Phase 3: Attachment – the cells of the blastocyst begin to make contact with the endometrium (the lining of your uterus)
- Phase 4: Adhesion – the blastocyst firmly nestles into the endometrium (the lining of your uterus)
- Phase 5: Invasion – the blastocyst “invades” the uterine lining and its cells begin to make contact with the maternal blood supply
How long after implantation will I test positive?
The length of time after implantation that it takes to test positive can vary slightly. It depends on the sensitivity of the pregnancy test you’re using, your unique hCG levels, as well as precisely when you ovulated. Implantation happens somewhere between 6 DPO and 12 DPO, but there’s no way to definitively know exactly when in that window it took place. So the rule of thumb with pregnancy testing is to wait at least one day after you’ve missed your expected period. This will generally be 12 DPO or later.
How do I know I'm having implantation cramps?
You can tell implantation cramps apart from menstrual cramps in two main ways: intensity and timing. Implantation cramps tend to be much more mild and less painful. They are also more short-lived and will happen earlier in your cycle than you would normally feel period cramping
How intense can implantation cramps be?
Implantation cramps tend to be much less intense and painful than period cramps. But it really depends on each individual and their experience of the sensation. Some women may not notice implantation cramping at all while for others it may be more bothersome.
What week of pregnancy is implantation?
Implantation would generally fall between week 3 and 4 of pregnancy. This is because pregnancy dating starts from the first day of your cycle and implantation happens around 6 – 12 days after ovulation. For example, if you ovulated on cycle Day 12, implantation would typically happen between Day 18 and Day 24 of your cycle.
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- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5769129/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3213855/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4646159/
- https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/968141/
- https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/21/8/2000/2938628
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3409914/
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