Implantation symptoms, like abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, are signs that a fertilized egg has attached to a woman's uterine wall. It is here where the baby will grow and develop throughout the entirety of the pregnancy.
Symptoms of implantation tend to be very subtle, and many women do not notice them, even if they are actively monitoring for signs of pregnancy. Even so, the first sign that you should be aware of is the appearance of pink discharge in scant quantities. This is a sign of vaginal bleeding, which can happen about 3 days after conception, along with other symptoms.
Implantation symptoms are not a reliable way to confirm the viability of a pregnancy, however. The most accurate way of confirming pregnancy is by completing a pregnancy test, which should be done after your period is delayed. Learn about how to complete an over-the-counter pregnancy test and how to interpret results.
Signs of implantation
The most common implantation symptoms are:
- Mild abdominal bloating on the sixth or seventh day after the fertile period
- Vagina bleeding that looks like pink discharge discharge up to 3 days after sex - read more about what implantation bleeding looks like
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Mild but persistent headache
- Sore and swollen breasts
About 4 weeks after implantation, first symptoms of pregnancy will normally begin to emerge. These usually include morning sickness and a late period. Learn more about the first symptoms of a pregnancy.
For implantation, and the eventual pregnancy, to happen, a viable sperm must first meet with an egg. This will most likely occur during the woman's fertile period. Eggs will remain viable during the fertile period for 12 to 24 hours, as they travel to the uterus, while sperm can survive for 48 to 72 hours.
Enter your information in the calculator below to learn when your next fertile window is:
When to take a pregnancy test
To confirm a pregnancy, you can opt to complete an over-the-counter pharmacy test first. This should only be done after your expected period. If this test shows a positive result, you should confirm it with a blood test that evaluates your beta-HCG levels. Either of these tests can be completed as soon as your period is late.
In addition to these pregnancy tests, another way of confirming pregnancy is by completing an ultrasound. An obstetrical ultrasound can identify the presence of an embryo and can pick up the baby’s heart beats. It is important to be followed by an OBGYN once pregnancy is confirmed to ensure your well-being as well as the baby’s well-being throughout your pregnancy.