Implantation: timing, signs and symptoms

 The two-week wait after ovulation is a challenging time for women who are trying to conceive. Many women look for signs and symptoms of implantation, to know if this is the month when the long-awaited conception has happened. In this article, we talk about timing, signs and symptoms of implantation.

What is implantation?

In each cycle, there is a day when the matured egg is released from the ovary (ovulation) and rests in the fallopian tube, waiting to be fertilized by sperm. Once fertilization occurs, cells start dividing and form a cluster (blastocyst). The blastocyst makes its way down the fallopian tubes until it reaches the uterus, where it sticks to the lining (endometrium).

Implantation is this window of time when the blastocyst attaches itself to the endometrium and starts getting your body ready for pregnancy. When implantation is complete the embryo starts releasing an hCG hormone which is detected by pregnancy tests. This hormone sends a message to the corpus luteum to keep producing progesterone. Progesterone will keep the uterus lining intact and ready to maintain the pregnancy.

Implantation happens around 6 to 10 days after ovulation, but it can happen as early as 6 days or as late as 12 days. If you are tracking ovulation with myLotus, you will be able to identify your ovulation date and count 12 days until you do a pregnancy test.

Signs and symptoms of implantation

Most women experience no signs of implantation – even though they are pregnant. If this is your case, there is nothing to worry about. You may not have any signs or symptoms and still, be pregnant. Just wait 12 days to do a pregnancy test.

However, some women do experience some signs and symptoms of implantation:

• Spotting: happens to around 15 to 25% of women during the first trimester of pregnancy. Because it happens so close to the due date of the next period, it can be mistaken by menstruation. However, spotting usually has a lighter colour than the normal menstrual bleeding and is not an actual flow of blood.
• Vaginal discharge: mucus becomes thicker, white or yellow. This is related to increased levels of progesterone and oestrogen.
• Cramps: these are thought to be related to the changes in hormones that are happening with implantation. They are usually less intense than cramps felt before/during normal menstruation.
• Bloating: is related to the rising progesterone which slows the digestive system down. This is similar to what you might feel at the beginning of your period. As the digestive system slows down, you may also feel constipated.
• Tender breasts: hormone levels (hCG, oestrogen and progesterone) may lead to your breasts feeling tender or swollen. It usually happens about 1 to 2 weeks after ovulation.
• Nausea and vomiting: may begin around 2 to 8 weeks after conception.

In conclusion

You can use myLotus to track ovulation. Implantation happens 6 to 12 days after ovulation.

Most women experience no symptoms – and are pregnant! However, other women do have some symptoms described above. You can do a pregnancy test 12 days after ovulation to see if you are pregnant.