Cause: This type of spotting/bleeding is caused by a fertilized egg burrowing itself into the endometrial lining of the uterus.
Time-frame: Approximately 8-10 days from ovulation (though some say 7 – 12 days). In some women this can seem to occur near or at the same time of a scheduled menstrual period, making it a bit harder to recognize. Note: Not all women experience implantation spotting or bleeding and it is probably more common for women to not have this, but have an actual ‘missed’ period, instead. Often, this spotting may only be noticeable for a day or two.
Some experts do not believe that implantation bleeding even exists (especially heavier implantation bleeding… like a lighter period, lasting for more than a day or two). Often, women who have implantation bleeding in lieu of a scheduled period… may mistake it as just an unusual one.
“I first knew I was pregnant with my daughter towards the end of a menstrual period that mostly consisted of spotting. At that time of my life, I normally had quite heavy periods on a regular 28 day cycle… so I felt that something was a bit odd when that period seemed so different from the rest, and I then ended up taking a pregnancy test and the rest is history! My husband and I were actively trying to get pregnant at that time and I had been keeping track of everything… and luckily enough, I took a pregnancy test when I did. If I had not been so aware of what was going on with my body… I may have ended up telling my doctor that my last period had been the one in which I experienced the spotting… instead of telling him my ‘real’ last period. The due date for that pregnancy could have been off by a month!”
– Kathy H., Halifax, NS
Myth or Fact? - Some women may even have lighter periods or spotting for the first few months during pregnancy or even for the entire pregnancy. This is rare, if it even exists. The consensus seems to be that women do not have menstrual periods during pregnancy. During pregnancy, women do not ovulate and menstruation results from ovulation… so no ovulation = no menstruation. Any bleeding or spotting noticed during a pregnancy should be reported to a doctor right away, as it can indicate problems with the pregnancy!