Implantation cramping is a sign of pregnancy. So is the implantation bleeding. Understanding the differences between implantation cramping and period cramping will help people recognize them. But what are these implantation cramps all about, and how long do they last? Read on to know.
If you pay careful attention to your menstrual health while you are awaiting the confirmation of your pregnancy, you may or may not experience slight abdominal spasms, light pulling, or pricking pains in your lower abdomen. These are medically termed implantation cramps. To know all information on Symptoms of Implantation Cramping click here.
In This Article
- Implantation Cramps In Early Pregnancy
- What Is Implantation Cramps?
- What Does Implantation Cramping Feel?
- Where Did You Feel Implantation Cramps?
- Is Implantation Painful?
- About Implantation Dip?
- Is Implantation Cramps Accompanied By Implantation Bleeding?
- When Do They Occur?
- How Different Do Implantation Cramps Feel From Period Bleeding?
- How Long Do Implantation Cramps Last?
- Are There Any Symptoms That Accompany Implantation Cramping?
- Is Implantation Cramping A Confirmed Sign Of Pregnancy?
Implantation Cramps In Early Pregnancy
When you are emotionally and psychologically ready to embrace motherhood and are diligently trying to conceive, the smallest of the signs of pregnancy could give you immense joy! At the same time, the smallest signs of menstruation could lead to heartache and disappointment. Implantation cramping could prove to be one of those ambiguous signs – those that cause nervousness and anxiety in anticipation of some ‘good’ news.
What Is Implantation Cramps?
As the embryo – the union of egg and sperm –embeds itself in the walls of the uterus, there occurs some amount of melting of the uterine mucous membrane. This melting occurs right at the place where the fertilized egg latches onto the uterine wall. This process of the reproductive cycle is called implantation. The embryo is considered safely ensconced in your womb after implantation.
What Does Implantation Cramping Feel?
Women’s mistakes implantation for their premenstrual cramps, especially both happen at the same time. Most women would expect that the next menstrual cycle is going to begin.
This makes more confusion. Both cramps are usually mild to moderate. However, differentiate implantation cramps from menstrual cramps, if you experience the following sensations:
- Pulling
- Pricking
- Tingling feeling
If you experience any persistent pain, sharp, talk to your healthcare person, as this is a sign of a more serious one.
Where Did You feel Implantation Cramps?
Where you feel this sensation will vary from woman to woman. For some, they are more centralized, similar to period cramps. On the other hand, others may feel cramps in a different place, like on one side or very low in the abdomen.
Is Implantation Painful?
Implantation is not painful exactly, but very early pregnancy can make you feel sick. While Cramping, some women say low energy, headaches, swollen breasts, and other symptoms related to it. While implantation may not be to blame, the cascade of hormonal change helps your body to launch a new one that can leave you feeling temporarily weak.
About Implantation Dip?
During pregnancy time, a woman’s body temperature rises to and goes up to 1 degree at conception, and it is remaining elevated throughout pregnancy. If it drops back down your temperature, that your period is on the way, implantation doesn’t occur, and also not pregnant.
Implantation is an important one, but easy to miss. It often masquerades as a period, causing discomfort to mild pain, swollen breasts and abdomen, and headaches. If any of these symptoms occur, and you wonder whether you are actually pregnant or not, take a home pregnancy test or see your practitioner for confirmation.
Is Implantation Cramping Accompanied by Implantation Bleeding?
No, Implantation cramping is not accompanied by Implantation Bleeding. Let’s unpack this: Implantation cramping and spotting occur by the blastocyst implants into the lining, causing some disturbance. Sometimes that means light cramping. Some other times that means a few blood cells loosen, causing implantation bleeding and sometimes neither, sometimes both.
When Do They Occur?
These mild to moderate cramps generally occur between one week to about two days before the expected date of your impending period and are quite mild and infrequent while they last. Since the cramping is infrequent, it may last a couple of seconds, a few minutes, an hour or so at a stretch before it stops and resumes. It may be gone for a day or so and can resume soon after.
Implantation cramping may be accompanied by mild spotting, which is entirely normal. You may notice spotting about 6-12 days after conception. In some women, this process of implantation and the associated implantation cramping may go completely undetected.
How Different Do Implantation Cramps Feel From Period Bleeding?
On the same note, there is a substantial difference between implantation and menstrual bleeding. During implantation, there is a slight tear in the uterine lining, and hence a little blood is shed. This blood may trickle down and stain brown or pink. The intensity also reduces in a couple of days.
Menstrual bleeding, on the other hand, is bright red in color, and the flow is intense. It also continues for a week. If you believe you are pregnant and the implantation cramping is severe with heavy blood flow, visit your doctor. It is quite possible that the bleeding is menstrual bleeding. But there is also a chance that the pregnancy is prematurely and naturally terminated, and that you are suffering a miscarriage.
How Long Do Implantation Cramps Last?
How long do implantation cramps last in women. The process of implantation lasts about 2 days, while implantation itself takes only about 2 hours. The fertilized egg or embryo is only about 2 millimeters in size, and while it pricks the uterine wall to lodge itself there, most women do not feel any pain during that very instant.
However, the entire process, on the whole, could be painful. Thus, implantation cramps do not last longer than the implantation process, and hence, they stop in a couple of days.
Are There Any Symptoms That Accompany Implantation Cramping?
Some women experience implantation back pain, which feels the same as the back pain you experience during ovulation or periods. The cervical mucus also undergoes changes after implantation. Some women also feel implantation pain on one side of their abdomen. That could be the side on which the embryo is embedding itself into the uterus. Again, all of these aches and pains feel quite similar to pains associated with your regular menstrual cycle.
Other symptoms that you may feel in addition to implantation cramps are fatigue, frequent urination, mood swings, sometimes nausea, and a heightened sense of smell. Some women could experience some light-headedness and breast sensitivity. All of the above symptoms, if observed during the time of your ovulation and after it, you may well be pregnant, and fortunate to have experienced its signs this early.
Is Implantation Cramping A Confirmed Sign Of Pregnancy?
Not necessarily. While implantation indicated the grafting of the fertilized egg into the uterine wall, it is not a sufficient sign of pregnancy. A home pregnancy test, repeated twice, on different days either close to or after the expected date of your menstrual periods, delivers better results – in fact, on most occasions, confirmed results. A missed period is one of the best and most definitive indications of pregnancy.
To experience the magical moments of your baby forming inside you is certainly a blessing. However, fussing or obsessing over it, and being disappointed at having missed these signs is unnecessary. Enjoy it if you are lucky enough to experience it; however, do not be disappointed at having missed it.
How long do implantation cramps last as shown in detail above?
Have a happy and safe pregnancy!
