A healthy baby will move, roll, stretch and kick often. There are patterns of sleep and activity that you can monitor using kick counts.

Some babies are active during day hours just like their mom. Others are night guards to keep momma awake and go star gazing. Whatever is the pattern you must keep a track of kick counts.

Your doula or gynecologist will tell you how to judge when labor will start using fetal kick counts. There have many reports where mothers who had stillbirths experienced a downfall in kick count.

A gradual reduction in fetal movement can be because of intrauterine growth restriction. About half of the women whose fetuses died inside uterus did admit experiencing less fetal movement.

However, even in case of a healthy pregnancy, the fetal movements reduce in the third trimester.

An increase in the size of fetus leaves less space for movement. Mothers can feel this fall in kick counts at 39 weeks.

When to start counting kicks?

You can feel baby kicking after the 18thbweek of pregnancy. A pregnancy kick counter monitors the baby’s movements. When you are 24 weeks pregnant you can monitor baby kicking using a monitor. You feel begin feeling baby’s kicks during the period between 18-20 week.

A first-time mother will feel the movements at 25 weeks. Second or third-time pregnancy has a shorter labor. You will feel the baby movements earlier.

If you are pregnant for the second time then expect to feel the pregnancy movements earlier. Once you feel the first kick of baby gets ready to feel a lot of it hereafter.

Sometimes the kick can send a lightning pain through the womb. Tumbling, rolling and stretching is most commonly felt baby movements. Your baby is enjoying his or her stay inside the safest place on earth!

How do baby’s kicks feel?

As a first time mother, you will wonder what baby movements feel like. Even when you get pregnant for the second or third time you may feel differently. Being pregnant with twins have a different pattern of movement.

Before 12th week you hardly feel anything. After the 18th week, you will feel some pattern in baby’s motion. The popular term quickening refers to the swift movements your baby does. Later after crossing the 24th week, you will start feeling a proper kick and counting will get easier.

How to do a kick count?

Kick counting is not difficult but requires patience and time. You will have to patiently keep counting kicks for two hours. A kick is not necessarily the football thrust but can be a swish or rolling movement.

Do not include the slightest fluttering because that can be your own bowel movements. The best time for baby kick count is after one or two hours from a meal. You can judge the right time by paying attention to when your baby is most active.

Kick counts include a set of ten movements felt within two hours. The first four movements are important. Most women feel these four movements within the first hour.

If there is a delay in the time of the first four movements for consecutive days something is wrong. Similarly, if you don’t feel the four movements within an hour you must tell your doctor.

Steps for pregnancy kick counts

1. Have a snack or meal that makes you feel comfortable and gets your baby excited
2. Lie down in a comfortable position or sit with your hands on your belly
3. You can talk to your baby and do caressing touches to bond with your child. If your baby is not awake raise your legs and have a very cold drink. The drop in temperature will make the baby squish away and wake up. Don’t be too sudden in waking up your little one.
4. Maintain a record where you write the daily kick count
5. Start the process and note the time
6. You have to feel about 10 movements whatever be the type in 2 hours or less
7. When you feel a movement put a cross or tick so that you don’t forget the count
8. Keep adding the symbols upon every movement
9. After one hour passes put a slash or separator to mark the time lapse
10. Finally when you feel all ten movements note the time of the last one

An example of a kick count chart is

9:00 PM ++++++++++9:56 PM

9:15 PM +++++++|+++10:15 PM

8:00 PM +++++++|++ 10:00 PM

9:00 PM ++++++++++ 9:45 PM

9:00 PM +++++++++++9:59 PM

8:05 PM ++|+|+10:05 PM – not normal

You must repeat after two hours and let your doctor know if you still do not get a satisfactory number of movements.

There can be deviations more than you expect every day. But you have to look for huge difference such as having only 3 movements in more than an hour.

You can bring some common parameter in the kick counts by starting at the exact time every day. Delay by a minute or two won’t be of much significance.

What is the best time for counting baby kicking?

When you first feel some movements you will not be able to make out the counts. It will take some time to accustom to the movements. Over time you will be able to understand the difference between gut movements and baby moving. With effort, you will also understand when the baby is awake and when sleepy.

Different movements like swirling, rolling or moving hands feel nearly the same. The best time to count kicks when pregnant is after having a meal. When your body gets nutrients the baby too takes them.

There is no rule that all babies will be awake at night or morning. That is an individual trait of every fetus. But you must count baby kicking at the same time every day to bring uniformity.

Which is the best position for kick counts?

A baby movement monitor can count the kicks in any position. But when you do it yourself lie down on your left side. The 18 weeks pregnant movements are not very stark. Kick counts is a must for high-risk pregnancies. The fetal health screening by counting kicks is something you can do every day with minimum effort. Active babies won’t demand your effort to attentively feel the movements. The baby movements will be rapid enough that you can feel them while reading a book. Lying down allows the abdomen area to feel free and expand. As you won’t feel the weight fetal kick counts will be easier to do.

Lying down on left side improves circulation. The baby movements get stronger when you eat something sweet because of rising in sugar. And so do the movements become random when your sugar levels fall late night. The midnight snacking has a scientific reason!

Why should you kick count?

Before anything else, daily kick count helps to assess your baby’s health. Along with that it also allows you to bond with your baby. And having your partner to count baby kicks will give him the real feel of becoming a father. Counting kicks after 28 weeks is going to benefit a lot. When you are 39-weeks or 40-weeks pregnant feeling no movement is a signal to head for labor.

What do when there is decreased fetal movement?

When you don’t feel 10 movements within 2 hours then you have to repeat the steps. If you continue to have a low number of movements, immediately inform your doctor. Even too many movements can be a sign that something is not right. It is common to feel less movement during the end of pregnancy. The baby grows up and cannot kick properly. They generally snuggle during their last days of sleep inside their world. But if you feel no movement at all you must inform your doula.

What can you do to make your baby kick?

The same things like making sounds or drinking a very cold drink can make the baby move. You can also indulge in a dessert as the rising sugar levels will get your baby active. Tips for kick counts are about tuning your baby’s movements. With practice, you can habituate your baby to move and become active by a particular activity you do. A specific kind of music or posture or even an exercise can make the baby kick and move.

The post Kick Counts appeared first on Pregnancy.

Causes of low levels of progesterone serve as signs of disorders. Whenever a woman complains of a gynecological problem, her estrogen-progesterone assay is the first step.

Other than reproductive role progesterone also affects the thyroid, blood sugar, and inflammatory response. Surprisingly progesterone prescription is for both those who want or avoid pregnancy.

With having a diverse role in almost every function and age group, it’s not surprising that low levels of progesterone need treatment. You cannot see that progesterone is reducing below the basal level in your blood. What are the symptoms of Progesterone deficiency? Following sections discuss each of the causes, symptoms, and treatment for low levels of Progesterone.

What does progesterone do?

Progesterone is the hormone that favors gestation by preparing the uterus. Secondary sexual characters in women are because of progesterone. Breasts development also begins when the body starts cyclically producing progesterone – puberty.

Progesterone and Ovulation

During the early stage of the menstrual cycle, progesterone doesn’t pick up much. Even on ovulation day, it is estrogen and LH that are on the higher side. After ovulation progesterone prepares the uterus lining and prevents period. Soon the cyst collapses completely, and progesterone drops. PMS and period pain is because of a change in levels of progesterone.

Progesterone And Pregnancy

Pregnancy depends on the increasing level of progesterone that maintains the lining from coming off ‘periods’. Cervical mucus starts thickening by the time because ovulation long got over. The hCG hormone rises later when the placenta formation occurs. Its progesterone that keeps scaling up until then.

Progesterone Contraception

Contraceptive pills have a combination of progestin and estradiol. A progestogen is a synthetic form of natural progesterone body synthesizes. Minipill with an only progestin has fewer side effects and can even stop ovulation.

Progesterone Effects on Menopause

Menopausal women take progesterone for reducing the symptoms. Progesterone balances the adverse effects of changes in the body due to the cessation of the menstrual cycle.

Progesterone Effects

At the stage when your body has enough progesterone, you can notice a glow on the skin. Feminine sex hormone takes care of all reproductive functions after ovulation. You will feel happier about your body. The wet feeling near cervix will gradually leave as the mucus becomes thicker and reduces in amount. Progesterone doesn’t enhance sexual activity. Serotonin levels increase, and calmness replaces anxiety and stress. You will feel sleepy due to the relaxation and its all an adaptation for storing energy for pregnancy or coming period.

Uses of Progesterone Shots, Creams, and Pills

Invariably doctors recommend progesterone pills for contraception. Minipills only progestin cab suppresses ovulation and change cervical mucus preventing contraception.

Mixing oil with progesterone for intramuscular injections is quick treatment. Low levels of progesterone on pregnancy can cause miscarriage.

Prescription of progesterone cream is for infections and treatment of the irregular period. Some women have a short menstrual cycle and get frequent menstrual periods. Low levels of progesterone can also potentially cause a short luteal phase. More menstrual cycles per year tax the body and also increases the risk of precocious menopause. Progesterone can help them lengthen the luteal period.

Symptoms of Low level Of Progesterone

If the progesterone levels are low, then all the changes that occur under the influence of progesterone secretion either don’t happen or are erratic. You can predict them after knowing the functions of progesterone. Luteal phase shortens, severe PMS, irregular menstrual period, and infertility issues arise.

Signs of a low level of progesterone in non-pregnant women

1. Loss of tuning in the menstrual cycle

Progesterone is the primary hormone in the second half of the period. Estrogen-progesterone balance serves as a marker for the brain to release reproductive hormones. When progesterone is low, the lining doesn’t form and keeps coming off in bits. Irregular periods make timing ovulation extremely difficult.

2. Short luteal phase

There are two types of menstrual cycles short and long other than regular. Whether the cycle is short depends on the length of the second half. Most women ovulate near the 14th day, but luteal phase length varies. Lack of Progesterone causes a short menstrual cycle as well as hasten cessation of the reproductive phase. Women whose ovaries get overworked have experience earlier perimenopause.

3. Random spotting or Premenstrual spotting

When progesterone drops before the actual due date, women have premenstrual spotting. Most women who are TTC  assume it to be implantation bleeding. Others feel that they’re getting an early period. However, neither of them is right, and the condition requires treatment.

4. Deficient thickness of the uterine lining

A short luteal phase doesn’t permit the proliferation of uterine lining. Declining levels of progesterone cause random spotting. Further reducing the lining, light spotting occurs throughout the month. Over some time the patient will have amenorrhea. The term is for the condition when the woman stops getting period.

5. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

PMSing has a lot of memes and exaggerated stuff over media. The stark reality is that some women experience anxiety, fear, and depression before the onset of the period. The idea of getting their period is so strenuous to the body that the balance starts shaking. The term for the mental and physical aggravation of PMS is a disorder. PDD is a real phenomenon and needs both psychiatric and gynecological treatment.

6. Estrogen Dominance

Progesterone deficiency leads to overpowering effects of estrogen. Weight gain, heavy bleeding, decreased libido, fibroids and endometriosis are side effects of high estrogen. Breast maturation is mainly under progesterone. Estrogen excess causes tenderness in the breast. Sagging and pain are signs of fibrocystic breasts.

7. Headache, migraine, and depression

Progesterone also affects the secretion of serotonin in the blood. Headache and migraine incidences increase in women with a low level of progesterone. Depression is directly related to serotonin levels. The fall in the pregnancy hormone also brings depression associated with the menstrual irregularities.

Low Progesterone Early Pregnancy Symptoms

1. Difficult to get pregnant

Progesterone is the pregnancy hormone. Without enough of it, getting pregnant can become a daunting task. The lining has to thicken more than non-pregnant women. It keeps enriching itself with more blood supply. Lack of progesterone forces the lining to stop proliferation and start disintegrating. Getting pregnant is difficult as the menstrual cycle goes off track. Detection of ovulation is not easy and women who TTC and have low levels of progesterone, fall into a whirlwind of doubts.

2. Pregnancy Loss

Even if pregnancy and implantation occur, it terminates. Fertility depends a lot on the rise in progesterone. If the hormone suddenly falls the lining disintegrates and aborts the embryo. Doctors give supplements of progesterone patches, cremes, and shots to such pregnant women. Until the risk of miscarriage reduces to normal level women take artificial progesterone.

3. Abnormal implantation such as ectopic pregnancy

At times the lack of progesterone leads to implantation at the wrong site. Eventually, this too leads to spontaneous loss of pregnancy. Other than that it poses a risk of bursting tubes requiring organ removal.

What Causes Low Progesterone?

1. Xenoestrogens

High estrogen can be the primary cause rather than a consequence of progesterone deficiency. There are other chemicals in your food, products and the environment. Avoiding them is possible, but often you don’t even realise that you’re taking them. Estrogen and progesterone affect each other’s blood serum levels. Thus the presence of artificial estrogen sends feedback to the brain that progesterone needs to halt.

2. Insulin resistance

The condition doesn’t let cells utilise the blood sugar. Progesterone too has similar ways to enter the cell and insulin resistance affects it equally. Other metabolic difficulties arise, and there is a loss of hormonal tuning.

3. Physical activity level at extremes

Athletes or people with excessive sedentary lifestyle affects the production of progesterone. It’s essential to have a healthy physical workout routine. When the body is active brain functions at an optimum pace. The hormones that control progesterone comes from the brain. Extreme physical activity shifts the focus of the body to the locomotive organs.

4. Nutritional deficiency

Zinc and Vitamin B6 are superfoods for women suffering from low levels of progesterone. After all, hormones are chemicals that form using essential biomolecules. Cholesterol is also an essential component of progesterone. Dieting or eating disorders also have low progesterone symptoms.

5. Stress

Mental stress is the biggest enemy of the menstrual cycle. Stress hormones affect sex hormones and health. Make sure you check your stress levels and mitigate the cause.

Normal Progesterone Levels

Progesterone levels vary during the menstrual cycle. There is no single normal value of progesterone level in a non-pregnant female. In the proliferative phase or before ovulation progesterone in blood test falls in the normal range of 0.2-1 ng/mL. Luteal phase progesterone is highest in non-pregnant women going up to 5 ng/mL.

The progesterone test is scheduled a week before the menstrual period date. That’s because the progesterone level doesn’t dip suddenly and is a gradual process. The peak of progesterone is a few days before the due date. Chance of false results is less when the levels are higher. Also, progesterone has to be in sufficient quantity in the luteal phase. Usually, after menopause, progesterone levels come down in a woman.

Pregnant mothers will have 40 times higher progesterone than usual. The levels can reach up to 200 ng/mL of blood serum.

Tests that Confirm Low Progesterone

A routine blood test performed on a woman suspect of a low level of progesterone detects the blood levels of it. The name of the test is the progesterone test abbreviated PGSN.

Ideally, your progesterone should be above 1 ng/mL through most of the month. Men and kids also have progesterone but lower than women. When you time the test right before a week from the correct period due date, your tests will give the exact picture.

During pregnancy higher levels of progesterone hint at having twins. But since even singleton can raise the levels, a progesterone test isn’t used for the detection of pregnancy.

Low Progesterone Treatments and Remedies

Natural ways of treating progesterone insufficiency include exercising, taking supplements and cutting down stress. Supplements for increasing progesterone levels contain Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and zinc. Often the three take long to cure the condition. One cannot afford to wait for the results in a situation such as pregnancy or PPD.

There are quick ways to treat low progesterone levels using hormonal therapy. You can take topical cremes or patches to place near the vagina. Suppositories are put inside and have a quicker action.

Prescription of Depo-Provera is also effective. One shot is given at intervals of 3 months. Oral contraceptive pills containing only progesterone are also one of the options.

Hormonal therapies have their set of side effects. Overdose poses a risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer of the reproductive tract. Other common side effects include acne and weight gain.

Can You Naturally Increase Progesterone Levels? 

Many women near menopause or not being able to conceive are recommended progesterone creams and pills. Menopausal women have to take both estrogen and progesterone in combination. While you may be doubtful about taking progesterone pills there are many natural remedies to try.

Increasing the intake of magnesium and zinc rich foods can help you regain your progesterone levels. The condition of estrogen dominance for long is harmful and causes obesity, heavy menses, irregular periods, low libido and premenstrual traumatic stress disorder.

Here are 10 things you must try to naturally increase your progesterone levels back to normal:

Lifestyle Changes For Low Progesterone

1. Reduce body fat and maintain a healthy body

Maintaining your weight has more to do than simply make you look good. Progesterone has the functions of using body fat and helping regulate fat metabolism. When the levels are low it gets burdened or vice versa when too much of fat burden it and decreases the levels overusing it.

The conclusion is weight and Progesterone levels in your body are in balance. Relaxing exercises like yoga, pilates, and swimming will calm your body and help maintain your weight. 

2. Cut drinking

Alcohol is known to increase estrogen levels. The action of alcohol on the brain numbs it towards the natural balance of hormones in the body. Thus progesterone levels are lowered and estrogen rises up several folds. You must try to quit drinking totally in your reproductive switch age periods such as menopause and pregnancy. Alcohol during pregnancy is harmful to the fetus too.

3. Rethink your contraception choice

Contraceptives are nothing but artificial hormones that alter the body’s receptivity towards sperms and pregnancy. Barrier methods such as condoms and valves are best in every aspect. They do not interfere with natural hormonal balance and are more effective. Condoms are most effective after sterilisation in preventing pregnancy. Shots and implants are the most tricky forms of contraceptives that have side effects leading to hormonal imbalance.

Dietary Changes for Low Progesterone

4. Eat a magnesium rich diet

Magnesium has a massive role in regulating the production and circulation of progesterone. It affects brain glands and other menstrual cycle processes like ovulation. The daily requirement of magnesium for an adult is 320 mg per day. Taking in less than that can cause deficiencies symptoms of reduced progesterone levels. Foods that are rich in magnesium include legumes, Tofu, spinach, quinoa, almonds, avocado and dark chocolate.

Food Magnesium obtained

Dark chocolate – 64mg per 1oz serving

Tofu – 53mg per 3-4 ounce

Lentils – 120 mg per 1 serving

5. Include vitamin B6 supplements

The daily  requirement of vitamin B 6 is 1.3-1.5 mg for women above 19 years of age. Vitamin B 6 is known for its uses in PMS, postpartum recovery and menopause and contraception side effects. All of these uses point to its ability to boost the progesterone levels. Taking in 200 mg or more of vitamin B 6 rich food can boost progesterone and suppress estrogen.

Foods that are rich in vitamin B 6 include cereals, liver, meat, banana leaves, poultry, and fish. For a vegan lifestyle, these may not sound interesting and so you’ve carrots. Take them as snack, soup or salads.

6. Stop using plastic containers

Endless studies and warnings have been published and yet people fail to grasp the hazards of plastic products. To the extent now people don’t hesitate using any random plastic case for heating their food in microwave appliances. Plastic packaging interferes with the food contents and robs them of their nutritive value. That’s the crudest and basic explanation of the danger posed by plastic containers.

Remove all plastic food containers from your fridge and kitchen. Plastics also are a big source of xenoestrogens – artificial estrogen, that exert a pseudo estrogen dominance on progesterone.

7. Cut sugar, and processed food products

Processed food for the same reason of xenoestrogens is a habit you must quit earliest. The byproducts of packaged food with preservatives and hormones are xenoestrogens. Not only that, but the enormous amount of free radicals generated also harms the body’s defence system. Processed meat and ready to eat food products have a large number of sugars added. These can knock out your insulin activity and pose threats of other metabolic disorders.

8. Take in the right amount of zinc

Zinc in your blood is essential for progesterone. The reason why zinc levels drop soon is that it cannot be stored for long in the body. Your daily requirement is just 8 mg per day. But this amount of zinc is crucial for all hormones. It is an important cofactor for many enzymes in your body with different functions. Foods that are rich in zinc include ricotta cheese, lamb, cocoa, mushroom, kefir, seeds, and shellfish. You can select any of these for a day or based on your dietary preferences. Most people take a combination of iron, magnesium and zinc supplements.

9. Start taking herbal tea

Caffeine has adverse effects on fertility and is known for increasing estrogen levels. Switching to herbal tea not only alleviates side effects of caffeine but has other mind boosting effects. Along with caffeine your favorite Starbucks or some other café takeaway coffee has lots of sugar as lactose and other additives. Herbal tea of chasteberry has many other benefits along with enhancing natural progesterone.

10. Omega 3 fatty acids

These fats are your skin’s, immune system’s, reproductive organ’s best friends. Salmons are loaded with omega fatty acids. And if you’re looking for a vegan food rich in omega fatty acids then evening primrose oil is an alternative. Most reproductive hormones are steroids in compositions. Thus taking the right omega 3 fatty acids or omega 6 fatty acids helps to increase the levels of raw materials for their production. Other foods that are rich in omega fatty acids include flaxseed, margarine, canola oil, tofu, and eggs.

The post Low Progesterone: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment appeared first on Pregnancy.

The different vaginal discharges you while TTC can be so confusing and a whole new shade class you learn. Brown, dark red, orangish brown, pinkish and all colors of a period like discharges related to pregnancy have been dealt with in detail. Can dark red period blood be a sign you’re pregnant?

First of all, make sure that is it period or a discharge. Period blood is bright red and gets darker only when you change pads infrequently. At times your uterus whilst cleaning itself oozes out old brown blood.

While trying to figure out implantation bleeding symptoms the most recurring term is dark brown discharge. Whatever that is, it is not dark period blood. Trying to interpret what you came here to look for, by dark red period blood, seems like a flow. IB isn’t bleeding or heavy flow or any kind of flow to make it clear.

What does your period look like when you’re pregnant?

Whether you’re pregnant or not period is not going to change its color. Blood flowing through the cervix due to disintegrating uterine lining is period. It’s always going to be red lest you have an infection or it is not period.

At times you get watery brown clots in your period flow. That can be clumps of lining or old blood that coagulated.

Pregnancy and change in period color isn’t a strong sign to look for. Nor is the color of the period you get before you conceive dark red.

The only science-backed reason for getting dark red period near pregnancy is the iron you’ve been loading. TTC women eat healthily and are taking prenatal vitamins probably that makes the blood darker. Other than that there is no theory or phenomenon that says ‘lady dark red period! you pregnant’.

Dark Brown Bleeding on Due Period Date: Can I be pregnant?

If the dark brown bleeding is not heavy and doesn’t last longer than a day, you could be. Ideally, it should happen a little before your due period date but implantation can take longer. What you are actually experiencing is implantation bleeding.

Your egg fused with the sperm and now is s bunch of cells. As they descend and find a home in your uterus there is a small amount of bleeding. Attaching embryo (baby’s cells bunch) causes the lining to soften and bleed a bit.

Make sure that the flow isn’t heavy and that you don’t have excruciating pain like PMS. Implantation cramps and back pain are mild.

Here’s the catch about implantation bleeding. It is rare, only 1/3rd pregnant women have it. Any such sign such as leukorrhea, triphasic BBT, and brown spotting are not sure indicators of pregnancy. 

Taking a pregnancy test will be the best you can do after a week from a missed period.

In the next section we describe the different colors of period blood and what do they mean.

Period Blood Color Changes and What Do They Show?

We have tried to list out all possible period and pregnancy-related changes. If we missed out the one you want to read about, ask in our period forum.

1) Dark Red Period Blood

If you remember the last time you couldn’t change your pad or tampon the entire day you know it. Blood gets dark when it comes in contact with air. Fresh blood will be red but you’d see brown blood soaked in.

Your uterus cleans itself after the period ends so you have dark rusty brown spotting on the last day of the period. At times some blood may not come out and before the period starts you see brown mucus discharge.

Lochia or bleeding after giving birth also gets darker as days pass by. Implantation bleeding before you miss a period after conception is another brown discharge. Just in case you lost track these two are NOT PERIOD!

Dark red period hinting you will be pregnant? Maybe just the beetroot salad and pome you’ve been eating for past few weeks. More iron, more hemoglobin, gives blood a darker hue of red.

2) Bright Red Period

Nothing new, happens every month, right? Most of you will notice that the pain is more on the first day and flow heavier on second. The second day is when you feel the flow and it looks bright red.

Bright red period with clots after getting a positive test could be threatened miscarriage. If you’re having cramps that don’t die out soon and bright red bleeding consult your OB immediately. Threatened miscarriage can be saved in miracle cases.

Ovarian cysts torsion or pinching off can cause bright red period two weeks earlier. Getting a period after your period is over is a sign of serious condition. Polyps or fibroids can cause such random red bleeding between period.

Light red period blood could also be a nongynecological issue like anemia. Increase your intake of iron whether vegan sources like guavas and spinach or meat based.

3) Light Flow

A lighter period before due date not lasting long could be what you’re looking for. Getting pregnant requires your uterus to hold the lining. A period is nothing but the blood vessels and lining of the uterus for cushioning a possible baby.

Each month you have an ovum and you can get pregnant. You don’t conceive the egg and the cushion both flow out and make way for next.

Light brown mucus discharge at early pregnancy stage is because of implantation. Now the surging progesterone won’t let your uterine wall break.

Spotting during pregnancy can look like a light period. Some women don’t come to know they’re pregnant two months in. For them, all they’ll know is that this month their period was lighter.

4) Period blood with a bad odor

Vagina has a smell and blood flowing through will definitely create some odor locally.

A study in the Royal Society Journal showed that fertile women have a distinct smell. Ever noticed the hair flip you do when trying to get the attention of a man, that’s a way of releasing pheromones. Naturally, your vagina will also have a distinct smell.

Unless you’ve had a bad smelly vag even before or after a period there’s nothing to worry. Change your tampon or pad or wash off the menstrual cup. Don’t douche or spray any deodorant lest be itching like orangutans.

Your vagina becomes sensitive during these days and is constantly damp. Adding cosmetic products will only aggravate symptoms. Remove your vaginal hair once every month at least!

Once your period is over and your vagina still smells you could be having an infection. Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Chlamydia symptoms have vaginal odor, discharge, soreness etc.

5) Gray Period Blood

Which gray? Is it shifting to the black side or white? If the mucus looks grayish white it could be bacterial vaginosis. The last days of a period you see grayish discharge on the pad that’s near black color.

Black period blood in fewer amounts on the last day is nothing abnormal. That’s just uterus impurities. Don’t worry about it. Change your underwear and wash the area with warm water.

Some women reported seeing gray flow with clots when they had a miscarriage. Gray period while pregnant can be because of miscarriage. Let your doctor know if you see chunks or clots in the vaginal discharge during pregnancy.

6) Raspberry Pink Period

A pink period between two periods is ovulation spotting. Irregular periods can also be pinkish red. Light flow when not brown can be pink. It implies you have active bleeding but in very low amount. Implantation bleeding is at times pinkish. Not to worry about it.

Estrogen¹ levels falling down also cause pink spotting. And that is not a good thing for your bones. Low estrogen can also affect your sexual life and cause osteoporosis. Getting a diagnosis and prescription is mandatory now.

Workout or diets can cause light spotting. Skipping your period using birth control pills can cause such erratic pink bleeding in between. Make sure you consult your doctor about any such lifestyle changes that affect your reproductive health.

7) Black Period Blood

Black period blood all the time is not normal unless it is just heavy bleeding. Some women who have heavy bleeding might see their pads get black. That’s actually brown which looks black. Having it as a norm is not a normal thing!

At times your uterus may have a stuck object like a tampon or contraceptive device which causes black bleeding. Inflammatory diseases can also be the reason for the black period.

Pregnant and black period can be a missed miscarriage or retained menses. At times your uterus doesn’t expel out a dead embryo or period blood. It gets oxidized (reacts with the component of air) and turns black.

8) Heavy Period flow with Clots

Bright red or grey whenever there are clots in your bleeding in pregnancy consult a doctor. Clots mean some tissue is coming off and breaking. It’d be best to ask your OB exactly what is happening inside you. Getting a transvaginal ultrasound will reassure you or highlight the problem.

Heavy menstrual bleeding or Menorrhagia² is a serious health condition where the bleeding goes on for more than seven days. Drug therapy or surgical steps such as dilation curate the syndrome.

A heavy period can cause traumatic stress disorder and it is a very difficult time for the woman going through. If you’re reading this to help someone out make sure you understand the intensity of the condition.

9) Early or Later Period

Getting an early period not only cancels your plans but also points out hormonal irregularities. What does that mean for pregnancy? Early period one week before due date can be implantation bleeding.

Women go crazy when it comes to finding out if they are pregnant. Implantation bleeding hype is the result of it.

Late period in pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean that your positive test was false. Some women do get their periods in pregnancy. For the first three months, it’s fine to keep getting your period in pregnancy.

10) Period While Pregnant

That brings us here to the last one, a period in pregnancy. You can have a light period in pregnancy if your progesterone levels are low. The wall of uterus sheds some blood and then holds back up. Some women who continue to have normal cyclical periods in pregnancy could also be ovulating.

Sex during pregnancy while ovulating can cause a second pregnancy. If you have periods check with your doctor about your ovulation. An ultrasound will reveal whether you’re ovulating too. Again a rare possibility!

The post Dark Red Period Blood: Could I Be Pregnant? appeared first on Pregnancy.

Does that mean implantation bleeding with twins will be twice as much? Does that mean implantation bleeding with twins will occur twice?

Spotting is frequent, but there is no quantification of it. More than a twin pregnancy, factors such as maternal weight, age, and risks of pregnancy affect spotting more.

Miscarriages are more common in twin pregnancies. Fertility therapies ART often lead to having multiples. Twin Research Human Genetics, Cambridge University Press, in 2007 gave clear evidence that there is no difference in placentas of ART and natural pregnancy. ¹

In cases of first-trimester twin miscarriage, women experience active bleeding. Implantation bleeding with twins red clots does not come under spotting.

Does Having Twins mean implantation bleeding Will Occur twice?

Implantation bleeding twice for twins can be either in amount or occurrence. Research studies mention that implantation bleeding occurs more when you’re pregnant with twins. There is no evidence that implantation bleeding occurs twice with twins.

The reason behind the spotting after a week from conception is the attachment of the egg. As the egg moves in the upper layers of the uterine lining, it causes bleeding.

Implantation spotting with twins occurs twice when the cleavage takes place before attachment. Either cleavage before implantation or fertilization of two eggs can do that.

Other than that you know both babies are going to develop simultaneously and come out together. Whether the same amnion as monochorionic monoamniotic or monochorionic diamniotic, the due date is the same.

Some monochorionic twins share the same placenta. They come from the same egg and implant together. Implantation Bleeding takes time to trickle down your uterus and in the vagina. It becomes brown even if you have twins.

Active bleeding is never implantation bleeding. What can a small needle prick do? That’s precisely what implantation of twins does.

Do twins take longer to implant?

As newbies to pregnancy, we need to understand the way twins form. It’s not double the effort of a singleton pregnancy or baking two cakes. It’s just splitting the cake either at the dry mix, batter, or during baking. If twins take longer for any step in pregnancy, either of them would be improperly developed at the time of birth.

Twins don’t take longer to implant but cause more spotting.

Don’t presume it to be a hint for implantation bleeding twins heavier. Even frequent spotting doesn’t get heavy or have clots. Instead, the reason for frequent spotting is the difficulty during stabilizing the hormones. Many women lose their twin and have heavy bleeding due to miscarriage. Mothers in the age group under 17 are more prone to twin miscarriage. 

Implantation blood in twins does not show or look any different. If you have triplets even then implantation will be the same.

Symptoms of Implantation bleeding with twins

Before going to the signs of early pregnancy with twins, remember that only 1/3rd of women have implantation spotting. Pregnant women often disregard it as spotting or never have it. You can imagine the possibility of identifying the symptoms of implantation bleeding multiples now.

Theoretical knowledge hints that implantation cramps twins last longer. Why? Just because two babies are developing. An insignificant difference in size compared to singleton develops localized cramps.

Early stages of pregnancy lead to cramps from gas, accommodation changes, and uterine reshaping. Along with it during implantation the egg cause twitching sensations.

We get a lot of women asking us about having heavy or bright red implantation bleeding with twins. No, no, no! Twins, triplets, or even quadruplets will not lead to bright red bleeding or spots.

Signs that you have twins at the time of implantation:

1. Early onset of morning sickness: Toxicosis from the change in hormones after implantation causes morning sickness. The Early-onset of nausea and vomiting can be because your hormones are skyrocketing. Twin pregnancy has a genetic predisposition. Women from a family where twins are common, tend to have severe morning sickness. Exceptions always exist!
2. Sharp twitching on one side of the abdomen: Amongst all the different kinds of movements, twin mums can feel IB cramps easily. Often implantation is such an early stage that mainly TTC women observe it. For others, it’s a way past even whether the pregnancy is a surprise or shock. Twin development always gives an upper value in results. Not that they are out of the normal range.
3. Big fat positive PT: If you didn’t have a difficult time with pregnancy test kits then you could be having twins. Big fat positive is nothing but enough hCG to highlight the test line. Superfetation though a rare thing is getting pregnant while you’re already pregnant. Identical twins are not a case of superfetation. Even if they have a separate placenta, they’ll grow parallel. Pamela Prindle Fierro, in her post on fraternal twins, writes about getting pregnant twins while pregnant. It can be superfetation when they share their father or superfecundation if the father is different. Twins with separate placenta produce more hCG. In that case, you will have more implantation bleeding too.
4. Aggravated ovulation symptoms previously: Twins are common when you get hyperovulation drugs. Fertility therapies involve such drugs. Multiple eggs release after shots. And if you’ve more than one sex partner, then you can have twins with different dads. Before their implantation, the symptoms of ovulation will be prominent.
5. Frequent urge to pee: Implantation bleeding and twins bring us to another crisis of early pregnancy – peeing. Your bladder has an extended hangover. Bathroom visits will not let you do anything for long. In the later stages, it will get worse, unlike singleton where it subsides.

Learn more about twin pregnancy symptoms, here. 

Do you have more implantation bleeding with twins?

Implantation bleeding more common with twins is just a mathematical presumption. Just because you have twins at least one of them would cause bleeding is a false belief. Probability does support the thought, but it’s not what we get to see.

Implantation bleeding with clots twins leads to dreaded visits to the hospital. Miscarriage or vanishing twin are the two outcomes in that case. Whenever during pregnancy you’ve unusual excess bleeding inform your doctor.

Bleeding with clots if you see them after peeing implies somewhere inside there is active blood flowing. That’s not what should happen unless you’re aborting or having the period.

Here are some other cases:

1. Longer implantation bleeding with twins

Once the duration of IB with twins crosses two days, then it’s no longer implantation spotting. The size of the twins at an early stage like implantation is as big as 2 dots. What difference could that tiny babies make?

2. Early Implantation bleeding with twins

In the case of identical twins, it is possible that they cleave and implant. A single baby can also give the symptoms of implantation like in the case of a twin pregnancy. The major differences between the two kinds of pregnancy begin a few weeks later.

One twin can cause IB before the other twin. In the case of superfetation and twins, it’s likely that you have IB twice. It’s equally possible that one causes spotting and the other baby doesn’t.

3. Heavy Implantation bleeding twins

Most pregnancies suffer early implantation failures that cause spontaneous abortion. Heavy blood flow near due implantation date occurs when either both or one twin has a risk of survival.

No implantation bleeding with twins

About 2/3rd pregnant women who don’t have implantation bleeding include mothers with twins too. After undergoing IUI or IVF, you may have irritation in the vagina or spotting. There are slight differences between calculating the dates of pregnancy stages when you get frozen eggs.

In that case, not having implantation bleeding doesn’t mean anything is wrong.

Many women are not able to recall and relate when did they have implantation bleeding. With twins, things can go fast. You might be struggling with your morning sickness and never know that you had implantation spotting.

If you don’t see implantation spots don’t worry about your pregnancy. The absence of implantation bleeding doesn’t tell anything about the health or progress of the baby.

Implantation bleeding experience with twins

We asked a few mom readers to share their implantation bleeding with twins stories. You’ll be surprised to read them.

“What is implantation bleeding? That would be my first question had I not heard about it from my friend. I have two twin girls from IVF, and all I can recall is morning sickness. I had a winter pregnancy, and I delivered healthy twins in summer.” – Suzzy, 32

“Now that I’m at menopause recollecting any thought from that time is tough. All I can recall is that I had frequent spotting and higher intensity of symptoms.” – Ariana, 48

“One can feel when they have twins from the beginning. That’s because of all the suffering your friends told you are halfway through your battle. Implantation was unknown to me. And either way implantation bleeding doesn’t help you detect pregnancy. You anyway have to wait until the beta hCG test.” – Julie, 27

“I vividly remember that I had a difficult time calling my doctor and friends and mum asking about bleeding during pregnancy. There was a red stain after wiping with a tissue. I used a tampon during implantation. Worst mistake I could make at that time. I had a sore vagina during implantation week. Though I can’t recall if I had IB twice when I was pregnant with my twins I’d say there is no big difference” – Eli, 24

The post Implantation Bleeding With Twins [How long does IB last with twins?] appeared first on Pregnancy.

Cramps happen due to so many reasons. They can happen in any part of the body. But right now the reference is to abdominal pain. Cramps are involuntary muscle shortening. You might have those painful night-time leg pain or ovulation cramping. But the worst is the case of menstrual cramping. Menstrual pain is involuntary, and they come in waves and are spasmodic. Implantation cramps are mild and short-term.

The case of menstrual cramping is easy to handle in today’s time because of OTC painkillers. Muscle relaxant and analgesics are available to treat the menstrual cramping. But during implantation, such painkillers can affect the success of the conception.

Whenever you experience such pain, it is essential to know if those are implantation cramps or PMS cramps to avoid any mishap. Not only is it a symptom but also a warning for taking precautions during implantation.

What is implantation cramping?

During implantation, the embryo invades the lining of the uterus. It creates a space for itself. Implantation begins from the first week and lasts up to 20th week of gestation. It is for the nourishment of the growing embryo.

After 20th week the embryo has a fully developed placenta, and it gets all nourishment through it. The placenta also acts a medium for removal of waste and barrier to harmful substances.

How do PMS cramps feel?

Premenstrual pain is mild and gradually increase in intensity. When there is a pain in the abdomen near your period date you know that period is about to happen.

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) gets its name due to the set of things happening to you at the same time.

Mood swings, nausea, bloating and PMS cramps are all signs that your period is near. PMS cramping is similar to implantation cramping at early stages. Later on, PMS cramps become painful and hurt a lot.

Implantation cramps gradually stop feeling and you are at ease. Implantation cramping pain is even milder than PMS cramps. They are like tingling sensations pulling down something in your stomach. It’s actually the sinking in of the embryo towards the back wall of the uterus.

What does menstrual cramping feel?

Menstrual cramping is very painful and goes on increasing. It is a pulsating pain, and as soon it feels like it’s over it becomes even more painful.

Spasmodic throbbing and pinching pain is a symptom of menstrual pain. You feel like the uterus is trying to wring like a cloth soaked in water.

There are different explanations and comparisons about menstrual cramping. But the common conclusion is that they are extremely painful.

You can take muscle relaxant or analgesics during menses. Most women have to pop a pill every month to be able to withstand the pain.

Pain during menstruation is not like implantation pain that happens momentarily. They continue for the first two days and return by the end of the period. At the end of the period, you again have a session of cramping. It feels like the after surgery stitches or something as the post-trauma effects.

They subside or may continue after the period for a day. After that, if the pain continues, then it may be because of cysts.

If a woman had PCOS, then she might have Dysmenorrhoea pr painful menstruation. The cysts cause more discomfort as blood from the endometrial lining trickles down them.

How does implantation cramping feel?

Implantation cramps are something in between of PMS cramps and menstrual cramping. You don’t feel any impending event coming when you have implantation cramping. And the pain is nothing compared to menstrual cramps.

You will just feel that something tiny is pulling or drilling in your stomach. It will be a tingling sensation that will go away with time.

Most women never feel implantation pain because it is so mild. You might feel like you have bloating or flatulence. But gas distress pain is worse than implantation cramping sometimes.

Women have a higher tolerance for abdominal pain, and so most don’t realize implantation. If there was a way to recognize that you have implantation then may be pregnancy tests wouldn’t be such a mess.

Implantation pain can be heavier in case of abnormalities such as tubal pregnancy. In that case, implantation occurs in tubes and the narrow pathways expand. It causes pain that gets worse with time. You need to see your doctor for getting treatment as soon as possible. The later is the stage of tubal pregnancy more severe is the damage.

Implantation cramps or PMS cramps?

Few signs can help distinguish implantation cramps or PMS cramps. You can sit with a pen and paper and consider them to understand what was the bloody discharge you had.

1) Timing of cramping

Implantation pain happens near ovulation date and lasts for at most a day. PMS cramps are after two weeks from ovulation and a few days earlier than the period. Implantation cramping cannot happen after the period as the egg already passes out with the menstrual blood. Implantation occurs after 7-12 days from ovulation. PMS and implantation cramping both occur before period but differ in their proximity to the day of starting.

2) Intensity of pain

Implantation pain under normal circumstances doesn’t get severe. They will be mild until they subside entirely. PMS contractions gradually increase in intensity and eventually your menses start. During menstruation, the cramps intensify, and the pain is unbearable. Implantation cramps rarely go to touch the threshold level of the least tolerant women.

3) Frequency of cramps

The number of times you feel your stomach twisting and turning is negligible in case of implantation. During PMS the frequency or the rate of cramping increases as menses come closer. Implantation pain might not even keep occurring all the while. You will some tugging early and randomly after a while. PMS cramps are more repetitive, and the intervals get shorter. Gas distress also feels less painful sometimes and then it again pains.

4) Duration of cramping

Implantation cramps occur for a shorter duration even less than spotting. PMS spasms continue for a week throughout a period. Some women will have implantation cramping only for a few minutes or hours.

5) Kind of pain

Implantation cramps are like tingling knotting and pulling. PMS twinge are spasmodic and randomly. Sometimes you may feel that there is stretching or you are having constipation. At another point of time, you may feel that the cramping is going to tear the lower region apart.

Early signs of implantation

The earliest sign of implantation is mild cramping. Despite being a 48 hours process implantation occurs in two stages. During the first stage of implantation, there is cramping because of sinking in of egg.

The egg membrane has fibers that pierce endometrial lining and cause egg embedment. After the attachment of trophoblast fibers, the endometrial lining glands secrete substances that allow the egg to move in.

Early signs of implantation or pregnancy are nearly the same. Actually, implantation precedes early pregnancy. They are different terms for a similar thing.

What to do if you feel it is implantation instead of PMS?

You must get a home pregnancy test. Wait for five days at most to take a home pregnancy test. If you can afford more, then take a pregnancy test after three days from implantation.

After that, if you get a positive pregnancy test then consult your doctor. Get a blood pregnancy test and blood group test. Rh blood group compatibility is essential for the safety of your baby.

During implantation stay calm and eat healthy stuff. Avoid heavy workout. Do not insert tampons. Sexual intimacy during implantation can also cause problems. Over-the-counter, painkillers are not required and can interfere with the chemical makeup of the body during implantation.

The post Implantation Cramps or PMS Cramps? appeared first on Pregnancy.

How far do these treatments interfere with normal pregnancy progression? Does IVF lead to implantation cramping that is worse than usual? These are the questions that keep coming in a woman’s mind when she is trying to decide whether she should undergo such a treatment.

IUI seems more natural as only sperm delivery needs assistance. Can IUI lead to normal fertilization?

Implantation cramping after IVF and IUI is normal like natural pregnancy implantation. These procedures only interfere in the preimplantation events.

Implantation occurs normally. In vitro fertilization ends up transferring the zygote that is forming an embryo inside the uterus.

What is implantation cramping?

Implantation cramps are because of egg embedding in the endometrial lining. The embryo keeps dividing and moving down the tubes. Later on, implantation occurs in the uterus. This is for the further growth and nourishment of the baby.

As the egg invades the lining of the uterus, it causes downward pull. The blood vessels crush to create space for the future embryo. This causes implantation cramping. They are mild and not painful like menstrual cramping. The duration of implantation cramping is less than a day.

Even in case of IVF and IUI implantation cramps don’t last for more than a day. Implantation cramps are signs that the embryo moved to the uterus. After implantation, you can take a pregnancy test 5 days later to get a positive pregnancy test.

What is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization is the procedure of transferring embryo in the uterus. It is for women who cannot have normal fertilization. The reasons for using IVF are many including blocks in tubes or unsuccessful fertilization due to chemical reactions.

There are 5 steps for the complete IVF procedure.

1. Fertility medications boost ovulation in women. They also raise hCG levels and thus give a false positive pregnancy test. The pregnancy test after IVF is therefore not accurate. After ovulation is normal and healthy ova start releasing from ovaries.
2. The doctor retrieves these eggs and stores them in liquid nitrogen at a very low temperature.
3. Then the male partner or a suitable donor produces a seminal fluid sample that has sperms. If the sperms are not capable of fertilization, then Intracytoplasmic injection completes the process.
4. In an apparatus, the mixture of eggs and sperms is left for fertilization. After that, the zygote divides after thirty hours.
5. The embryo is then placed in the uterus of the mother.

All this is parallel to the normal process of release of eggs as ovulation and then fertilization in the tubes. The zygote then divides and moves down in the uterus. Whether in this case or natural pregnancy now is the time for implantation.

If the process was successful, then you can expect implantation 6-12 days after egg retrieval. It is difficult to time implantation after embryo transfer because the time span is too small. Implantation cramps will occur after 6-12 days from egg retrieval.

Natural pregnancy also leads to implantation after 7-12 days from conception. The day of egg retrieval is like ovulation. And so implantation cramping after IVF happens 6-12 days later from egg retrieval.

Cramps immediately after the procedure of embryo transfer cannot be implantation cramping. This is because the embryo needs to acclimatize to the uterus and reach the right site. The catheter that doctors insert in your vagina will cause some discomfort. But if you have bleeding and pelvic pain after IVF, then you need to tell your doctor.

Fever and intense cramping after IVF are signs that something is wrong.

Implantation cramping after IVF

Implantation occurs within 24 hours aft r IVF. It is because the embryo is already placed next to the lining of the uterus. Now it has only to figure out the right place for implantation and using the trophoblast layer attach to it.

Implantation cramps begin 24-48 hours after IVF. In a healthy pregnancy, implantation happens 7-12 days after ovulation.

After the procedure of IVF, it is natural to feel some itching, very mild. The instruments inserted in the vagina are new to it. They may cause some discomfort and discharge. But it is not because of implantation.

Implantation is a 48 hours long process. And it takes time as the blastocyst gradually sinks in the endometrial lining.

What is IUI?

Intra Uterine Insemination is the procedure of delivering the sperms inside the uterus. In typical cases after sex, the sperms travel from the vagina to the fallopian tubes. There have to bear the hostile condition of the vagina. Out of a large number, only a few manage to reach the tubes which are the site for fertilization.

Why do you need IUI?

Men who have erectile dysfunction are not able to deliver the sperms deep in the vagina. The sperms need to have the motility, shape, and size for being able to travel in the vagina –> uterus –> tubes.

Capacitation is the process of making the sperms capable of traveling in the vagina. The contractions of the vagina and uterus are responsible for the movement of sperms. After that, the sperms move by themselves.

When a woman has scars and is not able to have normal fertilization then also she needs IUI. Sperms problems can be resolved by using IUI.

What happens during IUI?

During intrauterine insemination, the sperms are delivered inside the uterus using a catheter. After this, they travel normally inside the uterus to the tubes. The success rate is low compared to IVF, but it is less invasive and less expensive.

About 20% of women conceive after IUI’s first attempt. The male fluid from a suitable donor or male partner is first washed to remove the fluids. Then the doctor delivers the sperms directly in the uterus. IUI only interferes with the pre-fertilization steps or precisely sex.

After that, it is a normal pregnancy progression. Fertility drugs cause ovulation and IUI schedule is near to it.

After about 24 hours fertilization must occur. Later on, the egg starts dividing and moves down the tubes for implantation.

When do implantation cramps after IUI start?

Implantation cramps after IUI will occur as in case of normal conception. Implantation occurs after 6-12 days from IUI.

Note that during IVF you had to expect cramping 24 hours after the procedure. In the case of IUI, it is 6-12 days after the procedure. When you time the cramping from egg retrieval in case of IVF then even in that case you expect implantation cramps after 7-12 days.

Implantation cramps and bleeding after IUI

It is normal fertilization, and so you can expect normal implantation. Implantation cramps and bleeding after IUI occurs about six days after your procedure. This will only happen if fertilization occurs.

In the case of women who can’t provide the environment for fertilization, IUI will not succeed.

Cramps after IUI can be because your body is allergic to your partner’s fluid containing sperm. This will make your doctor think of other possible ways to treat infertility.

But the cramps that happen on the day of IUI or cramps after 24 hours from IUI cannot be implantation cramps.

It is not possible that within 24 hours fertilization also occurs and implantation cramping starts after IUI. The first division of egg after fertilization takes 30 hours. It is only when the zygote forms a 64 celled structure called blastocyst implantation begins.

How to stop implantation cramping after IVF and IUI?

If you want to relieve the cramping after IVF and IUI, then you need to ask your doctor. OTC painkillers can interfere with pregnancy. Only certain medications are permissible during pregnancy.

You can try home remedies for implantation cramps after IVF and IUI.

1. Drink lukewarm water and lie down.
2. Avoid sexual intercourse during implantation cramping.
3. Do not wear tampons and do not douch.
4. Eat fruits and raw veggies to have a healthy gut. Bloating can worsen the implantation cramping.
5. Do not stress or physically strain your body during implantation cramping after IVF.

The post Implantation Cramping After IVF And IUI appeared first on Pregnancy.

Ice cube and lying under the fan are the most relaxing remedies for hot flashes. The fluctuations of hormones and changes in body temperature begin from implantation.

So, one can expect that hot flashes early pregnancy can even start before missed period.

What do hot flashes during pregnancy feel like?

Some women say that it feels like hot waves spreading through your body. Hot flashes can start from your head region or baby bump. The duration of hot flashes also varies from a few seconds to 5 minutes.

Some women also report hot flashes in legs during pregnancy. Restless leg syndrome or pregnancy leg cramps are the cause. Hot flashes in the face during pregnancy comes after the heat radiates from the other parts.

Though the burning is unpleasant, doesn’t lead any rashes or inflammation. When you see symptoms like rashes, it means that it is something other than hot flushes.

What are symptoms of hot flashes during pregnancy?

You’ll feel like you are near a furnace or under the sun. Sweating and palpitations are symptoms of hot flashes. You may have a red face and dizziness. Apart from feeling the heat all over, you may even pass out. Increased heart rate and restlessness may mimic anxiety during pregnancy.

Are Hot flashes a symptom of pregnancy?

Some women experience hot flashes as a pregnancy symptom. There can be a difference in the location or intensity of hot flashes. Hot flashes and heart racing during pregnancy is common during later stages.

Anxiety and depression during pregnancy are causes of intense hot flashes during pregnancy. The disturbed state of mind affects the temperature regulation of the body.

Along with it, the medications such an antidepressant are also causes of hot flashes in pregnant women. Early signs of pregnancy include hot flashes and increased heart rate or palpitations. But they are not primary symptoms of pregnancy.

A woman, who is having menopause or has undergone some surgery, can have hot flashes. The rise in hormones and changes taking place in body cause weird pregnancy symptoms.

Hot flashes and palpitations during pregnancy may also be indicating that labor is near. Some complications can lead to increased hot flashes during pregnancy. Hot flashes and passing out during pregnancy is not common.

If you have constantly high temperature, dizziness and hot flashes during pregnancy then you must seek medical advice.

Hot flashes and back pain during pregnancy is more common towards the end of pregnancy. 

A sign of labor and early pregnancy symptom, hot flush has very few causes. Only about 1 in 10 pregnant women have a noticeable problem. Rest either don’t have it during pregnancy or don’t realize it enough.

Causes of hot flashes during pregnancy

Hot flashes during pregnancy are because of changes in estrogen level.

1) Changes in estrogen

The post menopausal women have fluctuations in estrogen and have hot flashes. Pregnancy hormones change during the course of trimesters, estrogen is one of the most important pregnancy hormones.

2) Increased body temperature

During early pregnancy, body temperature rises and falls. Later on, the body temperature does return to normal but keeps fluctuating. The energy consuming processes lead to an increase in body heat.

3) High blood pressure

Women who have gestational hypertension or high blood pressure during pregnancy tend to have more episodes of hot flashes. The increased flow of blood to the skin tissues gives a red tinge and heats them up.

4) Overweight

When the woman who is pregnant is obese, then her body tends to produce more heat. Along with that, extra weight gained during pregnancy also increases the chance of getting pregnant.

5) Anxiety and depression 

The prescriptions and mental imbalance of hormones causes hot flashes. They can happen in any part of the body, even lower body.

6) Insomnia

Not having enough sleep, leads to changes in the body metabolism. The production of body heat that spreads everywhere is the ultimate cause.

7) Eating a lot of carbohydrates and spicy food

Diet during pregnancy plays a vital role in controlling the intensity of hot flashes during pregnancy. When your diet consists of junk or extra carbs, it is more likely that you’ll be suffering from hot flushes. Eating cool food such as cucumbers and taking in fluids helps to lower down body heat.

8) Dehydration

Lack of enough fluids in your body and state of dehydration can lead to hot flashes. Water acts as a cooling agent and also means to circulate the hormones.

9) Spaced meals

Another factor is when you allow your body to fall into low blood sugar state and then take a large meal. The level of sugar shooting up and down is not a healthy lifestyle. The state of distress arising in both conditions is another reason for hot flashes.

10) Fertility treatments

IVF or other fertility treatments utilize drugs to help you conceive. These drugs may be steroidal and can elevate body heat. Hot flashes early pregnancy IVF is a common problem that your doctors will tell you beforehand. They may give you vitamin D supplements as a precautionary measure for hot flashes.

Do you get hot flashes during pregnancy?

Some women worry about hot flashes as being a sign of mishap. However, hot flashes do not harm or indicate anything of that sort.

If the bun is fine in the oven, then you have to feel comfortable being one! One can have them even after delivery of the baby.

Are hot flashes normal during pregnancy?

You may and may not get hot flashes. If you follow the ways to avoid hot flashes, then you may never experience them.

Generally, a pregnant woman has a higher energy demand and so her body heat increases. But you need to notice the changes in your body temperature if they persist for long. Fever and hot flashes have many differences.

Hot flashes during pregnancy are normal episodes of increase in body heat and are reversed later. Fever, on the other hand, is because of some abnormal state.

What do hot flashes during pregnancy mean?

It’s a common myth that hot flashes are related to pregnancy gender. It is possible that many people predicted something or it was coincident that their predictions were true. After all, there is a 50-50 chance for either boy or girl.

Hot flashes during pregnancy indicating a boy or girl is not proven. However, some consider that when a pregnant woman has a lot of hot flashes she may be having a girl.

Hot flashes in pregnancy mean nothing but the fact that your body is having a hard time adjusting the temperature. You can’t cool down because you need all those vital processes, and cannot raise the temperature permanently. The heat liberation phases are only meant to spread the body heat intermittently. Hot flashes during pregnancy in cases of twins are more plausible.

Hot flashes during pregnancy third trimester

Hot flashes during pregnancy 38 weeks are a sign of labor to happen soon. Hot flashes in late pregnancy can be a sign of labor.

Hot flashes as a sign of labor is due to an increase in oxytocin and change of hormone ratios.

Oxytocin induces muscles activity and hot flushes can be because of increased activity. When you have hot flashes contractions during pregnancy, there is a lot of sweating.

Hot flashes and cramps during pregnancy can also be an impending miscarriage. You must never ignore when you have hot flashes and stomach pain.

Hot flashes early pregnancy miscarriage is common because at that stage the hormonal changes are aggressive. At times a pregnant woman may ignore the miscarriage symptoms as hot flashes and sweating.

How long do hot flashes last after pregnancy?

It is true that hot flashes continue postpartum and more commonly experienced than other symptoms. The body heat scales up during breastfeeding. A nursing mother has an even higher energy requirement than a pregnant woman. And thus the production of body heat increases. The new kind of hormones including prolactin and oxytocin is another roller coaster the mother’s body has to endure.

What are the cures of hot flashes during pregnancy?

Remedies for hot flashes during pregnancy include making changes in lifestyle. You need to keep your cool to stay cool. Anxiety and panic during pregnancy are natural but need to be consciously avoided.

Home remedies for hot flashes during pregnancy have steps like eating food rich in vitamin D and staying hydrated.

1. Wear cotton clothes: Light and loose clothes keep you cool and avoid feeling suffocated. Some clothes tend to make you feel uncomfortable and the stress outbursts as hot flashes.

2. Drink lots of water: Staying hydrated makes it easy for the body to maintain basal temperature. Dehydration is a cause of hot flushes. You can even place a wet cloth on your forehead to cure hot flashes. Applying ice on your wrists or body also treats the condition.

3. Avoid spicy food: Eating spicy food raises body heat. During pregnancy, you don’t have to eat lots of food. There is nothing as eating for two. You must include everything in your diet such as vital vitamins.

4. Opt out from going to crowded areas: Some women tend to feel the heat when they are amongst a lot of people. This is not restricted to going out in bustling streets. You can even feel suffocated in an elevator.

5. Take more than one shower a day: Whenever you are more likely to have an episode of having a hot flash, opt for a shower. Some women have hot flashes at night. They must take a bath before sleeping.

6. Sleep in a clean, cozy bed: Sleeping uncomfortably all night doesn’t allow you to be at peace. Even having an extra pillow can trouble you the entire night. It is best to first clean your bed and then sleep on clean covers.

7. Maintain a steady weight pattern: During pregnancy weight gain is normal but fluctuations are not. You must exercise and prevent gaining weight suddenly. The gradual increase in weight will also help you to stay healthy and have a smooth pregnancy journey.

8. Don’t stress yourself: Even when you are having an episode of hot flashes, avoid panic. The more adrenaline your body pumps, the worse the situation gets. Do breathing exercises during hot flashes.

9. Always have some hot flash remedy at hand: Table fans or an ice pack or your favorite juice are instant remedies for hot flashes. You need to keep things handy. When you are going out somewhere, take a bag with all such things.

10. Eat foods that are rich in vitamin D: Vitamin D supplements and cholesterol are important for sex hormones. The main hormone responsible for hot flashes estrogen too needs vitamin D. Studies showed that having vitamin D supplements relieved hot flashes.

The post Hot Flashes During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms And Remedies appeared first on Pregnancy.

Spotting after ovulation happens when the period has to start. But this happens when you are near to your period. Post ovulation bleeding before a week from the due period is frightening for those who did not know about implantation bleeding.

Women who want to get pregnant get a shocker when they see blood coming from the vagina. Any woman doesn’t take bleeding from vagina lightly except during period. Do they take it lightly even then! Implantation bleeding is less commonly known and experienced phenomenon.

15 Characteristics Of Implantation Bleeding

You need to know about the characteristics of implantation bleeding if you want to distinguish it. Everywhere you’ll find a few characters to distinguish the two. But there are major 15 characteristics of implantation bleeding to differentiate from the period. You can observe these, to diagnose implantation bleeding yourself.

1) Time of implantation bleeding

Implantation bleeding occurs two weeks before a missed period. You can time this from ovulating date too. In that case, implantation bleeding occurs after a week from ovulation. It is like an event that happens between period and ovulation to divert the path to pregnancy. After fertilization, the egg cleavage begins, and it moves down the tube. It takes three days for the egg to divide four times. After a week the egg attaches to the wall of the uterus and slowly moves in the lining.

2) Color of implantation bleeding

Implantation bleeding, unlike the period, is brown. The bleeding only lasts for few minutes, and the blood cannot flow out in such a short span of time. So it stays there in the vagina, and the clotting factors make it old. Later on, as there is spotting the blood is brown. Due to mixing with cervical mucus it can look orange. In case you have bright blood coming from vagina then you are having an actively bleeding area in your womb.

3) Intensity of implantation bleeding

The intensity of bleeding refers to the continuity of flow. During the first two days of the period, you have phases of continuous blood flow. But implantation bleeding never happens incessantly. It will always be like random bleeding. The bleeding intensity is so low that it is like spotting. Only a few drops of blood come out of the vagina during implantation.

4) Duration of spotting during implantation

Implantation bleeding lasts for about a day or two. This is because a small structure can only lead to a very low amount of bleeding. Compared to it the duration of bleeding during period and miscarriage is 5-10 ten times more. The period lasts for about five days while miscarriage leads to heavy bleeding for a week or more.

5) Kind of post ovulation spotting

There are no clots in implantation bleeding. The amount of blood is very less amounting to a few drops. The kind of discharge during implantation is more of spotting and least like bleeding. There may be mixing with cervical mucus to cause a pink tinge. Any other actively bleeding area in uterus gives bright red blood. There are clots of the disintegrated wall of uterus lining during menses.

6) Pain

Implantation pain is not an agonizing event. You might feel slight discomfort, and that will be the most that could happen. During implantation spotting, one doesn’t feel any sharp pain. Period pain is more than half of the problem during a month. Miscarriage or tubal pregnancy also have extreme cramping pain associated with it. The occurrence of excruciating pain in itself is a sign that it is not implantation.

7) Cramping

During implantation, the cramps are more like tingling sensations. PMS cramps or period cramps are unbearable. Some women need to take a painkiller or muscle relaxant during period cramping. Implantation cramps don’t require such analgesics.

8) Amount

The amount of blood released during implantation is only a few drops. Any woman who soaks a pad within an hour is surely not having implantation. During menses, there is a heavy flow of blood, and it continues for days. The reason behind excessive blood flow is that the entire uterine lining comes off.

9) Symptoms

Implantation symptoms are few and mild. There may be implantation bleeding, or it is even possible to have a healthy pregnancy without it. During implantation, there is bloating near the abdomen and breasts changes. All the hormonal changes cause early pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy toxicosis causes morning sickness like symptoms. Period symptoms are most painful and related to the vaginal muscles.

10) Positive Pregnancy Test

After a week from implantation, one must get a positive pregnancy test. This is because the placenta starts forming as soon as implantation is complete. Later on, the production of hCG begins. This is the hormone that pregnancy tests detect and so you get a positive pregnancy test after implantation. The hCG levels start doubling after every two days or 48 hours.

11) Basal body temperature

During implantation, there is an ambiguous dip in BBT. This happens in the case of non-pregnant women too but is more common during pregnancy. So there is a term for it called ‘implantation dip.’ The rise of BBT during ovulation, followed by fall during implantation and restoration to normal range forms a triphasic pattern. This is a sign of pregnancy if accurately measured.

12) Mucus changes

After implantation, the cyst keeps releasing progesterone. This hormone is a pregnancy hormone and prevents menses. It also enhances the production of thick white cervical mucus to form a mucus plug. In other cases when you have menses or miscarriage, your cervical mucus won’t increase after bleeding. After the period there is a phase of dry days where the amount of cervical mucus is negligible.

13) Prevalence

Implantation bleeding occurs for only 33% of pregnant women. Period happens whether regularly or not in case of every fertile woman after puberty. Thus implantation bleeding is a less prevalent phenomenon.

14) Risks

There is no risk in case of light implantation bleeding. If there is heavy implantation bleeding, then you may have a chemical pregnancy. It is a miscarriage due to the rejection of embryo or any such event. There is also a possibility that you had implantation at the wrong site.

15) After implantation bleeding

Early pregnancy symptoms start after implantation spotting. Morning sickness might not be evident until a week after it. Nasal congestion and frequent urge to urinate are common early pregnancy signs. Later on, you might even have leg cramps and bloating.

When to expect implantation spotting?

Normal implantation happens after 7-10 days from ovulation. If implantation occurs in less than 7 days after ovulation, then it is early egg embedment.

More than ten days for implantation comes under the category of late egg embedment. If there is late implantation, then you might even have it during menses. And in that case, you will miss your period next month.

If you solely rely on the absence of period as a sign of pregnancy, then you’ll continue with a cryptic pregnancy. On an average, most women undergo implantation by the 10th-day post ovulation. Some might have it earlier buy the late egg embedment is a more rare occurrence.

The post 15 Characteristics of Implantation Bleeding appeared first on Pregnancy.

Implantation bleeding, period or disease are the three main categories for mid-cycle bleeding. A woman expects to see blood coming from her vagina when her period is about to start. Any other bleeding is not normal. Unless she knows about implantation bleeding and is trying to get pregnant, she will not understand whether it is implantation bleeding or period or disease.

Blood coming from vagina due to any reason looks and feels the same. There are limited symptoms of implantation. Implantation is essential for normal pregnancy. If it is not successful then your pregnancy will not continue to be in a healthy state.

It is important to know whether it is implantation bleeding or period or disease in order to take necessary action.

If you take it as period then you will delay detecting pregnancy by one month when you will not have either.

Taking painkillers or using any pH altering soaps because you think that the mid-cycle bleeding is because of a disease can lead to pregnancy loss.

Implantation is the trickiest stage and can lead to early miscarriages or pregnancy abnormalities.

Ectopic pregnancy is a result of a defect in implantation which causes attachment of the embryo to the inside of tubes. A chemical pregnancy is due to many reasons including implantation failure.

What causes bloody discharge mid cycle?

Not many reasons exist for bloody discharge mid-cycle Vaginal bleeding is not a normal event and mostly happens only while period.

Vaginal bleeding after sex is also not normal and bloody discharge before period is mostly a sign of disease. But if a woman is trying to get pregnant then she has another possible reason for mid cycle bleeding and that is implantation.

Implantation is the egg embedment step that occurs after conception. The embryo needs nutrition and a way for passing out waste. The development has to start forming layers ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. It needs to become static at one point and then move ahead with the growth.

The human reproductive event of fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes. After thirty hours the fertilized egg divides into two. While repeated divisions it keeps moving down and finally on the sixth day reaches the endometrial lining.

Implantation occurs during the time period between 7-12 days after ovulation or conception. Ovulation and conception differ only by 24 hours. This is because the human egg stays viable for 24 hours. If sperms are present in the vagina during ovulation then fertilization may occur. There is no surety in any case and it is partially luck or destiny dependent.

When the egg reaches the endometrial lining it is a 64 celled blastocyst. It implants by making space in the uterus lining. This leads to bleeding from the smaller capillaries. The blood stays in the vagina and later comes out as brown spotting.

Implantation bleeding can be brown, pink or even orange. But it is not bright red or heavy and lasts for only two days at most.

Illness with implantation symptoms

Implantation symptoms like nausea and cramping are common to many other disease. Illness with symptoms of implantation can be because you are unnecessarily relating it. The symptoms of implantation apart from spotting are very general. They happen in case of disorders that are not even related to the reproductive system.

Cramping can be because of stomach upset or constant vomiting. Nausea can happen just because you have been travelling or were in a close room.

There are some major diseases that have implantation like symptoms. If you have intense cramping near you vagina and bleeding then it may be because of these reasons.

1) Cervical infections

Cervical infections happen every once a while to most women. Douching and using scented soaps is the biggest reason for it. If you use cologne or powders near your cervix then it can alter the bacteria present there. The balance of bacteria is essential for maintaining the pH of the region. Yeast infections are very common amongst women. Cervical infections make the cervix very sensitive. It can start bleeding due to any rub or vigorous touch. Symptoms like cramping and rashes are first signs of cervical infection. Cervical mucus during ovulation is stringy and it keeps the area wet. If you don’t take proper care and use tampons at that time it can aggravate infectious fauna. During spotting of any kind avoid using tampons and having sex.

2) Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes happen in many situations. When you switch to a birth control pill the hormonal cycle takes a toll on your body. The ruckus of hormones is damaging and causes spotting. If this happens near the time before period you may doubt pregnancy. But before period hormones fluctuate a lot and can cause spotting. Bleeding from vagina happens because of hormonal changes. Illness like symptoms can be a result of abnormal hormone balance.

3) Sexually transmitted diseases

Most STDs have rashes and bleeding as one of their symptoms. Genital rashes can bleed because of touch and tight undergarments. Sexually transmitted diseases are easily caught if you don’t use condoms. Any contraceptive device other than a condom doesn’t offer protection from STDs. Cheesy discharge from vagina or green mucus with odor are signs of STDs. You need to tell your doctor about such symptoms because STDs can lead to infertility in men and women.

4) Stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety are silent killers. Unlike other disorders, you don’t come to know about the damage incurred by stress. It can cause implantation symptoms like heavy head and weakness. You may feel tired even when you physically did not move an inch. Stress can even affect you fertility and cause spotting from the vagina.

5) Trauma

Any jolt or vigorous sex can cause bleeding from the vagina. Implantation bleeding is not painful. Traumatic bleeding from the vagina is heavy and occurs soon after the incident. There is no relation with the arrival of the period. If you met with any accident that hit you near your abdomen you need medical treatment. Internal hemorrhage leads to bleeding that may stay within for days. Later it will come out as brown discharge.

The only normal physiological condition which has similar symptoms of implantation is ovulation. You can be ovulating late due to many reasons like illness. You can use an ovulation kit for detecting ovulation.

Causes of bleeding during the first two weeks of pregnancy

Even after you take a pregnancy test you may continue to bleed. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, spotting is normal. Spotting during pregnancy may continue throughout the entire duration. There are many causes of bleeding during the first two weeks of pregnancy. Some of them need medical attention and that depends on the amount of blood and intensity of accompanying symptoms. The cervical region becomes very sensitive during pregnancy. Pap exams can cause bleeding from the vagina during pregnancy.

1) Threatened miscarriage

Bright red blood during the first two weeks of pregnancy is a sign that you are at higher risk of miscarriage. Even pregnancy is prone to miscarriages but threatened miscarriage means that you are more likely than others. A threatened miscarriage is a stage where a miscarriage can be stopped. Shortness of breath, chest pain and heartburn are signs of threatened miscarriage.

2) Placenta defects

Placenta Previa is the condition when the tissue comes out form the cervix. This is fatal for the developing embryo. Low lying placenta cases require complete bed rest during nine months. If you continue to leak blood from the vagina during the first two weeks of pregnancy then it may be a sign of placenta defect.

3) Cervical examination

Any cervical examination for bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection can cause bleeding from the vagina. During such examination, the doctors insert instruments inside the cervix. Irritation of the inner walls causes implantation like spotting. It will happen for sometime after the cervical examination.

4) Early miscarriage

A majority of pregnancies terminate prior to implantation. Pre implantation failures lead to very early miscarriages. If you have heavy bleeding then what you are taking as period may be a miscarriage.

5) Chemical pregnancy

A chemical pregnancy is when a woman is only having the factors in her blood that declare her pregnant. It feels like a normal pregnancy and later on starts bleeding. There is no way to stop a chemical pregnancy.

6) Tubal pregnancy

When implantation does not occur inside the womb then it is a tubal pregnancy. In that case, the embryo attaches to the wall of the fallopian tubes. Tubal pregnancy causes extreme cramps that get worse. If you don’t get it treated then you will have to sacrifice your fertility. The later stages of ectopic pregnancy demand the complete removal of tubes.

7) Molar pregnancy

When the tissue that was to become an embryo turns into mass it is Molar pregnancy. This happens due to genetic defects. When a sperm fertilizes an empty egg it causes a molar pregnancy.

8) Progesterone deficiency

After conception, the placenta formation causes a rise in Progesterone. This prevents menstruation and makes the lining stay in place. Progesterone is the pregnancy hormone and is essential for maintaining it. If there is a deficiency of progesterone then it can cause bleeding and miscarriage. Progesterone supplements might work to stabilize the condition. But you have to consult your doctor before taking any hormonal pill.

The post Implantation Bleeding Or Period Or Disease? appeared first on Pregnancy.

We get asked a lot, “How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last?”

So let’s first understand what’s implantation bleeding anyway.

Implantation bleeding is not the correct term to describe the egg embedment spotting. It is the term certainly, but for a woman, it may be confusing.

There is no bleeding during implantation that you see as a continuous flow. You only have a few drops of blood coming out of your vagina.

A continuous heavy flow of blood is not implantation. Implantation bleeding cannot continue for long because it is a short & rapid process. A small ball of cells is quickly accommodated by the endometrial lining that is actively growing.

When does implantation start?

Implantation begins after the egg forms a 64 celled blastocyst. After fertilization, the egg goes on dividing and converts into a ball of cells. 

Implantation starts after the blastocyst (guided by the egg membrane) reaches the final site of implantation. The membrane pierces the fibers in the endometrial lining and leads to self-degradation. 

Later the egg starts moving in the endometrial lining creating a space for it. 

After the egg attaches to the endometrial lining, the glands secrete substances that allow the egg to sink in.

How long does implantation bleeding last?

Implantation is a 48 hours process, and so at most, implantation bleeding can last two days. Implantation bleeding longer than two days can be because of tubal pregnancy. This is when the implantation occurs inside the fallopian tubes.

Implantation is a step that assures pregnancy. After fertilization, it takes a week for implantation. But implantation itself lasts for only two days at most. Some women may have implantation bleeding just for a few minutes.

If implantation bleeding lasts longer, then it is because of some abnormal condition.

Implantation is a 48 hours process, and so at most, implantation bleeding can last two days.

Can implantation bleeding last five days?

No under no circumstances can implantation bleeding continue for five days. You are either on your period or have had a very early miscarriage depending on the amount of blood and symptoms.

If you have shortness of breath, chest pain, and intensifying cramps then you may be undergoing a chemical pregnancy which is an early miscarriage.

Implantation itself doesn’t take more than two days; the symptoms will also not last for more than that. It is a rapid process with no risks or after effects. The pregnancy toxicosis is not because of implantation and doesn’t have bleeding as a symptom.

Morning sickness and other early pregnancy symptoms happen after implantation.

Implantation spotting and blastocyst attachment

Implantation is the early embryo attaching to the walls of the uterus. Blastocyst attachment causes the puncturing of the blood vessels and this leads to spotting (bleeding).

Implantation is the process that has to occur after fertilization for successful conception. The color of spotting is brown because the blood does not come out immediately. It takes some time for the few milliliters of blood to come out of the vagina.

Along with implantation spotting, mild cramps also occur. This is because the blastocyst pushes the blood vessels to make space for itself.

After implantation spotting, the blastocyst becomes an embryo and starts developing. The germ layers form, and the placenta precursors start growing. Later on, the organ system formation begins.

Normal and abnormal implantation symptoms

Normal implantation symptoms are not unbearable. Most women don’t even come to know when they had implantation.

Implantation symptoms include mild cramps, spotting, a rise in progesterone and hCG levels, and toxicosis.

The factors produced during the egg embedment makes the pregnant women feel sick. She has vomiting, constipation, dizziness, and weakness. Some may faint due to low energy levels.

Abnormal implantation symptoms include heavy bleeding and cramping. The cramps become very painful and are worse than menstrual cramping. This is because if conditions like Molar pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, and Ectopic pregnancy.

Other abnormal symptoms of implantation include shortness of breath, fever and chest pain.

What symptoms of implantation can be felt?

Cramping during implantation is like tingling and pulling inside the abdomen. Implantation bleeding is a visible sign of egg embedment. The cramps due to implantation don’t last for long. You can only feel these two symptoms of implantation. Other than these the changes due to implantation are internal.

The post How Long Does Implantation Bleeding Last? appeared first on Pregnancy.