What is Implantation Bleeding? Is Implantation Bleeding Normal?

Double board certified OBGYN and REI, Dr. Natalie Crawford, discusses implantation bleeding, what is normal, and what is not normal. Implantation bleeding is when bleeding occurs and the embryo starts to implant into the uterus. It’s important to understand implantation bleeding and when it could be something else and should be evaluated.

Questions:

What is implantation bleeding?

What is the timeline?

What is ovulation and when does it occur?

What are the phases of the menstrual cycle?

What is the corpus luteum?

What could cause bleeding before implantation?

What is the implantation process?

When does implantation bleeding occur?

What does it look like?

Can it cause pain?

What else can cause first trimester bleeding?

What puts you at risk of heavy bleeding in the first trimester?

What are the chances of a miscarriage?

What symptoms should cause concern?

What is placenta previa?

What is a sub-chorionic hematoma?

Resources:

Hasan R, Baird DD, Herring AH, Olshan AF, Jonsson Funk ML, Hartmann KE. Patterns and predictors of vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. Ann Epidemiol. 2010 Jul;20(7):524-31. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2010.02.006. PMID: 20538195; PMCID: PMC2884141.

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Harville EW, Wilcox AJ, Baird DD, Weinberg CR. Vaginal bleeding in very early pregnancy. Hum Reprod. 2003 Sep;18(9):1944-7. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deg379. PMID: 12923154.