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Implantation bleeding: Normal in early pregnancy?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/implantation-bleeding/AN02029
- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical director of content, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for Mayo Clinic's health information site to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a practicing physician and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this website. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
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Question
Implantation bleeding: Normal in early pregnancy?
Is implantation bleeding normal in early pregnancy?
Answer
from Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Implantation bleeding — typically defined as bleeding that occurs 10 to 14 days after conception — is normal and relatively common.
Implantation bleeding is thought to happen when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Implantation bleeding generally lasts for a short time, and is usually much lighter and occurs earlier than a menstrual period. Occasionally, implantation bleeding might last for one to two days with a flow similar to a menstrual period.
Some women don't experience implantation bleeding and others don't notice it. It's also possible to mistake implantation bleeding for a period. If this happens, you might not realize that you're pregnant — which can lead to mistakes when determining a baby's due date.
Implantation bleeding stops on its own and doesn't require treatment. If the bleeding persists or you're concerned about any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, contact your health care provider.
Next questionBirth control pills: Harmful in early pregnancy?
- Norwitz ER, et al. Overview of the etiology and evaluation of vaginal bleeding in pregnant women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 22, 2011.
- Lentz GM. Chapter 8 — Differential diagnosis of major gynecologic problems by age group: Vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, pelvic mass. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50011-X&isbn=978-0-323-02951-3&sid=1195105345&uniqId=275693638-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50011-X--cesec2. Accessed Aug. 22, 2011.
- Moore KL, et al. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:55.
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