Heavy Implantation Bleeding: What’s My Period, and What’s Not?

Implantation bleeding refers to vaginal bleeding that sometimes occurs in early pregnancy when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterine lining. It typically happens about 10–14 days after conception or around the time when you might expect your next menstrual period.

Many people notice only light spotting, while others experience heavy implantation bleeding for up to three days. If you notice clots or experience pain alongside the bleeding, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition or early pregnancy loss.

This article will go over what to know about implantation bleeding, both light and heavy, as well as how to manage bleeding during early pregnancy and when to reach out to a healthcare provider.

What Is Considered “Heavy” Implantation Bleeding?

Most people report that implantation bleeding looks lighter than their period and lasts just one or two days. Heavy implantation bleeding is more of a constant flow and can last for three days.

Causes of Heavy Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding occurs around two weeks after conception, when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus. During this process, blood cells sometimes burst in the uterine lining, leading to vaginal bleeding.

Usually, implantation bleeding causes only light spotting for a few hours or a single day. For some people, it may be heavier and can last up to three days. Heavy implantation bleeding is still lighter than your typical “medium” period flow.

One of the primary causes of heavy implantation bleeding is a first-time pregnancy. If you’ve never been pregnant before, you’re significantly more likely to notice heavier bleeding during the implantation process.

Some people experience heavy implantation bleeding due to an underlying bleeding disorder. Possible examples include:

• Von Willebrand disease, an inherited condition that makes it harder for blood cells to clot due to low levels of Willebrand factor in the blood.
• Hemophilia, which makes it more difficult for blood to clot due to a lack of or decrease in clotting factor VIII or IX.
• Rare acquired bleeding disorders, including deficiencies in clotting factors I, II, and V.
  

How Implantation Bleeding Generally Looks

Implantation bleeding may look like very light spotting, but it’s sometimes more like the beginning of your usual period flow. Let’s go over the differences between light and heavy implantation bleeding.

Light Bleeding

Light implantation bleeding is typically pink, rust-colored, or light red. It may last anywhere from a few hours to a day or two. Many people notice it in their underwear or when they wipe after using the restroom. It may present as barely noticeable spotting or a light intermittent flow.

Heavy Bleeding

Heavy implantation bleeding may look somewhat like the beginning or end of your menstrual flow. It may be pink, rust, or light or bright red. Unlike light implantation bleeding, it could go on for up to three days. The flow might be either constant or intermittent. You may need to wear a pantyliner.

Implantation bleeding does not typically fill up a normal menstrual pad or tampon, and it doesn’t cause clots. If you notice clots, you are most likely starting your period or bleeding for another reason.

How to Manage Heavy Bleeding in Early Pregnancy

During early pregnancy, you can manage vaginal bleeding by:

• Getting ample rest
• Staying off your feet
• Not using tampons
• Avoiding sexual intercourse

Reach out to a healthcare provider if your bleeding doesn’t resolve on its own. If your bleeding becomes very heavy (i.e., filling a pad in an hour or less), go to the emergency room or call 911.

Complications From Heavy Implantation Bleeding

If your vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy is as heavy as a typical period, includes clots, and/or goes on for more than a few days, it’s most likely not implantation bleeding. Your bleeding could be due to one of the following health complications:

• Subchorionic hematoma, which refers to bleeding between the uterine wall and the chorion (a membrane surrounding the embryo)
• Molar pregnancy, a non-viable pregnancy caused by abnormal cell growth in the placenta
• Early pregnancy loss, or a miscarriage before 13 weeks
• Ectopic pregnancy, a medical emergency caused by a fertilized egg that grows in the fallopian tube
• Infections, such as infections of the cervix or uterus
  

Reasons to Check In With a Healthcare Provider

If you suspect that you may be experiencing implantation bleeding, the first thing to do is to take a pregnancy test.

Along with implantation bleeding, other symptoms of early pregnancy you may experience include:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Mood swings
• Tenderness in the breasts
• Pain in the lower back
• Light cramps

Together with a pregnancy test, these symptoms may help to suggest that your bleeding is due to implantation. Contact a healthcare provider to confirm if you are pregnant through an ultrasound.

You should also reach out to a healthcare provider if you are experiencing pain and bleeding. Implantation bleeding is usually painless. Some people experience very light cramping or a “twinge” during implantation, but it should not be severely painful or as painful as typical menstrual cramps.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding that fills a menstrual pad or tampon in an hour or less
• Lightheadedness
• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pain

Summary

Approximately two weeks after conception, some people experience vaginal bleeding known as implantation bleeding when a fertilized egg implants into the womb.

Light implantation bleeding can last a few hours or just a day or two. It’s often pink or light red and may look like spotting. Some people experience heavy implantation bleeding, which may be more consistent, require a pantyliner, and last up to three full days.

Implantation bleeding is not typically a cause for concern. However, if you are experiencing heavy bleeding or pain, seek medical help right away. You could be experiencing a miscarriage or a medical emergency, such as an ectopic pregnancy.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. American Pregnancy Association. What is implantation bleeding?
2. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Bleeding during pregnancy.
3. National Health Service. Von Willebrand disease.
4. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is hemophilia?.
5. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Bleeding disorders - types.
6. American Pregnancy Association. Spotting during pregnancy.
7. MedlinePlus. Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy.
8. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ectopic pregnancy.

By Laura Dorwart
Dr. Dorwart has a Ph.D. from UC San Diego and is a health journalist interested in mental health, pregnancy, and disability rights.

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