implantation bleeding.
last revised · reviewed 2026-07-05
Implantation bleeding is light spotting that can happen when the fertilised egg embeds into the lining of the womb, around 6 to 12 days after conception — often close to when your period would have been due. It is typically pink or brown, very light, and lasts a few hours to two days.
what it feels like
Most women notice a small amount of pink or brown discharge when wiping, or a light smudge on underwear — far lighter than a period. There may be mild, fleeting cramping alongside it, or nothing at all. It does not build into a heavier flow.
why it happens
Around a week after fertilisation, the embryo burrows into the blood-rich lining of the uterus. This embedding can disturb tiny blood vessels in the lining, releasing a small amount of blood that takes a day or two to travel out — which is why it often appears brown rather than red.
what helps
- Nothing is needed — implantation bleeding stops on its own and requires no treatment
- Use a panty liner rather than a tampon, so you can keep an eye on the colour and amount
- Note the date — it can help your midwife with dating the pregnancy later
- Take a pregnancy test if you haven't already; by the time implantation bleeding appears, a test will usually turn positive within a few days
- Rest and carry on as normal — light spotting alone is not a reason to stop your usual activities
when to call your midwife or doctor
- Bleeding becomes heavy, bright red, or fills a pad — call your midwife or doctor
- You have one-sided tummy pain, shoulder-tip pain, or feel faint — these can signal an ectopic pregnancy and need urgent assessment
- Bleeding continues beyond a couple of days or keeps returning
- You pass clots or tissue — contact your midwife or doctor the same day
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call — no midwife has ever minded a careful question.
common questions
How do I tell implantation bleeding from a period?
Implantation bleeding is lighter, shorter, and usually pink or brown rather than red. It does not ramp up into a proper flow, rarely lasts more than two days, and typically arrives a few days earlier than a period would. If bleeding builds like a normal period, it most likely is one.
Does everyone get implantation bleeding?
No — only around 1 in 4 women notice any spotting in early pregnancy, and not all of that is implantation bleeding. Having no spotting at all is completely normal and means nothing about the health of the pregnancy.
When should I take a pregnancy test after implantation bleeding?
The pregnancy hormone hCG starts rising once implantation is complete, so a sensitive test may turn positive within 3 to 4 days of implantation spotting. Testing from the first day of your missed period gives the most reliable result.
read it in context
Implantation bleeding tends to show up around these weeks of pregnancy:
related symptoms
- Constipation
Constipation affects up to 4 in 10 pregnant women, because progesterone relaxes the muscles of the gut and slows digestion right down.
- Frequent urination
Needing to wee more often is one of the earliest pregnancy signs, driven by increased blood flow to the kidneys and hormonal changes.
- Food aversions
Food aversions — a sudden, visceral repulsion to foods you normally enjoy — affect around 6 in 10 pregnant women, usually starting in the first trimester alongside nausea.
know what's normal, week by week
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