The TTC journey can be lonely. Sharing our experiences can help us navigate our own paths and shine a light for others to travel theirs. So if you’re looking for heavy implantation bleeding stories, you’re in the right place.
Our community has been sharing heavy implantation bleeding stories, and asking their questions, in a supportive environment.
We’d like to (anonymously) share them with you, in the hope that they might help you through what you’re going through right now.
In this article: 📝
- What is implantation bleeding?
- Can implantation bleeding be heavy?
- Heavy implantation bleeding stories
What is implantation bleeding?
Implantation bleeding can happen in early pregnancy when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of your uterus.
Implantation bleeding is usually lighter than a period, but if it’s heavier, or you’re bleeding outside of your usual cycle for no obvious reason, check in with your doctor.
Why does implantation bleeding happen?
Implantation bleeding doesn’t happen to everyone, every time, but it can be one of your body’s ways of telling you that pregnancy has kicked off.
It usually happens somewhere between 7-14 DPO and can be accompanied by cramps.
And that’s where things get pretty confusing.
Because that’s right around the time you would be expecting your next period.
Cramps? Bleeding? These symptoms are awfully similar.
So how do you tell the difference between implantation bleeding and your period?
Well, the only way to know for sure is to take a test.
(The best time to do this is around 15 DPO or after your next expected period.)
Then, there are some other differences to watch out for.
Implantation bleeding — sometimes referred to as implantation spotting — is often reported to be light and spotty. It may come and go.
Periods, on the other hand, frequently start off light and ramp up.
As well as this, implantation bleeding tends to end quicker, often only lasting one or two days. Another way to differentiate is color. Implantation bleeding is usually pinkish-brown.
But is this always the case? As it turns out, it may not always be so cut-and-dry.
Can implantation bleeding be heavy?
Yes, you can have heavy implantation bleeding.
But before we dive in, if you experience heavy bleeding in early pregnancy, it could signal that something is up.
It’s always a good idea to check in with your healthcare professional.
There’s a chance it could be early pregnancy loss or ectopic pregnancy — where the fertilized egg implants itself somewhere other than the lining of the uterus.
Don’t underestimate the grief that comes with this early loss.
Reach out to others if you need support.
Seek medical advice.
And join the conversation on Peanut.
With all that in mind, there are situations where heavy implantation bleeding does not necessarily mean that something is wrong.
In fact, in some cases, it can mean that things are very, very right.
Can you have heavy implantation bleeding and positive pregnancy test?
Yes, you can have heavy implantation bleeding and a positive pregnancy test.
It’s not all that common to experience heavy implantation bleeding with a positive pregnancy test, however, so it’s always worth paying a visit to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned..
Heavy implantation bleeding stories
If you’re wondering, “Has anyone had heavy implantation bleeding and still was pregnant?”, the answer is a resounding “yes”!
While it can be a sign that things aren’t going as they should, it can also just be something that happens during this particular pregnancy, still resulting in a healthy baby.
So you know you’re not alone, we asked our Peanut community to share experiences of heavy implantation bleeding.
But if you’re after more heavy implantation bleeding stories and pictures, you’re welcome to join us on Peanut.
1. “A BFP?”
Has anyone had heavy implantation bleeding which led to a positive pregnancy test?
My period isn’t usually around this time, but I’ve experienced spotting and then what seems like a full period, and then back to spotting, but just for 48 hours.
No blood clots nor painful cramps.
Definitely feels different to a period?
2. “Heavy implantation bleeding with BFP”
“Has anyone had fairly heavy implantation bleeding at 9 DPO-11 DPO?
I did pregnancy tests that have all been negative until today.
The bleeding has stopped and it’s so light it didn’t feel like a period and I definitely had BFNs until now.
I have absolutely no pain, and the bleeding was heavy-ish but has now struggled to fill a pad since last night.
I definitely had very very clear BFNs from 8 DPO until 10 DPO, and now at 11 DPO I have BFPs on strip tests.
I tried different tests from different boxes and all show positives.
Clear blue was a VVFP in the time and FRER is not clear so I’d say negative.
I am so confused, I am not due properly until Tuesday and assumed this was my period due to all the negatives.
I do have a history of cysts wondering if they’re bursting and causing this ‒ clutching at straws but after advice going to the GP tomorrow!
Update: “It was a chemical pregnancy, unfortunately.
I had bloods done as I kept testing positive and then at the GPs the test was negative and bloods were super low.”
3. “Everyone’s different”
“My period arrived a couple of days earlier than expected.
It usually lasts around 5 days, but I’m on day three, and it seems to have dried up.
There’s very little blood, and it’s very brown/old.
However, day one and two were fairly heavy, just like my usual period.
Could this be implantation? Or is this wishful thinking?”
4. “Heavy bleeding and fertility treatments”
“I had some heavy bleeding at the start of last week.
I assumed I had come on early.
Did three tests, all positive.
As I’m under a fertility clinic, I had a blood test last Thursday and my hCG level was 30.
The nurse told me it looked like I had a chemical pregnancy.
I went for another blood test on Monday and my hCG results had risen to over 200!
The nurses and doctors were stumped because of the bleeding.
But told me to treat it like a normal, healthy pregnancy!
I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much…
The bleeding has completely stopped now. Could it have been implantation?”
(FYI, we’re not fans of the term chemical pregnancy. We prefer to call this what it is — early pregnancy loss. Find out more in our #RenamingRevolution.)
5. “Very faint line yesterday, heavy implantation bleeding today”
“I had what seemed like a VVFL yesterday.
Well, today I had more of a positive test!
Unfortunately, I simultaneously possibly started my period as it seems to be too heavy and too red to be implantation bleeding.
I’m super confused and bummed.”
Update: “I ended up having my period but I just got my BFP the next cycle! ❤️ 5 weeks tomorrow!”
6. “Tiny blood clots?”
“Has anyone ever had very tiny blood clots during implantation bleeding?
I’m 11 DPO and AF isn’t expected for another 3-4 days, but last night I had a little pinkish/red blood accompanied by small clots.
I was really upset, thinking AF came early, but today it’s gone.
This has never happened to me before, and I’m very, very regular and usually have a heavy flow.
I also typically get very bad cramps, but it’s only minor at the moment.
I’m just wondering if there’s any chance I’ve had weird, heavy implantation bleeding? Has anyone experienced anything similar?
Helpful comment: “I had this exact same thing happen to me Monday of last week and then got my BFP on Wednesday!
Don’t lose hope until AF.”
7. “Life with PCOS”
“Long story short, I have PCOS.
I finally ovulated. Baby danced.
And now I’m 5 DPO and experiencing some cramping.
I’m not supposed to start my period for another week.
My cramping feels like a pulled stretched muscle, and when I went to the bathroom and wiped I had bleeding, but it was pink, not red.
When my period starts, it usually starts quite dark.
Do y’all think this is implantation? Trying not to get my hopes up…
Helpful comment: “Implantation bleeding for me happened very quickly actually after conception, which if you look it up does differ with different people, but I would definitely take a test to see.
I didn’t even know I was pregnant when it happened to me, I was bleeding, then I wasn’t at night for a whole week.
Then it got a little darker and then stopped.
I didn’t question it until the next month’s cycle didn’t show up on the day of, and I took a test a day later and found out I was pregnant.
You could be, you could not be. I would definitely try taking a test.
But it could be too soon as well because I know when that occurred to me, it was literally days after conception, so if I took a test it would not show I was pregnant anyway.
I would keep track of it and see what happens in the next few weeks. And I would talk to your doctor.”
8. “I was told heavy implantation bleeding wasn’t possible…”
“I had heavy implantation bleeding which lasted no more than 48 hours about a week after I ovulated.
Then about 10 days after that, when my period was due, I had very dry brown blood for a couple of hours.
I didn’t have any cramping at all. I’m now 11 weeks pregnant!
Remember that everybody is different.
I was told heavy implantation bleeding wasn’t possible…
So don’t believe everything you read!”
9. “Heavy implantation or period?”
“I’m really confused and hoping I might be able to get some advice! I was 12 DPO (CD22) yesterday and had light pink spotting, which has gradually got heavier and darker, but still a lot lighter than my normal period.
I’ve also had cramping which feels more like I’m being pulled and stretched.
Normally, I always start my period CD24 and it’s very very heavy.
So I‘ve either started 2 days early or I’m having a lighter version of my period which could be implantation.”
Update: “It was my period, fingers crossed for next month.”
10. “Implantation in corner of uterus”
“I have two friends that bled a lot early pregnancy and were terrified!
We discovered that both their babies had implanted in the corner of their uteruses!
They’re both totally healthy, one will be born any day now, she literally text me a pic of her mucus plug last night (lol.)
And the other is one of my daughter’s besties, turning 4 years old soon!”
11. “Irritated cervix”
“My first two pregnancies I had heavy bleeding, found out I just had an irritated cervix that was bleeding.
It usually stopped by the second trimester, though.”
So if you’re experiencing heavy implantation bleeding, you’re not alone.
There’s a whole community sharing their heavy implantation bleeding stories.
So many of us are experiencing similar things.
You don’t have to go through this alone.
Wishing you all the best.