The egg itself is only viable for about 24 hours after being released, but sperm can live inside your body for 3 to 5 days. The fertilized egg then implants into the uterine wall around days 22 to 26 of your cycle. Pregnancy tests measure the level of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin hCG in your blood.
This hormone is made by the placenta that nourishes the newly developing embryo. A urine pregnancy test — which can be done at home — is 99 percent accurate , as long as the test is not expired and you take it after the first day of your missed period, according to Planned Parenthood.
Some highly sensitive urine tests can be used earlier, but know that you run the risk of a getting a negative result when you are, in fact, pregnant. Bleeding in the first trimester is common. In fact, research shows that a whopping 25 percent of women will bleed early in pregnancy.
Still, any blood occurring during pregnancy is considered abnormal, and you should contact your doctor when it happens. When the bleeding is light, it may be caused by pretty simple things. For example, your cervix is more sensitive and developing additional blood vessels, so sex or a pelvic exam can cause bleeding. However, bright red or heavy bleeding during pregnancy can signal more serious issues.
Here are some possible causes:. Take a look back at your calendar to determine when the first day of your last period was, as well as the potential date of conception.
It's not likely, but it's possible to get pregnant after your period finishes. We'll tell you how. Spotting is lighter than a period and may indicate that you have an underlying condition. Call your doctor if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. Learn when a light period is nothing to worry about, and when it may be the sign of something more serious.
Your discharge can say a lot about your health. Here's our swatch-guide to vaginal…. Some symptoms are easy to identify as potentially serious health problems. Chest pain, high fever, and bleeding are all typically signs that something…. A miscarriage is also known as a pregnancy loss. These are the symptoms, causes, and a look at how to move forward.
The birth control pill introduces different hormones into your system. Learn how this may affect your menstrual cycle.
Worried about a late period, but know you aren't pregnant? Missed or late periods can happen for plenty of other reasons. Read on to learn about them. Due to fluctuating hormones, perimenopause periods may look different than your previous periods.
Find out what to do and which products can help. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What to Expect. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Color and consistency Other symptoms Pregnancy test See your doctor How long does it last?
What does it look like? Other symptoms of early pregnancy. If at any point during your pregnancy you experience heavy bleeding, contact your healthcare provider immediately or consider seeking emergency care. Cramping is normal during pregnancy, yet if the level of pain during cramping increases, it is recommended to contact a doctor.
Affordable and accurate pregnancy tests can be purchased from our corporate sponsor Fairhaven Health. You are welcome to contact our toll-free helpline at to speak with a pregnancy educator. Often, taking a pregnancy test before the missed period or during implantation bleeding is just too soon for tests to offer conclusive results.
Ideally, waiting a week after the spotting or missed period is most desirable as the results should prove more accurate. Implantation bleeding is a sign of a potential pregnancy. If you have waited until after your period was due and taken a pregnancy test that delivered a negative result, there is a good chance you are not pregnant.
Watching for implantation bleeding while trying to get pregnant is fine, but many women do not experience nor notice implantation spotting even when it does occur.
Norwitz ER, et al. Overview of the etiology and evaluation of vaginal bleeding in pregnant women. Moore KL, et al. Answers to clinically oriented questions.
Philadelphia, Pa. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ Bleeding during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Months 1 and 2. Washington, D. What is Implantation Bleeding? Implantation Bleeding Symptoms Implantation bleeding is considered one of the early pregnancy symptoms at least one of the first easily identifiable signs for a mother. These are the key differences between implantation bleeding and a period: Color. Whether heavy or light, most women are familiar with the color of their period usually a bright to dark red.
Implantation bleeding, however, is typically light pink to dark brown rust-colored in color. Some women experience a great deal of clotting during their menstruation, while some do not see much at all. Implantation bleeding, however, should not present any clots.
0コメント