What should implantation cramps feel like

In the uterus, the morula becomes a blastocyst and eventually burrows into the uterine lining in a process called implantation. Although some women report feeling cramping or pain during the implantation process, not everyone will experience this symptom.

The symptoms of early pregnancy can vary greatly from woman to woman. Some women experience mild implantation cramping several days after ovulation, while others do not.

Why might you feel cramping? To achieve pregnancy, the fertilized egg must attach to the uterine lining. Once the egg travels down the fallopian tubes and becomes a blastocyst, it begins the process of implantation in the uterus. Implanting gives the blastocyst a blood supply so that it can start growing into a fetus. Along with cramping, you may experience what is called implantation bleeding or spotting. This usually happens 10 to 14 days after conception, around the time of your usual period.

Implantation bleeding is usually much lighter than your regular menstrual period bleeding. There are many other early pregnancy symptoms you can watch for. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by hormonal changes or other conditions. This window usually includes days 6 through 10 after conception. By this time, your estrogen levels are lowering and your uterine wall is being prepared to accept implantation by the hormone progesterone.

If the blastocyst does implant into the uterine wall, your body will begin forming portions of placenta. Within two weeks, there will be enough of the human chorionic gonadotropin hCG hormone present to trigger a positive pregnancy test result. Other early pregnancy symptoms may begin to develop shortly after successful implantation. The onset of your period will reset your menstrual cycle. The hormone hCG must build up in your body before it can show up on either a urine or blood test.

If you take a pregnancy test before hCG has had time to build up, you may get a false negative. Urine tests may turn positive between 12 and 15 days after ovulation.

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