Know Everything About Implantation Cramps

Introduction:

Implantation is an important step in making new humans. Implantation is a process when a fertilized egg, called a zygote, attaches, and implants into the lining of the uterus. This process is very important for a pregnancy to develop successfully. The process of implantation starts a special and amazing journey as the growing baby connects with the mother's body to get food and support during its development time.

What Are Implantation Cramps and Why Does It Occur?

Implantation cramps are the cramps or mild abdominal discomforts associated with the process of implantation. Unlike other pregnancy symptoms, implantation cramps do not occur in all women. Some women do not experience any kind of cramping.

During the process of implantation, the blastocyst attaches to the uterine lining to receive nutrients. This attachment causes implantation cramps by activating the prostaglandins, which are hormones responsible for pain and inflammation. This causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, causing cramps.

The other significant sign is implantation spotting or bleeding. It happens around 10 to 14 days after the woman conceives, and this bleeding is usually lighter than the normal menstrual flow.

How Do Implantation Cramps Feel Like?

The implantation cramps are similar to menstrual cramps. Both usually occur around the same time. Mostly, implantation pain is mistaken to be menstrual cramps. However, there are a few slight differences between menstrual cramps and implantation cramps.

In the case of implantation cramps, women experience tingling, pulling, or pricking sensations. These kinds of sensations are not generally felt in the case of menstrual cramps. Apart from the differences in these sensations, there is no other difference between implantation cramps and menstrual cramps.

When Do Implantation Cramps Start and How Long Does It Last?

Women usually experience implantation cramps around 10 to 14 days after conception. Implantation usually coincides with the start of the menstrual cycle.

The pain from getting an implantation does not stay for a long time. But how long it takes can be different for each individual. Some women do not experience any kind of these implantation cramps. Some women experience implantation cramps for a few minutes, and they can also come again in about two to three days.

What Happens In the Case of Implantation Cramps?

When a blastocyst implants in the uterus, the placenta is formed, and the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone levels begin to rise. When a pregnancy test is taken at around two weeks, the hCG is detected in the urine, indicating pregnancy. If the implantation does not occur, then the uterine wall starts to shed, resulting in a menstrual cycle. There are two phases in the menstrual cycle:

• Follicular Phase: In the follicular phase, the body is preparing to release an egg. It starts on the first day of the menstrual cycle.

• Luteal Phase: In this luteal phase, the egg waits to get fertilized. Every month the body prepares itself for pregnancy, whether intercourse happens or not. After ovulation, the mature egg is released, and the follicle gets sealed and forms the corpus luteum. This corpus luteum is responsible for the release of estrogen and progesterone hormones. Progesterone is the hormone that causes the uterus to thicken, so that if the woman gets pregnant, then the egg will have a soft cushion to get attached and grow.

In case the woman is not pregnant, then towards the end of the luteal phase, the levels of progesterone and estrogen fall, and the uterine lining sheds, resulting in menstrual periods, and the start of a new menstrual cycle.

Where Are Implantation Cramps Felt and What Should Be Done for It?

The implantation cramps are just like menstrual cramps but are lesser in intensity. It is generally felt in the lower abdomen and the lower back. Sometimes, the implantation cramps can manifest on one side of the body only. Implantation cramps feel like prickling, tingling, or pulling pain of shorter duration, and they are not intense.

If the woman experiences cramps after a missed period, then it indicates that it might be related to implantation, and it can also be an early sign of pregnancy. Also, it may be too early to do home pregnancy tests as the hCG levels would not have reached the required levels to show up in urine or the blood. But if the cramps are too severe or sharp, and if they radiate throughout the pelvis and abdomen, then seeking immediate medical attention is important, as it can be due to ectopic pregnancy or any other underlying medical condition.

How To Differentiate the Symptoms of Pregnancy and Premenstrual Syndrome?

What Are the Other Early Signs of Pregnancy?

The other early signs of pregnancy are the following:

• Implantation bleeding.

• Tiredness.

• Feeling sick.

• Vomiting.

• Craving for food.

• Swollen and tender breasts.

• Mood swings.

• Dizziness.

• A rise in body temperature.

• Missed period.

When Should a Pregnancy Test Be Done?

Once a woman suspects pregnancy or notices the first sign of pregnancy, She would be very excited and anxious to use a pregnancy test. But it is better to take the pregnancy test two weeks later because the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) needs time to increase in the body for it to show up in the urine or blood test. In case a pregnancy test is done too early when the hCG levels are not adequate, then the test may end up showing false negative results. The urine tests may show positive only after 12 to 15 days of ovulation.

Is It Necessary to See a Doctor for Implantation Cramps?

It is normal for women to experience implantation cramps during pregnancy. But they may need to see the doctor if the cramps are very severe. It can be indicative of any underlying medical condition like an ovarian cyst, urinary tract infection, ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage. If the cramps are due to ectopic pregnancy and when left untreated, they can rupture inside the fallopian tube and can result in internal bleeding.

Conclusion:

Implantation cramps can be an early sign of pregnancy. It can be mistaken for menstrual cramps. So, it is very important to correlate with the early signs of pregnancy. However, these symptoms alone do not prove pregnancy. So, to confirm pregnancy, a home pregnancy test should be taken, and the results should be verified by a healthcare professional.