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Embryo implantation is a process that for many women is completely asymptomatic. Occasionally there is spotting or pain that will disappear after a short time. What is the implantation of the embryo in the uterus, what does it look like after in vitro transfer, what is worth knowing about this process by which life begins?
How long does embryo implantation take?
A few days after fertilization, the embryo is implanted in the uterus. Fertilization is a combination of an egg and a sperm, and as a result of this fusion of two cells, a zygote is formed, which begins to divide in the process of cleaving. In the middle of the zygote, the so-called blasometers, or cells that also divide. When their number reaches 16, the zygote enters a new stage, it becomes a morula. The morula travels through the fallopian tubes towards the center of the uterine cavity, the sheath disappears, and fluid from the fallopian tubes seeps in, it collects between the blastomers and slowly fills the inside of the morula. A blastula cavity is formed and the morula transforms into a blastocycta. The blastocyst has two layers, the outer one forms the trophoblast, i.e. the future placenta, and the inner one is the embryo, fetus and child. The blastocyst falls out of the fallopian tube and moves along the surface of the uterine mucosa, looking for a good place for embryo implantation, this place is the upper back wall of the uterus. The implantation of the embryo occurs between the 6th and 12th day of embryo development. The implantation takes several days and the embryo develops in the uterus for about 9 months.
Embryo implantation – when is the test?
Menstrual bleeding or the beginning of pregnancy? Women sometimes ask themselves this question because implantation of the embryo in the uterus can result in spotting. This is why a pregnancy test should be done around the time of your expected period, even if you are bleeding, which is approximately 14 days after ovulation. The embryo that has established itself in the uterus causes the body to produce the appropriate hormones, including the hormone chorionic gonadotrophin (beta hCG), which can be found in a blood test. Implantation spotting occurs because the embryo is completely submerged in the endometrium, and a blood clot appears at the site of its entry and is expelled. Apart from that, the signal of implantation of the embryo may be slight uterine contractions, mild pain for several days, then it is better to give up physical and sexual activity. It is worth going to the doctor to confirm the pregnancy.
Embryo implantation – spotting or period?
Bleeding resulting from implantation of the embryo in the uterine cavity is the first symptom of pregnancy. It can occur at the same time as menstruation, which is why women often take it for their period. Meanwhile, there are some differences between these types of spotting. Implantation staining has a smaller amount of blood than menstruation, spotting lasts only 3 days, usually 6-7 days, spotting does not hurt the lower abdomen, as is often the case with menstruation, and there are no blood clots characteristic of menstruation in spotting. Implantation spots occur in women who have had a violation of the blood vessel wall during implantation.
Embryo implantation after transfer
The implantation of the embryo is similar to the process of natural conception. After embryo transfer by IVF, no spotting is an expected symptom, but it happens that about 7-10 days after fertilization with this method, spotting appears, if it is slight and does not turn into menstrual-like bleeding, it may be just implantation staining. After the transfer and in the event of spotting, the woman should check the level of progesterone, if it is low, take doses of this hormone and other medications prescribed by the doctor. Progesterone prepares the uterine wall to receive the embryo. Pregnancy should be confirmed by blood tests and ultrasound. All symptoms of embryo implantation are felt individually, there is no rule. After IVF, follow the recommendations of the gynecologist.