The pregnancy period is a magical phase because we witness the miracle of life happening before our eyes. But not everything always goes as expected and, unfortunately, miscarriages do happen. It is very difficult to deal with a miscarriage, especially for couples who have been waiting a long time for that dreamed-of positive. The world seems to collapse!! But after all, how does the embryo implantation process happen and why can it fail? Is there a way to prevent it?
Embryo implantation, medically known as nidation, happens when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall1. The entire process from moving through the fallopian tubes to the attachment in the uterus can take, on average, 4 to 15 days, and some women bleed when implantation takes place. This bleeding is often mistaken for a period, but it is actually related to the rupture of small blood vessels in the area.
What Happens After Embryo Implantation?
After implantation, the development of embryonic structures begins. The placenta, amniotic sac, and umbilical cord are formed and only after the 5th week of pregnancy are estrogen and progesterone synthesized to maintain the endometrium and end the production of HCG.
How to Help the Embryo Implant
Many women who miscarry may wonder if there is a way to help with embryo implantation. And the answer is yes, there is. However, it is necessary that several factors align for everything to go as expected.
The combination of good eggs with good sperm, for example, results in good embryos and the younger and healthier these cells are, the faster fertilization will happen. But this is not just related to the age of the man or woman, but also their daily habits, which directly influence the health of the gametes2.
People who smoke, consume excessive amounts of alcohol, or ingest a lot of caffeine, for example, may have their egg and sperm production affected. That is why acquiring healthy habits, avoiding these substances and maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, is the ideal start for couples who are trying.
Supplementation with vitamins is also highly recommended, in order to help strengthen the eggs3. Vitamins C, D, A, B6, and B1, as well as Methylfolate (the active form of folic acid), are essential for all women trying to conceive. For men, the most recommended are C, D, E and Methylfolate, in addition to zinc. Studies also show that certain foods like pineapple, gelatin, coconut water, and red raspberry leaf help embryo implantation, preventing miscarriages.
Symptoms of Embryo Implantation
When a couple is giving their all trying to conceive, how do they know if it worked? Are there symptoms of fertilization and implantation? The answer is also yes! Of course, it’s not a rule and not all women feel them in the same way or at the same time. Some may take a long time to feel anything or may not feel anything at all, after all, each body and organism reacts in its own way.
The most common symptom, however, is nidation bleeding. Usually, this nidation bleeding is light, like coffee grounds and yellowish in color. Its consistency is also thinner than menstrual blood.
It tends to occur between the 10th and 14th day after fertilization and lasts 2 to 3 days, so it can be mistaken for an early or irregular period. Another common symptom during embryo implantation is cramping.
Since the embryo is penetrating deeper into the endometrium, it is normal for the woman to feel some discomfort and mild cramps during the process. However, as with any symptom, it’s not a rule and not all women will feel this. It’s worth noting that dizziness and vertigo, especially in the morning, can also happen because of blood vessel dilation, causing blood pressure to drop.
IMPORTANT: many women, driven by the anxiety of a positive result, end up taking the pregnancy test too early and get a false negative. Waiting for the right time is crucial.
Basal temperature is the most monitored symptom among those trying to conceive. Everyone knows that after ovulation, body temperature tends to rise and only returns to normal when menstruation begins. However, when fertilization occurs, basal temperature varies by 1 degree, either above or below the normal range. This happens because the body itself is regulating temperature to favor embryo implantation.
As every woman’s body works differently, it is possible to feel only some symptoms or simply none. Confusing it with a period is also quite common, as PMS symptoms are very similar.
How to Know if Implantation Occurred
The best way to be sure it worked and you’re pregnant is to take an HCG test at least 15 days after ovulation. If the result is negative, you can repeat it a few days later to confirm. It is always good to highlight that taking the test too early can give a negative result even if you are pregnant, so hold off on the anxiety and wait the right amount of time.
See also: Nidation Symptoms – When Does Implantation Actually Occur?
