by Jennifer Wells

Created on: May 05, 2008

I always heard that implantation spotting was not a given, but that if it did occur was very light and occurred somewhere close to mid-cycle. Though this proved true in two of my three sisters, this was not in any way the case for me.

I had been trying to conceive for three years, and had already experienced five miscarriages. I never had any sort of spotting before any of them, and only found out I was pregnant as I lost them. This was terribly stressful and consumed my life. However, I finally reached a place where I quit focusing and stressing over having a baby, and was returning to swimming, exercise and other hobbies I intensely enjoy in life. I still think it was this complete relaxing that allowed my conception in the end.

That August I had just come through a regular menses (mine are generally pretty rough and heavy) and taken a trip with my husband. One night after we made love in the same hotel room we had honeymooned in he whispered to me 'there you go sweet, I just got you pregnant'. A few days later as we ended our trip, I noticed my ankles were completely swollen. So much so that my skin cracked and bled.

At home the next week I began my period two weeks early... I thought. There was barely any difference from a regular cycle at all. I bled heavy bright red, there was lining in it and everything. I was a little upset to have my menses so early, but not too disturbed since I have a pattern of irregularity anyway. Four weeks after that I found out that was pregnant and went to the doctor for an ultrasound. I described my two episodes and even though the second behaved as a menstrual cycle, they confirmed with the ultrasound that it was implantation bleeding, and I was six weeks pregnant.

The point I am making is this: any time you bleed mid-cycle you may want to follow up in two to three weeks with a pregnancy test, just in case. Whether it is mild spotting that can later be attributed to stress or simple physical fluctuation, it is always good to be aware of what your body is doing. A woman in touch with her body can detect many things early (from pregnancy to potential health risks), and get the proper medical care sooner. It always pays to know what your body is doing so you can have a longer, more productive life.

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