Implantation?

[caitlintea]

Hi!  I'm Caitlin, I've only been TTC for a few months, after four unplanned pregnancies that all resulted in early miscarriage.  I'm brand new, but, I was wondering what all experiences you ladies have had in the past.  I ask because I'm about 9dpo and am having some light spotting that's brown.  Beyond that the past few days my CP has been high, which is abnormal for me, unless I am ovulating.  And my boyfriend has noted a fluctuation in my breast firmness, I normally have soft breasts from lots of weight loss, and they've been firming up more in the past few days.  The spotting is what has me hopeful, though, as my cycle is pretty regular and I've never had any brown spotting in any normal menstrual flow or spotting.  Hope this isn't a fluke!

[mamaforever]

First off, I'm so sorry about your miscarriages.  I've had just one but it was heartbreaking, so mulitple ones must have been so devastating.  It does sound like you're having implantation spotting if you're sure when you ovulated and if you don't normally ever see spotting between periods.  I have been pregnant twice (first one was early miscarriage, second one was full term healthy pregnancy), and both times I had implantation spotting at 10 dpo.  I had spotting for several days.  My next symptom was breast tenderness (didn't really notice firmness changes, but they just suddenly become sore when I pushed on them or poked them).  But everyone has different early symptoms of pregnancy.  You should be able to test for pregnancy around the time your period is due.  I'm hoping you were successful and have a healthy pregnancy!

[caitlintea]

Thanks Traci.  The bleeding has gotten a little heavier, and has gone from a little bit of brown to a bit more dark brownish red, with some...clots? But it's barely enough to fill a thin panty liner, which is nothing like my AF.  (Sorry, TMI, I know.)  It's confusing because my period isn't due for a few more days, and I've got very very light cramping, where as my AF cramps are practically debilitating.  Kind of confusing, but I'm hoping for the best.  

[mamaforever]

It's hard to say what it could be... spotting/light bleeding can be normal during implantation, but could also certainly be the start to AF.  The waiting and wondering must be terrible!  Hope you get good news. :)

[Jaimee]

Many women say they have implantation spotting- especially on TTC forums, but it's actually quite rare.  Traci, I'm not saying you didn't have implantation spotting, you certainly could have!  I'm simply saying that spotting during your LP, especially as AF approaches is much more likely caused by fluctuating hormones.  Clots make it even less likely to be implantation bleeding.  How do you confirm ovulation?  Do you chart?  If you used OPK's or assume ovulation based on the calendar, then it's totally possible that you O'd earlier than you think and this is in fact the start of AF or pregnancy bleeding around the time of missed AF.  Have you tested yet?  If you are 12+DPO you will likely get an accurate result on a sensitive HPT.  Good luck!