When Does Implantation Happen, and Can You Feel It?

If you are in the two week wait, implantation is probably one of those things you have thought about more than once.

When does it happen?

Would I know?

Would I feel anything?

It is such a strange part of trying to conceive because so much may be happening inside your body, but you usually have no idea yet.

What is implantation?

If sperm fertilizes the egg, that tiny fertilized egg starts dividing as it travels toward the uterus.

After a few days, it develops into a tiny ball of cells called a blastocyst.

Implantation is when that blastocyst reaches the uterus and starts attaching to the lining.

When does implantation usually happen?

Implantation usually happens around 6 to 12 days after ovulation.

For many pregnancies, it happens around 8 to 10 days after ovulation.

So if you are only a few days past ovulation, implantation probably has not happened yet.

And if it happens a little later, that can still be normal too.

What happens after implantation starts?

Once implantation begins, cells that will later help form the placenta start producing hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin.

That is the hormone pregnancy tests detect.

At first, there is only a tiny amount.

Then it starts to rise.

That is why a pregnancy test can still be negative even if conception has happened. Your body may simply need more time to make enough hCG for the test to pick it up.

Can you feel implantation?

Maybe, but there is no one symptom that can tell you for sure.

Some women notice mild cramping.

Some notice little twinges.

Some have light pink or brown spotting.

And many women notice absolutely nothing.

That is the frustrating part. The symptoms can be so subtle, or not there at all.

Does implantation always cause spotting?

No.

Some women have light spotting around this time, but many do not.

So if you do not see spotting, it does not mean implantation has not happened.

And if you do see spotting, it does not automatically mean it is implantation either.

What about cramps?

Mild cramping can happen around the same time.

But cramps can also happen because of normal hormone changes after ovulation or because your period is coming.

That is why cramps alone cannot give you the answer.

What if I feel nothing?

That can be completely normal.

You do not need to have cramping, spotting, sore breasts or any other early symptom for implantation to happen.

Some women do not notice anything different until after they miss their period.

So how do you actually know?

Most of the time, you do not know implantation has happened in the moment.

You find out later, when enough hCG has built up and a pregnancy test turns positive.

That is why this part of the wait can feel so uncertain.

There may be a lot happening, even when you feel completely normal.

The simple version

Ovulation happens first.

If the egg is fertilized, it develops as it travels toward the uterus.

Implantation usually happens around 6 to 12 days after ovulation.

You may notice mild symptoms, or you may feel nothing at all.

Then hCG starts to rise, and eventually a pregnancy test may become positive.

Read next

• What Happens After Ovulation? 1 DPO to 14 DPO

• The Two Week Wait: What Is Actually Happening in Your Body?

• When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

• Pregnancy Week 4: Implantation and Your First Positive Test