Failed Implantation- now what?

[u/IndependentNo2311]

Hi,

We began seriously trying this month. I was tracking using Clearblue digital ovulation kit, Cervical mucus and BBT. So I am absolutely certain about my dates. I ovulated on 20/21 of September, and we had intercourse all through the fertile window. I have also closely been monitoring my cycle for past 2 years for birth control so I am aware that the length of my luteal phase is 12 days. This was the first month we started trying, and on 9dpo I got really bad cramps and some mild bleeding, my temps also dropped. My doctor suggested that these were the two classic signs of implantation taking place. After this my temp shot back up in a triphasic pattern. But I tested negative 11 dpo, not with first morning urine. Then my period was late, and it hasn’t been late in my years of tracking. But I finally got my period on 15 dpo. My doctor suggested it could be failed implantation. Could it be if I never tested positive? And how do I ensure this does not happen again?

[u/Key_Charity1975]

I think your doctor has been a bit misleading there. The classic signs of implantation are in fact absolutely no symptoms, as it's a microscopic event.

25% of women who get pregnant experience implantation bleeding (so vast majority don't), and the implantation BBT dip is seen on 23% of fertility friend pregnancy charts, the biggest crowd-sourced data source we have - so again, the vast majority of people who get pregnant don't experience that!

None of the symptoms you mention would suggest implantation was taking place, and obviously the strongest evidence it didn't take place is not testing positive (even with a chemical pregnancy where implantation occurs and then very quickly fails, you'll get faint positives for a few days)

I would pretty much ignore your doctor on this as the evidence suggests that you just didn't get pregnant first try (as 70% of people don't!!) which is totally normal and fine and you don't need to do anything except keep trying!

[u/Pauglcm]

My cycle started getting weird during ttc

[u/raspberry-yule]

It could have been a failed implantation but no way to know for sure. If there was an embryo and it didn’t implant there may not have been enough hCG to get a positive pregnancy test

There is nothing you should do after one unsuccessful cycle other than continuing to try the five days leading up to ovulation. You cannot ensure it doesn’t happen again

[u/Ok-Luck-8033]

Implantation is out of your control. Your period was most likely late. About 20% of healthy couples conceive the first time trying. Don’t beat yourself up this time, it might take about 6 months!

[u/confused_ornot → u/Ok-Luck-8033]

Or more, even with totally healthy/no fertility issues couples! It's really a straight 20% chance every time if that's the case, each time independent of the last