Implantation vs period

[MMKMN]

Morning

I'm after some advice

Posted too soon!!

I posted recently about irregular/long cycles.

So my dilemma is I don't always know where I am in my cycle - I haven't tracked long enough to establish a strong pattern.

I'm on cycle day 45 which could be 8dpo.

I've woken up with cramps and bleeding and wanted to know what your experience of AF vs implantation bleeding is? How much blood is plausible, what was the pain like etc. I usually come on about 4am so 7am is unusual for me. I don't usually get any other AF symptoms other than cramps a few hours before, then AF arrives. This time I've had sore nipples and slightly swollen breasts for about 3 days.

Any advice/experience stories would be helpful.

Thanks all (fingers crossed it's not AF!!! )

Implantation bleeding is normally not like a period - it's usually just a smear of blood on your pants, or a few spots . If you've got cramps and actual bleeding, it's more likely to be a period. Sorry about that !

Thanks @stellabird

Least it gives me more data for my tracker

When I became pregnant with my first, I failed to notice it at first because I didn't think twice about my "weird period" that month. It was enough blood to be a period but less than normal and just all different. I noticed it and thought it was weird but didn't realise you can get a strange period at the start of pregnancy. So it's possible there's something going on.

That being said, every time since that I've had a strange period and thought I was pregnant, I never have been lol so it's unlikely but possible that it means something. Good luck with everything :-)