Implantation pains vs PMS

[mummabubs]

Hi all, hubby and I are ttc #2. Our DS was born 3 years ago, last year we tried to conceive for 5 months, had no luck in this time frame and then husband had what can only be described as a royal wobble as tk whether he wanted another child at all. Fast forward to now and we're back on the same page, first month of ttc. I came off the pill a month ago, period was due 2 days ago but no sign so far. However I've been getting cramps on and off for the last 3 days. Usually I get these cramps about 12 hours before AF appears. This time, nothing. I've done pregnancy tests on the first day period was due and again 48 hours later (today), both negative but then with DS I didn't get a BFP until my period was 5 days late!

I was just wondering those who had implantation cramps, were you able to suss that this is what they were or how did you diffrentiate them from PMS? Part of me thinks AF will just show up randomly and then I'll kick myself for being hopeful, but this does feel different to periods I had last year. (With DS I literally had no signs or symptoms other than my period not showing up!) Thanks in advance x

Hello - I'm following this thread. Thought I had implantation pain last month but must have just been my body adjusting to coming off the pill. Anyway will be trying again this month (August) AF due 1st September 😬 good luck xx

Thanks @Florence0 good luck to you too! Still no period for me, another test was negative today so I've splashed out on a first response test to use tomorrow if there's still no sign.

For me, in my last pregnancy implantation pains were like more of a mild pain than AF pains, they seemed to be on one side and then would switch to the other side. I also had tiny bit of spotting with it and browny/pink cm.

I had implantation cramps with my second pregnancy but not my first. Hard to describe them... my period cramps are more painful as I HAVE to take ibuprofen but with implantation I didn’t, just rode them out. Kinda tight cramps that you get before you need a poo lol sorry it’s hard to describe

When I got pregnant, I had the exact same period type cramps as usual. Absolutely no difference whatsoever - they just ended up going on for a few days longer than usual because my period never turned up!

I don't know if I'm pregnant yet but really strong cramps and strong spotting. AF due on the 9th, will test on Wednesday x

I'm praying we can dtd twice next week around cd12 and cd14 as those are the only days that week I will see my OH due to his work commitments 😬 just hope those two occasions will do the trick! X

Yeah let us know @frolicmum good luck xx

Thanks everyone and good luck @frolicmum! It's oddly reassuring that others experienced them as feeling like usual period cramps.

Test was negative this morning but still no sign of AF at all (I always get the cramps and then AF follows, now the cramps have gone but no AF so I'm wondering if they were implantation cramps and therefore will need a couple of days to build up the hormones). Plan is to test again in 48 hours if still no period.

Did you test @frolicmum I'm eager to know 😬🤞🏼 xx

Yes, any update OP? I've been off my pill for 3 weeks and have been getting cramps on and off for days now. Not sure if it's a side effect of stopping the pill, ovulation, implantation or AF! I don't get AF when on contraception so no idea where I am in my cycle. Every morning I wake up expecting to find AF but so far nothing.

@KatnissK first month I came off the pill I was having awful cramps cd19-23 was convinced It was implantation and it wasn't as AF arrived on cd31. Its very confusing but try not to overanalyse until after your first proper period - easily said than done as I've been terrible for symptom spotting 😬

Ah thanks @FlorenceO I was initially hopeful that the cramps were a good sign but the longer they go on the more I'm sure I'm in for the mother of all periods! I think ovulation/implantation cramps are quite short-lived, sadly for me.

So just to throw a spanner in the works @KatnissK I believe implantation cramps can last 1-3 days, so could be?

I'm still a resident of limbo island. Still no period, the frer test with fmu yesterday was negative, the tesco own test I did at work today (I buckled!) came out with a very faint positive... But then from googling I gather they are renowned for producing false positives, so unless a period comes I'm just going to keep testing every 48 hours I guess! I have emailed my GP to ask at what point should I request a blood test if period remains a no-show. 🤦🏻‍♀️

@FlorenceO I believe my period must have come early although I'm thinking of calling the GP given that I have unusual strong cramps and it's very heavy and fresh blood red. I have a very regular 32 day cycle, spotting started 3 days ago and today the bleeding got very heavy. Sorry if TMI. X

Sorry to hear that @frolicmum. Worth letting your GP know I think just so they can be aware incase it's something other than your period. Hope you're managing to get comfortable amidst the cramps. X

@mummabubs oh interesting! I think I'm going to see what happens between now and the weekend and maybe test on Sunday if no AF. So hard balancing my POAS addiction with not wanting to go bankrupt from buying tests all the time!

Ooh sounds fairly positive for you then...? Where did you get your frer from out of interest? I had a run-in with an Amazon frer giving me inaccurate results recently and apparently a lot of people are having trouble with them. I guess re-test in a couple of days if no AF as a faint line should be stronger then?

@KatnissK Fingers crossed for you! I laugh at myself for how I am with POAS this time. With our son I was really lucky and got pregnant the first month of trying immediately after I stopped the pill- I literally did 3 tests and all only after period was late and then spaced 48 hours apart 😂 This time... Not so much!

My FRER was from Boots, although I've got some coming from Amazon next week (with their subscribe and save offer I managed to get my first box of 2 tests for £4! but I've had to wait a while for them). I've got one of the Boots-bought frer tests left so might do that on Friday morning. As much as I can't explain where the heck my period has gone I'm half expecting to get a negative frer, meaning the tesco one was a false positive. Covid has given me enough uncertainty this year, I'd like my body to not add to that at least! 🤦🏻‍♀️

With my DS I thought my period had came early as had light bleeding for 2 days so thought I was out.

I thought I fell pregnant the next cycle but my 12 week scan showed I was further on than expected

Therefore if you have a light period about 21 days ish into your cycle it could be implantation bleeding so don't give up hope xx

@mummabubs good luck for Friday testing! Everything crossed! I have awoken to no AF, no cramps, no nothing. I probably haven't even ovulated yet and am obsessing over nothing

It's so confusing isn't it @KatnissK. I tested with fmu this morning and frer was completely negative, so I think yesterday's was definitely a false positive on the tesco own one. My logical brain says it's now looking unlikely that I'm pregnant but my period is showing no signs of appearing either! 🤦🏻‍♀️Hope you get some answers soon!! X

@mummabubs
Keep us updated!!

In typical me fashion I got a v light positive result yesterday afternoon and another one this morning, followed by cramps and a bleed 20 mins later. I'm feeling ok about it, at least now I know where I'm at and clearly if anything was developing the pregancy wouldn't have been viable so at least it happened now and not in 4 weeks time I suppose. Onwards and upwards!

@mummabubs aw I’m sorry hun.
Hope this month is yours! If it makes you feel better even though I was sure we’d done it this month I am now laying in bed with awful cramps from the mother of all periods :(
Next time eh!!

@EmmaEmma23 urgh, how rubbish for you, hope your cramps go away soon. To be honest it was so far on now that I knew any pregnancy was less likely to be viable long term but I'm finding positives - I plan to have a hefty G&T tonight and I'm also potentially going to have an important job interview in 4 weeks time so I was a bit scared at the idea of having morning sickness to deal with (I was sick virtually every day with DS so had to tell work when I was 6 weeks pregnant!) Fingers crossed next cycle brings us both more luck! X