Advice needed re: implantation bleeding or not!

[Diamondsamdrubies]

Posted this on the conception board, but thought I'd come to the expert graduates for accurate answer:
Regular 28 day cycle forever... However spotting today on cd 23. Ovulated earlier than normal too this cycle. Smiley face on opk on cd 11 rather than normal cd 14. Is this my period- earlier than normal by 5 days? Or is it...could it be... Implantation bleeding?
If I ovulated earlier does that mean period arrives earlier too? Or does that remain the same?
TIA x

It could be implantation bleeding.
It could be your period arriving earlier.

The logic, as I understand it, is that the luteal phase of your monthly cycle (that part between ovulation and menstruation) tends to be much more consistent in length - so if you ovulated earlier then you would expect your period to come earlier as well. +ve OPK 3 days earlier than usual would suggest you may well have ovulated 3 days early - but you may not have done. (OPK's don't indicate ovulation in and of themselves, just the change in hormones that usually occur shortly before ovulation happens. Women usually ovulate within a few hours of a +OPK, but it can be longer, and +ve OPK doesn't mean ovulation has happened. Were you using any other type of fertility monitoring to show ovulation?)

I think all that can be said at the moment is that your cycle this month has been slightly different to normal in terms of hormones and, like any other month whilst trying, you may or may not have conceived - but until you get a BFP there's just no way of telling.

Fingers crossed for you, though :)

Ok so if you usually O on cd14 and af arrives cd28 then your luteal phase is a constant 14 days.

If you O'd on cd11, then you would expect your period 14 days later ie cd24.

If you usually spot the day before your period, it could be af. If you usually don't, it could still be af... but there is also hope it could be implantation.

Your period is due tomorrow though if you did indeed O on cd11.

IF it is imlantation you may be able to get a positive on a sensitive test as early as tomorrow depending how quickly your body produces hcg/metabolises it into your urine. Generally speaking though, most women will get a positive 2 or 3 days after implantation.

If af doesn't arrive tomorrow then things are looking good for you! Lots of luck

D'oh, 11+14 isn't 24... Af due cd25

Hi diamonds I too am a regular 28 day girl - and ovulated on CD12 rather than CD14 as I thought (OPK was pos CD12 and then temps went up). In previous cycles I got quite a lot of spotting the week before my period was due and only ever got negative HPTs. This time around I had minute spotting (one wipe only) CD17 and CD21... this was implantation spotting and got my first (very faint) BFP 2 days later. My chart is here if you want to take a peek. I didn't get a strong BFP till about 5-6 days later though.

Fingers crossed for you! x

Tangle, Amanda and katee: many thanks for your wise words. Fingers tightly crossed then. Had a watery, brown discharge earlier, nothing since. Don't normally spot before period. Just have to sit tight I guess?! Please keep sending positive vibes my way please. Been ttc for what seems an eternity now: no dc yet! Period due on Monday: is that the best day to test then: for accurate answer? xxxxxxx

It really is up to you, I had some 10miu cheapies from ebay and tested positive on CD23 (though I sort of wish I hadn't cos the first trimester is a bit like an extended 2ww...) it was a really really faint line though (eye of faith job) and gradually got stronger.

I certainly wouldn't use a clearblue digital for a while, they aren't very sensitive. A lot of people swear by first response to give an answer before period due, but don't hold much store about the 6 days before, the percentage of accuracy goes right down.

Sorry for rambling if you can hang on til Monday, hang on! If you test before then and get BFN try again in the next couple of days

Positive vibes heading your way

Thankyou katee: will try to wait until Monday! If period arrives before then, I'll have got my answer- seriously wishing not to see it though ! x

By Monday, you'll technically be three days 'late' if you did indeed O early

I also had 10miu cheapies and was getting 'not there' shadows from 8 days past O that I figured could have been evaps (even though they appeared in the time frame and I'd never had them before!) by 10 days past O the line was super faint, so I cracked open a first response early result whcih also showed a super faint line... the next day, the line was very clear indeed.

I started spotting 6 days past O, and didn't get a 'proper' faint line until four days later - but I've read that implantation can take up to four days to complete and the spotting can occur on any (and more) of those days. (if you wanna peek at my chart the link is here: DC4 begins! )

If I were you, I'd already be testing but I'm an addict! Do use your first morning urine sample at this early juncture, too.

Lots of positive vibes for you - it sounds promising if you usually do not spot

Congratulations Manda! I will hold out until Monday- just to be on the safe side! Will have a peep at charts when I get home on pc. Thanks for all your support. :-) x

Quick update girls! Thank you for your kind support and words- tested at 6.15 this morning... BFP! Still in shock! Major period cramps over the last few days are scaring me. Keep me in your thoughts. x

Diamonds congrats! I got a positive yesterday morning and have had cramping as well. I think it's normal though so try not to panic.:)

Yay congrats to diamonds and to folicacid and virtual

Folicacid: congratulations! Thanks for the reassurance. Katie: thanks Hun!X:-)