[Brittg14]

Without tmi basically my fiancé and I are trying for a baby my last period was 04/22/14 I'm a normal 28 day cycle maybe a day or 2 off at most (always on time no matter how tired or stressed I am nothing effects my cycle) I calculated my ovulation to may 06th - 08th we had our fun a few times every day. My next period was due on 05/20/14 but 5 days after I ovulated on 05/11/14 I started my "period" 9 days early but everything about it is off from color to texture? I'm normally a dark red thick almost purple like color but it was 9 days early this time as I mentioned bright right red and watery like some clots but not at all the normal for me. No stds, negative pregnancy test that I took on the 11th during the day started bleeding middle of the night on the 11th so I started the 12th. Could it be implantation. Bleeding or something else it's the 9 days early that makes me question I'm never that early a day or 2 early or late is normal for me.

[DoulaLC]

Hi Brittg12,

It's possible that it was due to pregnancy, since you have been trying, but it could just be an off cycle... even if it hasn't happened before. Are you still having discharge, or was it just the one day? Implantation spotting, or bleeding, is usually fairly minimal. Testing just a few days after you suspect ovulation would be much too soon. IF you did indeed ovulate when you suspect, and became pregnant at that time, the process of the fertilized egg traveling to the uterus and then implanting would still be taking place. Best to wait until after a missed period before any testing is done.

Cycles can sometimes be off, for no apparent reason. Spotting or bleeding can occur midcycle for various reasons as well. See what happens when you would expect your next period. In regard to getting pregnant... how long have you been trying? Keep in mind that it can sometimes take many months, even with good timing. Also, while calculating possible ovulation with counting days will give you a starting place... as many women will ovulate about 12-16 days BEFORE the next period is due, some women will naturally ovulate a bit sooner or a bit later.

A few ways of determining when you might be ovulating... and even those only let you know that your body is or has prepared for it, not that it actually has occurred: temping and charting (basal body temp)... this can take a few months to notice a pattern and takes consistency on your part. Using ovulation predictor tests... these work similar to pregnancy tests... you will get a positive reading (when the test line is as dark or darker than the control line) often a few days before ovulation may occur. These also can take a few months of use to see a pattern emerge. Also, many women will notice a change in their cervical mucus as the body prepares for ovulation. Mucus tends to become a bit more fluid and clearer... and often more abundant.

There are other means as well... some women will check the feel and position of the cervix, some women will notice slight cramping and perhaps even a bit of spotting around ovulation. Once you get to know, and pay attention to your body throughout your cycle, you will likely get a fairly good idea of when you are most likely to ovulate.

If possible, having sex every 2-3 days throughout your cycle, with perhaps a few more sessions in the days just before you suspect ovulation through a few days after, will cover your bases for timing. Try not to get discouraged if it doesn't happen quickly. You may be fortunate and become pregnant in just a few months of trying, or it may take several months longer. Most couples will become pregnant in the first year of trying, but some will take a bit longer.

[CravenMorhead]

As well you took your pregnancy test far too soon. Regardless of what the advertising say most tests test for a hormone in your urine. This hormone, HCG, usually starts ramping up during implantation and beyond through development. The tests are only sensitive enough to detect this about two weeks after a missed period. It isn't surprising that you got a negative result regardless of whether you're pregnant. I am afraid that you'll need to wait for your may period to be able to test and only if it is over two weeks late with no sign of coming.

As well there is random spotting that can occur throughout your cycle. Is it implantation bleeding, a actually really rare occurrence, or random spotting? Probably not implantation. I know how frustrating this can be and I know you're desperately searching for a answer, sign, or reason for all of your body's occurrences right now. The problem is that you're jumping on things that you would've ignore when you weren't trying to get pregnant as a sign that you are. The best you can do is wait for missed periods.

Good luck.