What is implantation?
Implantation is when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. In a prospective study, it occurred 6 to 12 days after ovulation, most often on days 8 to 10.
Most people don't feel implantation happening, but knowing your implantation window can help you plan when to take a pregnancy test for the most accurate results.
How to use the implantation calculator
Using Lively's implantation calculator is simple. You'll need either:
- Your ovulation date (if you track your cycle), OR
- The first day of your last period
Enter one of these dates, and the calculator will estimate a window of when implantation might have occurred. Remember, this is an estimate, implantation timing varies based on your unique cycle and when fertilization actually happened.
How do you know if implantation was successful?
After fertilization, the developing embryo travels to the uterus. Implantation timing cannot be confirmed from symptoms or calendar dates alone.
When can you take a pregnancy test after implantation?
For the most accurate results, wait until the day your expected period is due, or even a few days after, before taking a pregnancy test.
Why wait?
Home pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone your body starts producing after implantation. However, hCG levels need time to build up to detectable levels:
Pro tip: Use Lively's pregnancy test calculator to find the optimal testing window based on your cycle.
