Written by: Dr. Amy Beckley, PhD, Founder and Inventor of the Proov test — the first and only FDA-cleared test to check for successful ovulation at home.
Written on: 2/21/22
Updated on: 6.7.22
Implantation refers to when an embryo actually meets mama.
If you’re trying to conceive, you may be familiar with the term, “implantation.” If you’re not, allow us to introduce you since this is one you definitely want to know!
Implantation refers to when an embryo actually meets mama, meaning when it attaches itself to the uterus where it will spend the rest of pregnancy. But why is it important and how long after ovulation does implantation occur? Keep reading to find out!
When does ovulation occur?
Ovulation refers to the event during your cycle in which the ovary releases an egg. While many of us are taught that ovulation occurs on cycle day 14 (with cycle day 1 being the first day of your period), this may not necessarily be true.
Ovulation should occur about halfway through your cycle. For those with exact 28-day cycles, ovulation should occur roughly on cycle day 14 — which is what you may have been taught in sex ed classes.
However, studies show that normal cycles can last anywhere from 21 to 35 days. Depending on if your cycle is slightly longer or shorter than 28 days, you may ovulate before or after cycle day 14 — which is totally normal!
How long after ovulation does implantation occur?
The “implantation window” refers to the period of time during your cycle when your body is actually prepared to receive an embryo. It only lasts a few days and occurs after ovulation and fertilization (i.e. egg meeting sperm).
How long after ovulation is implantation? Studies show implantation after ovulation can occur anywhere from 6 to 12 days after ovulation. More commonly, implantation typically occurs on days 8, 9, or 10 past ovulation.
By now you may be wondering, Okay, but why is implantation so important? We’re so glad you asked! Let’s dive in.
More commonly, implantation typically occurs on days 8, 9, or 10 past ovulation.
Why is implantation important?
Implantation is the final step on the path to pregnancy. After egg and sperm meet earlier in the cycle, the newly formed embryo travels down to the uterus to find the place it’ll call home for the next 9 months. Successful implantation must occur in order to have a successful pregnancy.
In fact, recent studies have shown that about 1 in 3 miscarriages are caused by failed implantation, meaning the embryo attaches itself to the uterus but for some reason it detaches. Supporting implantation can help increase the chances of successful pregnancy.
How do I know if implantation occurred?
As you may have guessed, if implantation successfully occurred, then a few days later you should receive a positive pregnancy test!
However, it can take a few days after implantation for hCG (the hormone only produced when you're pregnant) to show up in your urine. That's why most home pregnancy tests recommend waiting until after a missed period to test for pregnancy — which can be about 2 weeks after a positive ovulation test.
We know how long this wait can feel, which is why we're excited to introduce our new early pregnancy test: Proov Check! With Proov Check, you can test for pregnancy up to 5 days before an expected period, so you can know sooner.
How do I support implantation?
Let’s back it up and talk about the science behind implantation. After ovulation occurs, the ovary begins producing the hormone progesterone during the second half of the cycle.
Among other things, progesterone’s main job is to prepare the uterus for implantation and pregnancy. It does this by stabilizing the uterine lining and ensuring it’s “sticky” enough to make it easy for a newly formed embryo to, well, stick.
Specifically, progesterone needs to be produced to an adequate level during the all-important implantation window — you’ll remember that this is the only time the uterus is actually prepared to welcome an embryo.
So, it’s no surprise that the best way to support implantation is to support healthy progesterone levels! To start, it’s important to understand where exactly your progesterone levels stand naturally. For this we recommend testing PdG — a marker of progesterone found in urine — levels with something like Proov Confirm.
Proov Confirm is the first and only FDA cleared PdG test to confirm successful ovulation at home. A “successful” ovulation occurs when ovulation happens and PdG levels remain elevated during the implantation window to allow for a higher chance at pregnancy.
The good news is that our patented Proov Confirm testing protocol will prompt you to test your PdG levels during your exact implantation window so you can get a better idea of where you stand. When used alongside the free Proov Insight app, you’ll receive an Ovulation Score that gives insight into your ovulation and the next steps you can take.
An Ovulation Score above 71 indicates successful ovulation, meaning low PdG levels are likely not a barrier to pregnancy. However, a score below a 70 could indicate you may need some additional PdG support to optimize your chances of conceiving.
But there’s no need to panic — this is great information to bring to your doctor for further testing and treatment. Or, there are plenty of ways to naturally boost PdG levels from home. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Seed cycling: Seed cycling involves eating certain seeds during certain phases of your cycle to promote overall hormone balance. Anecdotal evidence suggests seed cycling is a great method for promoting healthy hormone production.
- Diet and lifestyle changes: Our food doesn’t directly contain progesterone, but food like beans, spinach, kale, pumpkin, and others have been shown to help boost progesterone production. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping stress at bay (we know, easier said than done!) are all great ways to support a healthy hormone balance.
- Herbal supplements: Some herbal supplements, like vitex, ashwagandha, and maca, have been shown to support progesterone production. Our Luteal Love herbal blend contains all three of these supplements and can help support your body’s natural progesterone production!
Successful implantation is a key step on the journey to a successful pregnancy! Understanding when implantation occurs after ovulation and how to support it can be invaluable on your fertility journey.
