You have now officially entered Week 2 of your 40-weeks pregnancy journey. And, you are still not pregnant yet. Much like Week 1, your body prepares for ovulation and then follows it up with successful fertilization, resulting in a pregnancy.
Since you are likely to ovulate during the beginning of Week 2, this is most likely when the conception happens. So, literally speaking, Week 2 is the first week of pregnancy. Suppose you map your menstrual cycle and try to conceive, time your ovulation, this is when you are the most fertile and have heightened chances of a successful conception.
OBGYNs time the conception either in the later period of Week 2 or the early days of Week 3, depending on the length of the menstrual cycle in the patient.
In this Article
How to Map your Fertile Window during Week 2 – Ovulation?
Ovulation happens 13-20 days following the first day of your period. This is the fertile window when the egg is released into the fallopian tube, awaiting the sperm for fertilization.
If you are actively trying to get pregnant, timing this period is crucial. There are several ways one can predict when they are ovulating. You can either keep a manual track using the calendar, you can use the fertility applications to remind you, or you can look out for the common signs and symptoms.
Some of the common ways to track your ovulation are:
Track your menstrual period
The best way to track your period is by mapping your menstrual cycle. The 28-days cycle is normal; however, several women have more or fewer days. Ideally, if you are trying to conceive, track the menstrual cycle over a few months to get an average and determine a pattern to your cycle.
Measure basal body temperature
The basal body temperature drastically changes during ovulation. There is a special thermometer that measures the basal body temperature. You need to measure the temperature every day to develop a pattern. For better accuracy, measure the temperature at the same time every morning.
Look out for vaginal discharge
Noticing vaginal discharge during ovulation is normal. However, the texture and consistency of the white discharge will change. It becomes more transparent and clearer, signaling the body is preparing for ovulation. The texture changes to thicky and cloudy once you stop ovulating.
Take a test
If you are still confused about whether you are ovulating or not, get an at-home ovulation test. This is a urine test that detects the hormonal levels to ascertain if you are ovulating or not.
What is the status of Baby Development in Week 2?
As said, the beginning of Week 2 is likely when you aren’t pregnant yet. So, your body is preparing itself for the upcoming pregnancy.
The second week is when the uterine lining starts thickening with heightened estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. This prepares the uterus for the embryo’s implantation after the successful fertilization of the egg and sperm.
Fertilization takes place
The egg is released into the fallopian tube, awaiting the sperm for successful fertilization following ovulation. Ovulation can happen between 9-21 days in the 28-days menstrual cycle in women.
The couple should engage in sexual intercourse during the fertile window of ovulation. Following the ejaculation, the 250 million sperm in the semen make their way towards the fallopian tube to successfully fertilize the released egg.
Around 400-sperm cells make it through the 10-hours long journey. Still, only one healthy sperm successfully penetrates the egg’s cytoplasm and fertilizes the haploid egg cell into a diploid zygote, which matures to form an embryo in the latter days.
Following the fertilization, the zygote undergoes cell multiplication to form a mature embryo. The embryo then travels down the fallopian tube into the uterus, undergoing further division along the way. The embryo enters the uterus as a blastocyst and implants itself to the endometrial lining, growing further into a baby.
Pregnancy Symptoms in Week 2
The second week of the pregnancy is the peaked ovulation period. So, the symptoms will mimic what you experience during normal ovulation days in the other months. Some of the most potent symptoms include:
Change in cervical mucus
The vaginal discharge is otherwise termed as cervical mucus. It is alternatively known as white discharge. Unlike regular white discharge, which is cloudy and thick, its texture changes to slippery, thin, and transparent during ovulation.
Cramping
Not applicable for every woman, but some experience mild cramping during Week 2. It is medically termed as mittelschmerz. Besides cramping, one-sided abdominal pain is common too.
Increased libido
The heightened pheromones can change your body odor during your fertile window and make your scent more attractive to men. This is also when you will experience an increased sex drive.
Tenderness in breasts
Sudden hormonal changes, especially with estrogen and progesterone, lead to a peaked tenderness in the breasts. The hormonal changes also contribute to increased basal body temperature.
Cervical changes
The cervix undergoes a lot of changes during Week 2. Not only is the cervix a lot softer, but it is also wetter and has more flexibility and openness to it.
Tips for Managing Week 2 of Pregnancy
Week two of pregnancy is where the conception happens. So, besides actively trying to get pregnant, you also need to take care of your physical well-being and prepare your body for significant change.
Following are some of the tips to follow during Week 2:
- Take your prescribed prenatal vitamins, including folic acid, Vitamin D, calcium, etc. Not just you, your partner should be getting their vitamins and minerals during this phase to ensure healthier sperm.
- Consult your preconception appointment to ascertain your fertility rate and get a thorough check-up as you enter the fertile window and a successful conception this week.
- Get a genetic-carrier screening to test for any underlying genetic abnormalities that your future baby could inherit.
- Indulge in frequent sexual intercourse during Week 2 because that is your fertile window and when your body ovulates. A successful conception happens during the end of Week 2.
- Prepare yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally for the upcoming pregnancy journey. As your body changes while growing a baby, you need to ensure your mental well-being is on the same page in the journey.
Don’t panic if something feels off or doesn’t happen by the book. There is plenty of time and a lot of medical help around you if you need it.
