2nd week of pregnancy: how the fetus develops and what happens in the body

Usually, the second week of pregnancy goes unnoticed for a woman. But this does not mean that at this moment nothing important happens in her body. It is at this time that the process of preparation for fertilization is completed, and the egg moves along its usual path to meet the sperm.

Signs of pregnancy at 2 weeks

When we talk about early pregnancy, there is often misunderstanding. The fact is that, according to gynecologists, the pregnancy period should be counted from the last menstrual day. That is, the obstetric second week of pregnancy is approximately the middle of the cycle, the week that precedes the moment of conception.

Around the middle of the cycle, a woman ovulates. It is at this moment that fertilization can occur. And the egg will implant in the uterine cavity only after another one or two weeks. At this time, while there is no delay in menstruation, a woman often does not even suspect that she is already pregnant. Therefore, the birth of a new life takes place in a secretive manner.

If we count the second week of pregnancy from conception, then these are exactly the days when menstruation should begin. But due to the onset of pregnancy, it naturally does not begin. Just at this moment, many women go for test for pregnancy.

We advise you to rely on the obstetric gestational age to avoid confusion. The calculations of all gynecologists are subject to these principles.

2nd week of pregnancy - what's happening

We agreed that we would count the pregnancy period according to the rules of obstetricians. Therefore, in the second week, the woman’s body continues to prepare for future fertilization. At this time, the inner layer of the uterus has already completed its renewal, and its mucous membrane is preparing to accept the embryo.

If you do an ultrasound of the ovaries at this stage, you can clearly see the main, dominant follicle. It is large in size relative to the other follicles and is located almost at the very surface of the ovary. The growth of follicles also affects the level of estrogen in a woman’s body. It gradually increases and causes the growth of the loose inner layer of the uterus. If fertilization is successful, it will become a breeding ground for the embryo.

Around the middle of the second week, ovulation occurs and the egg is released from the follicle. Some women may feel pain at this moment, but for most this process is asymptomatic.

How the fetus develops

Coming out of the ruptured follicle, the egg ends up in the abdominal cavity. From there it moves into the fallopian tube. It is here, in the fallopian tube, that it meets the sperm.

And in place of the burst follicle, a corpus luteum is formed. Its main task is to produce progesterone, which will continue to prepare the uterus to receive the embryo and will not allow other eggs to be released.

Having met the egg, the sperm destroys its upper dense shell and penetrates inside. This is how the genetic material is combined. A few minutes after the first sperm penetrates the egg, the shell of the egg is completely reconstructed and does not allow other sperm to penetrate it. Thus, fertilization itself occurs in the second week.

What to do in the 2nd week of pregnancy

If you are planning a pregnancy and are in the second week of pregnancy according to obstetric rules, then you can do an ultrasound. Of course, ultrasound will not show the embryo itself, because it simply does not exist yet. But such a diagnosis will allow you to more accurately determine the moment of ovulation. An ultrasound will show if the egg is mature and ready to leave the follicle. Such a study is usually recommended for women experiencing certain problems with conception.

If you are one of those couples who are planning to conceive their baby, then try to adhere to the following recommendations:

• Avoid sex a couple of days before ovulation. This will improve sperm quality.
• Do not use protection, because the egg may well mature earlier or later than the middle of the cycle.
• Do not get up immediately after sexual intercourse; rest for a few minutes to make it easier for sperm to fertilize.
• During these days, try to monitor your body temperature. The fact is that even its slight increase can be a consequence colds. This seemingly mild disease can seriously harm the unborn baby.

• Adhere to the principles of nutritious and healthy nutrition. Your diet should be rich in vegetables, lean meats, fruits, fatty fish and dairy products.
• Take vitamin complexes as recommended by your gynecologist.
• Don't expose your body to stress. You should experience only positive emotions.
• Do not stay near smokers and under no circumstances don't smoke yourself.
• Don't drink alcohol.
• Do not overexert your body and never lift anything heavy.

Regardless of the method for determining the duration of pregnancy, treat your body with care and attention. Very soon a completely different period will come for you, full of joyful anticipation.