What do the first two weeks of pregnancy feel like

Are you pregnant this week?

It's complicated! You're not pregnant yet, but if you conceive this week, you'll be two weeks pregnant. That's because healthcare providers use your last menstrual period to determine your due date, so technically the first day of your period is also the first day of your pregnancy. Since you ovulate about two weeks into your cycle, conception happens around the time you're two weeks pregnant – which means pregnancy starts before you've conceived.

The best time to conceive

Ovulation typically happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle. You're most fertile during the three days leading up to it. Signs you may be ovulating include changes in your basal body temperature, breast tenderness, mild cramps, and increased vaginal discharge.

Detecting ovulation

Want to get pregnant faster? Ovulation test strips can help you figure out the days when sex (or insemination) is most likely to lead to pregnancy. You can buy kits online and at most drugstores and supermarkets, near the pregnancy tests.

2 weeks is how many months?

You're in your first month!

Baby development at 2 weeks

Getting ready to grow a baby

During the past few days, an increase in estrogen and progesterone prompted the lining of your uterus to thicken to support a fertilized egg. At the same time, in your ovaries, eggs have "ripened" in fluid-filled sacs called follicles.

An egg is released

Once you ovulate, an egg erupts from its follicle and is swept from your ovary into a fallopian tube. (Ovulation doesn't necessarily occur right in the middle of your cycle. For example, it could happen any time between days 9 and 21 for women with a 28-day cycle.)

Your baby at 2 weeks Tap the plus for more details

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Fertilization

The journey of the sperm

During the next 24 hours, that egg will be fertilized if one of the nearly 250 million sperm in an ejaculation manages to swim from your vagina through your cervix, up through your uterus into the fallopian tube and penetrate the egg. About 400 sperm survive the 10-hour journey to the egg, but it's usually only one that succeeds in burrowing through its outer membrane.

The genes combine

During the next 10 to 30 hours, the sperm's nucleus merges with the egg's and they combine their genetic material. If the sperm carries a Y chromosome, your baby will be a boy. If it has an X chromosome, you'll conceive a girl. The fertilized egg is called a zygote.

Implantation

The egg takes three or four days to travel from the fallopian tube to your uterus, dividing into 100 or more identical cells along the way. Once it enters the uterus, it's called a blastocyst. A day or two later, it will begin burrowing into the lush lining of your uterus, where it continues to grow and divide.

Pregnancy symptoms during week 2

Slippery cervical mucus

Cervical mucus is the vaginal discharge you sometimes find in your underwear. In the days around ovulation, it'll be clear, slippery, and stretchy (like raw egg whites).

Mild cramping

Some women notice mild cramps or twinges of pain in the abdomen, or a one-sided backache, around the time of ovulation. This is known as mittelschmerz – German for "middle pain."

Increased sex drive

Your sex drive may rev up and your body odor may be more attractive to men around the time you're fertile.

If odors are suddenly more intense, it could be your body's way of helping you home in on male pheromones. You've never been more ready to make a baby!

Tender breasts

Hormonal changes around ovulation may make your breasts feel a bit full or sore. To learn more about what to expect in the coming weeks, watch our video on how breasts change during pregnancy.

Cervical changes

During ovulation, your cervix is softer, higher, wetter, and more open. You can feel these changes if you reach inside your vagina with a finger to examine your cervix, though you may have to check it daily to recognize the differences.

A boost in your basal body temperature (BBT)

You can use a special thermometer to take your BBT every morning. On the day after you ovulate, it goes up a bit and stays elevated until your next period.

Your body at 2 weeks Tap the plus for more details

Pregnancy checklist at 2 weeks pregnant

Take your vitamins

It's not too early to take a prenatal vitamin that will provide essential nutrients for you and your baby. Make sure it contains iron, vitamin D, calcium, and folic acid to reduce your baby's risk of certain birth defects. Also be sure your partner is getting the nutrients he needs for healthy sperm.

See your healthcare provider

Have a preconception checkup to make sure your body is in the best possible shape for baby-making. For example, find out whether you should stop taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs or supplements. Also use this time to talk about any problems or concerns you may have about pregnancy or parenthood. If your provider can't help you, she can provide referrals to specialists or counselors.

Consider this blood test

You and your partner may want to get genetic carrier screening to see whether you carry genes that would put your baby at risk for serious inherited illnesses. Although many of these conditions are rare, a large study found that 24 percent of those tested were carriers for at least one genetic mutation. Talking to a genetic counselor will help you stay informed about your reproductive choices.

Have frequent sex

Have sex every other day to boost your chances of conceiving. Find out how long it usually takes to get pregnant – most couples need more than a few tries before they can announce that a baby's on the way. Don't use lubricant when you're trying to get pregnant since studies have found that it can damage sperm and inhibit the journey to the egg.

Make time for self-care

When you take care of your mental and physical well-being, you're better able to care for others. Start filling your cup now by eating foods that support pregnancy, getting good quality sleep, exercising, and managing your stress so that you'll be ready when your baby comes. Try massage, yoga, or deep breathing: Reducing your stress levels can increase your odds of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

Prepare your body for pregnancy

Taking the time to strengthen your belly and back before (or while) your body changes will benefit you throughout pregnancy and beyond. A stronger core prevents back problems as your bump grows, and even shortens your recovery time after childbirth. Check out these three exercises that target your core.

Prepare your mind for pregnancy

Learn how your mind influences your body and how you can use mind-body techniques to support your health. Practice positive self-talk, use affirmations, or download a mental health app.

Know what to avoid during pregnancy

When you're trying to conceive or newly pregnant, you'll want to steer clear of smoking, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine, as well as less obvious things. Check out our list of 10 things to avoid when you're trying to get pregnant.