Week 2 of PregnancyWeek 2 of your pregnancy begins a week after the start of your last menstrual cycle. By now, your last period would have ended thereby resulting to your uterus building a new layer of endometrium caused by estrogen and progesterone to ready your body for pregnancy. This layer of endometrium will soon thicken to ensure that your uterus provides the proper cushion and comfort for your baby while he or she is inside you. Also, during this time, your body will soon enter the phase of ovulation as evidenced by one ovary growing and ripening an egg. This week is your body’s most fertile period and therefore this is the best time for you and your partner to act on your plans of having a baby since your body is about to ovulate and an egg will soon be released via the fallopian tube to meet your partner’s sperm. Though some people use the calendar method to determine their ovulation period, this does not always work especially for those with irregular menstrual cycles (menstrual cycles may range from 28 days or more). Thus, it is best to make use of ovulation test kits. These ovulation tests determine and measure the amount of luteinizing hormone which is produced by your body when ovulation is nearing. These ovulation tests may come in 2 forms: one measures the luteinizing hormone in your saliva while the other makes use of your urine. Take note that during this week, there is still no baby or fetus inside you. You haven’t even started conceiving yet but still doctors consider you pregnant. Since women find it hard to remember when they last started ovulating or when they last made love with their partners before becoming pregnant, it is easier for doctors to calculate your due date by starting from the first week of your last menstrual cycle. Though the said practice may sound weird, come to think of it, it is quite reasonable considering that your body is basically prepped up for pregnancy once you begin your menstrual cycle. Though no baby is inside you yet at this point, it is best to start eating fruits and drinking vitamin supplements rich in folic acid in order to minimize the risk of your baby having defects. Also, at this point, you should start thinking about whom to get as your OB gynecologist, midwife or health care provider. Take note that getting a good OB gynecologist, midwife or health care provider is very important considering the months of check ups, expert advice and treatments you and your baby might need. During this week, expect to experience some cramps on one side of your abdomen, a telltale sign that you are ovulating. Since you have two ovaries, the cramps will usually come from the side where the particular ovary that is currently ovulating is located. These cramps are quite common although some women do not experience these during ovulation. Also, during this time, your body will produce more cervical mucus in order to aid your partner’s sperm in meeting your egg.
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