2nd Week Pregnancy - Symptoms, Baby

Development, Tips And Body Changes

FARIDA RIZWAN ON MARCH 28, 2016

Image: Shutterstock

Table Of Contents

1. Week 2 Of Pregnancy: Do You Have A Life Inside?

2. Fetal Development In Week 2
3. What If It Were Twins?

4.
5.
6.
7.

Body Changes You Can Expect During Week 2

Predicting Your Ovulation
Tips To Make Your Week 2 Better
Tips For The Dad-To-Be

You might not feel pregnant, but your body is producing pregnancy hormones, and
your baby is growing faster than any other period of gestation. The initial two weeks
of pregnancy is a very exciting phase for a woman, but the not-so-exciting part is
when the ever-so-popular symptoms of pregnancy begin to appear.
A pregnant mother should now start focussing on changing her dietary and lifestyle
practices as the second week is a critical turning point in the development of the baby.
How Is Your Baby At Week 2?

Your micro baby is as tiny as a microscopic chicken egg. The amniotic fluid is
comparable to yolk sac (egg white) and embryo to egg yolk (baby-to-be).
The amniotic fluids primary purpose is to nourish the developing baby until the
placenta is fully formed and ready.
Fetal Development At 2 Weeks Pregnancy:

Ovulation:
Once the ovulation occurs, your unfertilized egg begins its journey. After being
released by the ovary, the egg enters into one of the fallopian tubes through the uterus
and awaits fertilization.
[ Read: How To Know When You Are Ovulating? ]
Fertilization:
Around 300 sperms enter the fallopian tube, but only one can fertilize the egg. After
the sperm penetrates, it triggers an action that makes the surface impenetrable. Each
egg and sperm contain 23 chromosomes, half of which the total genetic material is
required. The egg carries X chromosome and sperm carries either X or Y

chromosome. These chromosomes combine to form a zygote and thus the fertilization
is complete.
The egg cell after 24 hours of fertilization seems purple in color. A thick yellow layer
form around it that is impenetrable.
Early Stage Following Fertilization:
The developing embryo will signal the pituitary gland in your brain that switches off
your menstrual cycle. It produces a human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) hormone
that overrides your menstrual cycle. It helps maintain progesterone levels which are
required for your pregnancy. The progesterone hormone helps embryo to survive in
the uterus and therefore for the well-being and development of your baby.
Later around 4 to 5 weeks, the embryo will produce all the hormones that are essential
to maintain its life. Though you offer the shelter and nourishment, the embryo behaves
like an independent human as far as its genes and hormones are concerned.
Cell Division (1 3 Days):
The resulting zygote takes nearly 30 hours to complete its first cell division. The
zygote i.e, 0.1 mm in diameter forms a compact ball after dividing into 16 cells. The
16 cells, known as morula (resembling a mulberry) travels to your uterus, therefore
entering into the third day. From this morula stage, the cells start specializing. It is
also the stage where the cells implant into the uterus lining.
4 Days Following Fertilization:
At this stage, fluid starts forming within the morula that creates a separate thick outer
cell layer. It encapsulates the inner cell mass, of which the inner layer is called
embryo and the outer layer, the placenta. The whole cell structure consisting of 58
cells in now known as blastocyst.
5 Days Following Fertilization:
The blastocyst spends many days within the uterus cavity before going for
implantation. The impenetrable outer surface of morula will now disappear as the

blastocyst goes for implantation.

If It Might Be Twins:

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Twins can either be identical or nonidentical, and each type conceives differently.
Non-identical twins are a result of 2 separate eggs that are fertilized by different
sperms. They might also occur as a result of IVF when the two embryos are placed in
the uterus.

Identical twins are a result of a single egg that is fertilized by a single sperm and
divides into two embryos. The embryo splits at any stage up to 9 days after
fertilization. If the zygote splits within first three days (i.e., you are 2 weeks and 3
days); two separate amniotic sacs and placentas form. If it splits within 4 to 9 days
(i.e, at blastocyst stage), there forms separate amniotic sacs that share one placenta.
When the split happens after 9 days, the fetuses share both amniotic sac and placenta.
[ Read: When Is The Best Time To Get Pregnant? ]
Non-identical twins that come from two separate fertilized eggs depend on the family
history. It is believed that twins skip a generation, which is not at all true. And the
chances of having twins is slightly higher if you have a close relative who had twins.
The blastocyst prepares itself to embed in the uterus lining. It usually implants around
seven days after fertilization and, therefore, pregnancy establishes completely.
Changes Occurring Within Your Body At 2 Weeks Pregnancy:

Your last menstrual period started about 2 weeks ago, and you are now ovulating or
you would soon. If you have succeeded in conceiving, it could be two or more weeks
you will get a positive pregnancy test result.
Babies are usually born around 38 weeks after fertilization. But, as it is difficult to
know when the fertilization has taken place, you should calculate your due date by
counting 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. This is an average
length of the cycle, and some women have shorter or longer).
Timing is critical for the conception to happen. You should try to aim at sex around 72
hours before you ovulate or 24 hours after. Like doing so, you are trying to
accommodate both sperm, that survives for 3 days and ovum that lives no more than
24 hours after ovulation.
Before you even make sex, you need to calculate the time frame of your ovulation.
You can also get awareness on what sexual positions can help your conceive. Many
couples need more than a few tries.
Methods That Predict Ovulation:

There are quite a few methods that help to predict your ovulation. If you look for
ovulation signs, you can thus predict a fertility window that will help you in
determining when you can have the intercourse.
Track Your Period:
A typical menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days. Some women may not have the same
period cycle and may differ from month to month. Track your menstrual period for
consecutive months so that you will know the actual pattern of your cycle. You can
either mark your period days once a month or try using a fertility app. This helps you
to calculate your ovulation time based on the average menstrual cycle.
[ Read: Can You Ovulate More Than Once Per Month ]
Basal Body Temperature:
During ovulation, your bodys basal temperature changes. There are chances for you
to become pregnant 2 to 3 days before the temperature rise. You can record your
temperature every day at around same time everyday. You should take the temperature
when you get up from the sleep. By recording every day, you will understand the
pattern and accordingly you can have intercourse before the temperature rises.
Vaginal Discharge:
When you ovulate, the vaginal discharge will change its consistency and texture. It
becomes slippery and clear. After ovulation, the consistency turns thick and cloudy
and then disappears.
[ Read: Cervical Mucus And Ovulation ]
Ovulation Test:
Another way of determining ovulation is through test kit. These test kits use a urine
sample to detect the hormones that can predict ovulation. You should follow the right
instructions to get accurate results.
Tips For A Better Week 2 Pregnancy:

Image: Shutterstock

The main thing you need to do this week is to quit any harmful habits.

Stop bad habits like smoking, drinking, and drugs as it is

essential to a healthy pregnancy, healthy baby and active labor.
Eat a well-balanced diet and manage your weight.
Reduce stress and engage in physical activities
Consult your healthcare provider if you are already taking any
medications and also find which habits are good to retain during
pregnancy.
You should take a daily multivitamin that contains 400
micrograms of folic acid as it prevents birth defects in your baby.

Tips For Dad-To-Be:

Your partner may feel he has no role in pregnancy at this time,

but his health and lifestyle affects the future baby.

He needs to check his nutrition habits, medications, and habits

like smoking, alcohol or drug intake

They can also take prenatal vitamins before conception with

doctors approval.
We hope you now have a good insight about pregnancy at 2 weeks. Even if your baby
has not made an appearance yet, the end of the gestational week 2 is a crucial time in
the life of your baby. So when you are 2 weeks pregnant, eat right, keep safe, and we
wish you all the best!