Week 2 of Your Pregnancy

It's week two of your pregnancy. As was the case in week one, you still aren't technically pregnant yet. That's because your due date is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. That means that during the first two weeks of pregnancy, you haven't actually conceived yet. It's strange, but true!

Hang tight, though—there's a possibility that you will be conceiving soon. Around 14 days after your period is when you are most likely to ovulate. That means that you might even ovulate by the end of this week; if not, you will likely ovulate during week three. Week two is a good time to learn all about the signs of ovulation, and the best way to time sex to maximize the chances of conception.

Pregnancy Week 2 Quick Facts

At two weeks, you're 0 months pregnant
You have 38 weeks until your due date
You're in the first trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size at 2 Weeks

You haven't conceived yet at two weeks pregnant, but your body is making even more progress in making conception a reality.

Ovulation—the process that results in an egg being released from your ovary—is orchestrated by a cascade of hormones. FSH, or the follicle stimulating hormone, causes several follicles in your ovary to begin to mature. The luteinizing hormone (LH) helps mature the follicles, and is what signals the release of one winning egg from your ovaries each month. Estrogen aids in egg maturation and helps elicit the LH surge, and progesterone helps thicken the lining of your uterus, to prepare for a possible implantation of a fertilized egg.

There's some variation in when exactly ovulation occurs. But for most people, ovulation happens about 12 to 16 days after your period, which means that ovulation may occur at the end of the second week of pregnancy or at the beginning of the third week of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 2

You aren't experiencing pregnancy symptoms yet this week, but you might be experiencing the first signs of ovulation. The timing and intensity of ovulation symptoms vary widely from one person to another. Some people ovulate early in their cycle—about 11 or 12 days after their period starts—and some do so later, closer to 16 days. Likewise, some people have intense ovulation symptoms while others barely notice them at all.

Here are the most common signs of ovulation:

More copious cervical fluids, which may be clear and slippery
Breast tenderness
Pain in your pelvis, usually on one side
Bloating
Nausea or upset stomach
Mood changes
Increased sex drive
A slight increase in your basal body temperature (this occurs directly after ovulation, however)

An increase in vaginal discharge is probably the most noticeable symptom people experience, says Jill Purdie, M.D., OB-GYN and medical director at Northside Women's Specialists, part of Pediatrix Medical Group in Cumming, Georgia. "It is often described as having the appearance of egg whites," she describes. Another symptom you may notice is a little spotting during ovulation. "Very occasionally a person might have some light spotting at the time of ovulation, which lasts one to two days," says Dr. Purdie.

Developmental Milestones

Either this week or next, you will ovulate, and you may successfully conceive. Ovulation occurs after a surge in LH, which causes an egg to be released from your ovary. Usually, ovulation occurs about 28 to 36 hours after the LH surge. Ovulation detector kits detect the LH surge, which helps you know that ovulation will be occurring soon, so that you can time intercourse accordingly if that is how you are trying to get pregnant.

Once your egg is released, it will only live for about 24 hours. That means you have a small window of opportunity to get conception right. The good news is that sperm can live in your body for up to five days, so you don't necessarily have to have intercourse on the day you ovulate to conceive a baby.

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

You haven't officially conceived yet, so you won't be seeing a health care provider for prenatal care. But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you see your health care provider for a preconception appointment as soon as you begin considering pregnancy. Ideally, this occurs several months, even a year, before conception is desired. During this appointment, you will discuss your medical history, your lifestyle and diet, any medications you are taking, and any previous pregnancies you may have had.

Of course, other things will likely be discussed during a preconception appointment. Most providers will encourage you to start taking a prenatal vitamin now, one with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid—as folic acid helps protect your baby from neural tube defects. Dietary changes may also be discussed, as will reducing your caffiene and alcohol intake.

This preconception appointment is also a great opportunity to talk about what the signs of ovulation might look like and how to maximize the chances of achieving pregnancy during your fertile days.

Common Questions at This Pregnancy Stage

What are some signs that you aren't ovulating, and when should you seek medical attention?

Without ovulating, you can't conceive, yet many people don't know how to recognize the signs that ovulation may not be taking place. "Most people who aren't ovulating normally will have irregular menstrual cycles or sometimes months-long stretches without a normal period," explains Maggie Pham, D.O., OB-GYN at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in West Covina, California. "Besides tracking your cycles on a calendar or on a phone app, consider using over-the-counter ovulation kits to help determine if you are ovulating."

How can a person increase healthy sperm production?

Just like you are advised to adopt healthy habits to maximize your fertility, the same is true of your partner (if your partner is a sperm-producer). Smoking, drinking alcohol, and stress can decrease sperm quality and quantity, so it's best to avoid those when possible, says Dr. Pham. "If a couple has not conceived spontaneously within six months of actively trying, consider a semen analysis to check for healthy sperm count and motility," she recommends.

How can you maximize the chances of conception during your fertile period?

Shaghayegh DeNoble, M.D., OB-GYN, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon at Advanced Gynecology of North Jersey, says that in order to boost your chances of conception during the fertile period, you should time intercourse during the four to five days before ovulation and during ovulation itself. "Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for four to five days, so having sex a few days prior to ovulation allows sperm to be present in the fallopian tubes when an egg is released," she explains.

Of course, if you’re not having sex to conceive, things will be different. If you are using a sperm donor, for example, intrauterine insemination typically occurs on or near the presumed date of ovulation. In these cases, it is important that you closely track and monitor your cycle.

Things You Might Consider This Week

Jessica Lagrone, mom to three girls and certified doula and childbirth educator at Balanced Families, says that her biggest piece of advice as you start your TTC journey is to get to know your body and its ovulation signs. "I never noticed my symptoms around ovulation until I started trying to get pregnant, and this helped me learn more about my body and the way it worked," she shares. "For example, I learned that my cycles were actually shorter than average."

Lagrone used an app to track her cycle, but you can also jot down any notes about your cycle on a calendar or planner. Doing so for a few months will help you see a pattern in terms of ovulation and can help you plan intercourse. This worked well for Christine Burke, mom of two and parenting editor at Highlights for Children.

"I leaned heavily on tracking my periods for three to four months ahead of when I knew we wanted to start trying to conceive," Burke says. "Doing so helped me pinpoint the best times for us to have sex during ovulation."

Support You May Need This Week

If you are unsure about what to look for when it comes to understanding the signs of ovulation or timing intercourse accordingly if that’s the case for you, you are not alone. OB-GYNs and midwives can be a good resource for you at this time and you shouldn't hesitate to reach out to them with questions or concerns.

Mallorie Hammond, a mom from Boise, Indiana, who spent five years trying to conceive her daughter, says that as much as learning about the signs of ovulation and timing intercourse is important, the whole thing can be stressful and it can be important to make sure to breathe.

"Make sure you are tracking your ovulation however that might look for you, but also try and take all the pressure away from making sure the timing is perfect," Hammond advises. "You can only try your best and see how the journey unfolds for you."

Head over to week three of pregnancy