Introduction:

Pregnancy is typically divided into three trimesters, each lasting around three months. During the first trimester, which is typically the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the first 4 weeks are usually the most confusing weeks of the whole 40 weeks pregnancy journey. Are you wondering why? If yes, then you have landed at the right place to get your answers. Pregnancy is a very beautiful as well as thrilling journey in a woman’s life. It brings so many emotions, fears, experiences, and changes with it. When we talk about week 2 of pregnancy, we know that we are in the very early stages of pregnancy. Not every woman might be expecting to get pregnant but get a surprise after 2 more weeks when she misses her period.

Let’s have a look at week 2 of pregnancy in detail. What are the symptoms, checklist, and expectations you should have from 2nd week of pregnancy?

Have you ovulated?

2^nd week of pregnancy is most probably the time when your body prepares itself for ovulation. Ovulation is the process when one of your ovaries releases a mature egg as it does in every menstrual cycle. The egg released from the ovary travels to the fallopian tube where the sperms reach swimming through the uterus to meet the egg. Out of hundreds of sperm, the strongest one wins the race and meets the egg, marking the process of fertilization. If fertilization happens, they travel down to the uterus through the fallopian tube and prepare themself for implantation. This whole process can happen anytime during the whole menstrual cycle but most votes go in the favor of 2^nd and 3^rd week after your last period.

The next process after fertilization is implantation where the fertilized egg implants in the uterus and the baby’s basic structure and organ systems begin to develop. At this stage, the baby is called an embryo. This process of fertilization followed by implantation is the two most important stages of the whole journey of pregnancy. These two stages if happened successfully are the first step towards a long journey of 40 weeks.

Now as we know that ovulation and fertilization have most probably happened inside your body but you can’t see or experience this process physically. Are there any other symptoms that you can observe in week 2 of pregnancy? Let’s have a look at them.

Symptoms of week 2 of pregnancy:

At pregnancy week 2, it is still very early in the pregnancy, and many women may not yet experience any symptoms. Some women may experience some mild cramping or spotting, which can be a sign of implantation, but this is not always the case. Some other possible symptoms at this stage of pregnancy can be:

• Breast tenderness
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Mood swings
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Food aversions
• Increased sense of smell
• Increased urge to pee
• Mild cramping or spotting
• Abdominal pain
• Increased sex drive

Always remember that some women may experience all of these symptoms whereas some may not feel anyone of them. Every woman’s body and every pregnancy are different. The only way you can be sure if you are pregnant or not is to check it through a pregnancy test.

Pregnancy tests:

Too early to take a pregnancy test? Yeah, you might be thinking right but there is no harm in getting yourself checked. You may get to confirm if you are pregnant or not. And even if you don’t you can check it later on. Which pregnancy tests can you do at this stage to be sure of your pregnancy? Have a look at the list.

Strip test

A pregnancy strip test is the most basic and easy-to-perform test that you can use to check if you are pregnant or not. Pregnancy strips are easily available at drug stores. They check the level of HCG in your urine and change the color if HCG levels are high indicating a positive pregnancy test.

HCG Test

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) hormone is called the pregnancy hormone. You can get your blood levels checked for HCG hormone. If your blood has a high HCG level, it means you are going to have a baby.

Ultrasound

Another way to check if you are pregnant or not is to get an ultrasound done by your general physician. But, usually in the very early stages, ultrasound is not recommended. You should get your ultrasound done after you miss your period and you are already in your week 6 or 7.

Feeling frustrated after getting negative tests? No need to get disheartened. It might be the low level of pregnancy hormones. Wait until your next period’s date is due and get yourself tested again.

Even if you are not sure of your pregnancy but are expecting to get pregnant, there are certain things that you should take care of. Keep on scrolling to know the checklist for week 2 of pregnancy.

Checklist of week 2 of pregnancy:

Pregnancy is a very delicate journey in which your body goes through a lot in the whole 9 months. You need to prepare your body to embrace every change that comes it’s way. Below is the checklist for week 2 of pregnancy that you must be following:

• Take your prenatal vitamins, especially folic acid, iron, vitamin D, and calcium
• Eat healthy food i.e. fruits and vegetables. Avoid junk food as much as you can
• Quit smoking or alcohol intake
• Limit caffeine intake
• Do light exercise or walk every day to make your body strong
• Plan a visit to your gynecologist or mid-wife
• Don’t stress out yourself

Conclusion:

Week 2 of pregnancy marks a very early but equally important stage of a 40-week-long pregnancy journey. Your body prepares itself to get pregnant and there are many chances that your body has already ovulated in week 2. Even if not it is going to happen very soon in the coming days. You need to keep a keen eye on the symptoms you experience. Besides, you need to take extra care of yourself so that you can have a smooth journey of pregnancy ahead.