While you aren’t pregnant in the second week of your pregnancy, you will be two weeks pregnant if you conceive this week! Pregnancy dates are based on your last menstrual period, with the first week of your pregnancy being your menstruating week.
Week 2 sees your body continuing to prepare for pregnancy; your body will start to ovulate, releasing an egg ready to be fertilized.
But what else happens during week two of your pregnancy? We are here to tell you! Keep reading to see what happens during the second week of pregnancy, all the changes your body will undergo, and more!
What Is Coming Up In The Article?
- What Does It Mean To Be Two Weeks Pregnant?
- What Happens During Ovulation?
- Can You Detect Pregnancy At Week 2?
- What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 2 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Big Is A Baby At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
- Should You Get An Ultrasound At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 2 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Body Changes Should You Expect At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Should I Know About My Cycle?
- What Is The Best Way To Prepare For Pregnancy?
Key Points
- The second week of pregnancy is your ovulation period, where conception can occur
- The early pregnancy signs you could notice here are sore breasts and discharge
- The pregnancy tests might not offer an accurate reading, even after the fertilized egg implants
- The due date can be calculated from the date of your last period
- The use of prenatal vitamins, like folic acid, can be helpful here as you try to conceive
What Does It Mean To Be Two Weeks Pregnant?
You are not technically pregnant at the second week of your pregnancy, but very soon, you could be! The second week of your pregnancy is your ovulation period. Ovulation lasts between sixteen to thirty-two hours for most women and is when chances of pregnancy are at their highest.
While you are not pregnant at this stage, this week counts as your second week if you do fall pregnant. Pregnancy is measured from the date of your last period, making the week you ovulate week two.
What Happens During Ovulation?
Ovulation falls around day thirteen to fourteen of your menstrual cycle and is when your chances of pregnancy are at their highest. Ovulation will last sixteen to thirty-two hours, giving you a window of opportunity to get pregnant.
An egg is released from your ovary and travels down the fallopian tube. At this point, if a sperm reaches the egg, it can be fertilized and could become a healthy pregnancy and later a baby.
While this is your highest pregnancy chance, you are fertile in the three to five days leading up to ovulation, meaning you could get pregnant in the first week, too. You can use a period tracking app or an ovulation test to see when you are ovulating. These help you track your cycle, especially if trying to conceive.
Can You Detect Pregnancy At Week 2?
It is highly unlikely you will detect a pregnancy at week two. But there is a chance! At home tests are pretty accurate these days, measuring the human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG levels, in your body. HCG is the hormone produced during pregnancy, and if your body has produced enough by week two, it could produce a positive pregnancy test.
Say your egg was fertilized in the early days before ovulation or on ovulation day, there might be enough hCG levels for a test to be positive, but it does vary. A negative test at this stage is common and should not be a cause for concern.
You are better off waiting until you miss your next period to take a test for an accurate result. Blood tests performed by your doctor can also be administered to check the hCG levels and confirm pregnancy, but they are more reliable if you wait until your missed period.
What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Sore or tender breasts are the most common symptoms during week two of pregnancy. Women also notice cervical mucus in their vaginal discharge. This happens around ovulation and tends to be slippery, clear, and stretchy, with a similar appearance to raw egg whites. In this form, discharge at this stage is not a concern.
Is There Any Change To HCG Levels At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Your hCG levels will increase during the second week as your body prepares for a fertilised egg that could become a pregnancy.
Should I Expect Any Cramping At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Cramping is common during the second week of pregnancy. This tends to be mild cramping across the abdomen, localised to one side, or backache, and typically happens during ovulation.
Will I Experience Morning Sickness At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
You will unlikely experience morning sickness at this stage of your pregnancy.
Will My Breasts Feel Tender At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Your breasts might feel tender or sore during the second week of pregnancy.
Will I Have Any Food Cravings At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
You might have foot cravings at this point in your pregnancy. Food cravings can happen at any stage of your pregnancy.
Will I Pass Urine More Frequently At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
You might notice that you need to urinate more frequently, but this is a symptom that develops and worsens throughout your pregnancy
Will I Feel Tiredness Or Fatigue At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Tiredness or fatigue can occur during the second week of pregnancy, but this varies from woman to woman.
Will I Feel Bloated At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Bloating at this stage in pregnancy is fairly common and is experienced by many women.
Will I Get Headaches At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
There is a strong chance you will suffer from headaches during the second week of your pregnancy. Headaches are common during early pregnancy, but this subsides as your pregnancy progresses.
Will I Experience A Metallic Taste In My Mouth At Two Weeks Pregnant?
You might have a metallic taste at this point in your pregnancy. It varies from woman to woman at any point of the day, whether you are eating or not.
Will I Have A Heightened Sense Of Smell At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
A heightened sense of smell is common during your early pregnancy, including the second week. You might notice that smells are more intense or that you can smell things you have not smelled before.
Can You Experience Shortness Of Breath At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
It is unlikely that you will experience shortness of breath at this stage. Should you experience shortness of breath, contact a doctor.
Is It Normal To Get Diarrhea At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
It is normal to experience diarrhea during the early weeks of pregnancy, including week two.
Can You Get Vaginal Discharge At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, vaginal discharge is one of the most common symptoms at two weeks pregnant. The discharge will be cervical mucus and have a slippery, sticky texture, usually transparent or light white.
Most women will notice this in their underwear during ovulation.
Will I Experience Lower Back Pain At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Lower back pain usually starts around the fifth to eighth weeks of pregnancy, so you will unlikely experience back pain at this stage.
Will I Experience Mood Swings At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Mood swings usually start four weeks into pregnancy, so you are unlikely to experience them now.
Is Spotting Normal At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, spotting is expected at this stage. You might notice some light spotting or bleeding, which is not usually a cause for concern.
What Other Symptoms Are Common When 2 Weeks Pregnant?
You might also experience the following early pregnancy symptoms. Remember that symptoms and their severity vary from woman to woman throughout their pregnancy.
- Increased sex drive
- Changes to your cervix
- Increased basal body temperature
How Big Is A Baby At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
At two weeks, you are technically not pregnant, so there is no baby. But there is an egg, ready to get fertilised. Providing sperm meets a healthy egg during ovulation, you could have a positive pregnancy test and a baby growing soon.
Can You Feel The Baby At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
No, you will not feel the baby at two weeks pregnant. You might feel cramping while ovulating, which is often linked to the egg being released from your ovary.
Should You Get An Ultrasound At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
You do not need to have any ultrasound at two weeks pregnant. The main reason is that it is too soon to see anything! After ovulation and the fertilisation of an egg, there might be a chance to see the egg in the uterus, but most ultrasounds will not pick this up as it is too small.
It is better to wait for your missed period to take a pregnancy test and book your first ultrasound. Most have their first scans between eight to twelve weeks unless there is a health concern, in which case a doctor will arrange an early ultrasound.
Are There Any Other Tests Or Scans I Need To Consider At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
There are no scans that you need to consider at this stage. One test that is useful here is an ovulation test. These are similar to pregnancy tests, but they will tell you if you are ovulating rather than indicating a pregnancy.
If you are unsure where you are in your cycle, you can use these to see if you are ovulating. This can help you establish your fertility window, allowing you to try for a baby with more accuracy.
What Are Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Bleeding and cramps in your abdomen are the most common symptoms. The bleeding could be spotting, light bleeding, or heavy, with cramps similar to menstrual cramps.
You are not pregnant at this stage, so a miscarriage would be the egg not fertilising and passing, essentially your next period.
What Are The Chances Of Miscarriage At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
The chances here vary. As you are not pregnant at two weeks, instead of a miscarriage, you would have your period as usual.
How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 2 Weeks Pregnant?
To calculate your due date, you will need the date of your last menstrual period. You can use period tracking apps to keep track of this date. Once you have the date, you will count forty weeks, or 280 days forward, to give you your due date.
Due dates are based on the date of your last menstrual period, which counts as day one of your pregnancy. For those at week two, use the date your period started last week to calculate your due date.
While calculating a due date is done by doctors across the globe and gives parents a date to work towards, they aren’t always accurate, with many women giving birth before or after the due date. Take them with a pinch of salt.
What Body Changes Should You Expect At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Most women will notice cervical mucus during week two of their pregnancy as the biggest change to their bodies. The mucus will leave your body as vaginal discharge and will be white or transparent with a slippery texture, similar to raw egg whites.
Women also notice sore or tender breasts and cramping on their abdomen. The cramping can be across the abdomen or just one side.
What Is The Body Doing During This Process?
Your body is going through ovulation here. An egg will be released from your ovary and travel down the fallopian tube. The ovulation period lasts from sixteen to thirty-two hours, considered prime time for conceiving. Should a sperm meet your egg and fertilise it, you could see a positive pregnancy test soon!
Your body will also start releasing the hCG hormone used by home pregnancy tests to detect pregnancy.
What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
To maintain your health at this stage, there are a few things you can do, outlined below:
Take Vitamins
Vitamins should be taken to maintain your health and ensure your body has the nutrients it needs to kick-start a pregnancy! You can take folic acid daily to ensure your body has the right levels. 400mcg is recommended by doctors while you are trying to conceive and for the first month of pregnancy.
The dosage can then be increased, but you will want to speak to a doctor to ensure you get the correct dosage. The CDC’s article, ‘About folic acid,’ is worth looking at for women looking to conceive.
You can also take a prenatal vitamin containing folic acid.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol should be avoided throughout pregnancy and at these early stages. Women trying to conceive should avoid alcohol, too or reduce their intake.
Avoid Tobacco
Tobacco should be avoided at this stage and throughout your entire pregnancy. According to an article in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, smoking during pregnancy increases the risks of 20 health conditions for babies, including neural tube defects and other birth defects.
Its biggest risk is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), and is why mothers are encouraged to stop smoking during their pregnancy.
Enjoy A Healthy And Balanced Diet
Where possible, eat a healthy and balanced diet from this point until the end of your pregnancy. Pregnancy can take its toll on your body, so ensure you are fuelling it with the right food and nutrients. You can speak to your doctor for more guidance on this.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid At Two Weeks Pregnant?
The following foods should be avoided throughout your first trimester, including week two:
- Seafood with a high mercury content
- Raw sprouts
- Unpasteurised dairy
- Soft cheeses
- Raw or undercooked meat and eggs
- Processed meats
Are There Any Drinks I Should Avoid At Two Weeks Pregnant?
All alcoholic drinks should be avoided, and you should limit your caffeine intake.
Are There Any Supplements I Should Avoid At Two Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid any supplements that are not appropriate for pregnancy. The label will usually tell you whether you can take them if you are pregnant or not. You should also avoid any supplements that your doctor does not approve.
Can I Exercise While 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you can continue to exercise as normal at two weeks pregnant.
Is It Safe To Travel When 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, it is safe to travel at two weeks pregnant. We recommend checking if any vaccinations are needed before travelling to another country and to see if there are any advisories or precautions for pregnant women.
Are There Any Activities I Should Avoid At Two Weeks Pregnant?
The following activities should be avoided during your second week of pregnancy.
- Hot tubs
- Saunas
- Steam rooms
- Whirlpools
- Massage
- Acupuncture
Is It Safe To Have Sex When 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, it is safe to have sex at two weeks pregnant. Remember, this is your ovulation week, so if you want to get pregnant, sex at this point is encouraged!
How Should I Sleep At 2 Weeks Pregnant?
You should not notice any changes to your sleep at two weeks pregnant.
What Position Is It Safe To Sleep In When 2 Weeks Pregnant?
Any position is safe to sleep in at two weeks pregnant, but you can use this and the early weeks of pregnancy to get into a comfortable position on your side.
What Should I Know About My Cycle?
Your menstrual cycle lasts for 28 to 29 days on average. The time does vary from woman to woman, so don’t panic if your is different. The menstrual cycle prepares your body for pregnancy. Should pregnancy not occur, your body will shed its uterus lining, giving you a period. However, if a pregnancy occurs, you will miss your period, usually the first sign for women that they could be pregnant.
The menstrual cycle is broken into four phases: menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal. We have more information on each of them below. Women might also notice cramping, headaches, backaches, nausea, and tiredness during their period.
The severity of these symptoms varies from woman to woman, with some needing pain relief to alleviate symptoms and others needing long-term treatments from their doctor.
Menstruation
Day one of your period is day one of your cycle. It is when all uterine lining sheds from your body. This blood comprises your lining, some cells, and mucus. Bleeding can last three to seven days, varying from woman to woman.
Follicular
The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period and lasts roughly 13 to 14 days. The pituitary gland in your brain releases a follicle-stimulating hormone, which will stimulate follicles on your ovary’s surface.
Usually, one follicle will mature into an egg on day 10 of your cycle, but this number can vary. Your uterine lining will thicken here as your body prepares for pregnancy.
Ovulation
Ovulation is where we are during week two of pregnancy! The mature egg is released from your ovary and heads down the fallopian tube towards your uterus.
Ovulation tends to happen two weeks before your next period and can last up to thirty-two hours. This is the prime time to get a fertilized egg! Women are most fertile in the three to five days leading up to and the day of ovulation.
Once the egg is released, it can survive for twenty-four hours. The sperm needs to reach the egg before it dies to fertilise it for a chance of pregnancy.
Luteal
The cycle comes to an end in the luteal phase, which happens after ovulation. The corpus luteum, cells in the ovary, release progesterone and oestrogen. These thicken your uterine lining further, preparing it for pregnancy.
A fertilised egg must leave the fallopian tubes and enter the uterus, attaching itself to the lining. Should this not happen, the corpus luteum dies, progesterone levels drop, and the lining sheds, starting the cycle again.
However, progesterone will continue to be produced should an egg implant in the lining, and the lining will not shed. It. is here that you can take a home pregnancy test to see if you are pregnant or not.
What Is The Best Way To Prepare For Pregnancy?
There are several ways you can prepare for pregnancy; let’s look at them now.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins can be taken while you try to conceive. Look for vitamins offering calcium, iron, and folic acid. These will provide your body with the nutrients it needs and can help support a baby’s development and growth.
Most pharmacies and wellness stores sell these vitamins, or you can speak to a healthcare provider should you need further assistance.
Enjoy A Healthy Diet
Try to eat a healthy diet as possible. You want your body to be fuelled by the right vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy throughout pregnancy. Ensure that your diet is healthy, varied, and balanced.
Keep Stress Levels Low
Stress is never good, especially if you are trying to conceive! Look at your life and pinpoint any major causes of stress. Consider how you can reduce or remove these stresses from your life.
We also recommend looking at techniques or habits you can build into your day to lower your stress levels. Meditation, breathing exercises, or yoga can help reduce stress levels.
Create A Support System
A support system of people you trust will be invaluable during pregnancy and after birth. No matter how independent you are, having support is essential in pregnancy. Look to your family, friends, partner, or other expecting mums in the area.
You want emotional support, someone you can turn to when you need to vent or have some reassurance. You also want people in your support system willing to help as your pregnancy progresses and things become tricky for you to do alone.
Speak To A Doctor About Any Concerns
It would be best to speak to a doctor about any concerns about existing health conditions, genetic conditions, or anything related to pregnancy. This can be done before conceiving or in the early pregnancy weeks if you spot the early signs of pregnancy.
Allow your doctor to put any worries to bed, explain any terms you don’t understand, and recommend any tests that could be helpful. You want support from all corners during your pregnancy journey, so be sure to make use of your doctor.
Final Thoughts On Week 2 Pregnant
The second week of your pregnancy is your ovulation period, where an egg can be fertilised. Pay close attention to your tracker or use ovulation tests to find out when you are ovulating to improve your chances of conceiving. Keep an eye out for any changes your body is undergoing as it gears up for pregnancy.