What Signs and Symptoms Will I Experience During my Second Week of Pregnancy?
Although some women may not notice many symptoms at two weeks pregnant, you, on-the-other-hand, may be so in tune with your body that you notice differences as early in your pregnancy. According to Dr. Kara Nakisbendi, a board-certified gynecologist and obstetrician, not all women experience symptoms at two weeks pregnant, but you may be able to detect any early pregnancy just from the symptoms you are experiencing. Knowing the various early pregnancy symptoms can help determine if you are indeed two weeks pregnant (Harris, 2009).
During the 2nd week of pregnancy you may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Missed Period
One of your first signs that you are two week pregnant may be a missed period. When you have conceived, you will more than likely miss your next menstrual period. It is important to note that it is possible to “bleed” when it is time to have your next period, but the “bleeding” is lighter in color, intensity and frequency then you normal menstrual bleeding and typically indicates implantation.
- Spotting
You may also experience spotting during your second week of pregnancy. Spotting, also known as implantation bleeding can occur when the fertilized egg implants into your uterine lining. Although some women confuse spotting for their menstrual period, this type of “bleeding” is not a true period, rather, light bleeding that occurs as the fertilized eggs burrows deep inside the lining of your uterus. Spotting is sometimes accompanied by cramps and gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, diarrhea and/or upset stomach).
- Fatigue
During the first couple of weeks of pregnancy you may experience fatigue. You may notice that you are extremely worn out after a long day and/or you may still be sleepy after getting a full night’s rest. Pregnancy fatigue occurs as your body’s pregnancy hormones (HCG) double every 24-48 hours.
- Cravings & Aversions
During the early weeks of pregnancy, you may experience a variety of hormone-related changes. Some of these changes may involve food cravings and/or aversions. The rapid influx of pregnancy hormones may cause you to crave foods you used to hate or shun foods you used to love. Moreover, foods with strong flavors may make you nauseous. Cravings and aversions may begin right after conception (around two weeks pregnant) and continue throughout the pregnancy.
- Nausea
If you feel queasy during the second week of your pregnancy, don’t worry; this is a common side effect. You may experience this symptom within the first two weeks of your pregnancy or you may not experience it until your 6th to 8th week of pregnancy. Nausea typically intensifies as you get further along in your pregnancy, reaching the climax during the 1st trimester. You may experience nausea in response to a food or smell or it may arise without provocation.
- Frequent Urination
Another early symptom that may arise around the second week of pregnancy is frequent urination. This symptom is not only common it tends to worsen throughout your pregnancy. Frequent urination initially occurs in response to your increasing pregnancy hormones and growing uterus, but as the pregnancy progresses this symptom occurs in response to your growing baby pressing against your bladder.
Everything You Want To Know About Your Second Week of Pregnancy
As early as two weeks pregnant, you may begin to experience early pregnancy symptoms. In fact, you may even get a positive on an early pregnancy test. During the second week of pregnancy (two weeks past ovulation and conception) your fertilized egg becomes an embryo, measuring approximately 0.04 to 0.06 inches in length.
It is important to know what to expect during your second week of pregnancy so that you can make sure that you have a healthy and uneventful pregnancy and delivery. If you are wondering what happens during the second week of pregnancy, you have come to the right place. This article will explain to you everything you need to know about the second week of pregnancy.
The following information can help you know what to expect during your 2nd week of pregnancy:
- Pre-conception (two weeks before conception)
During the pre-conception (two weeks before conception) period, your body prepares to release an egg. Two things can happen during the pre-conception time period – your egg is fertilized by your partner’s sperm or your egg is not fertilized and you start your monthly menstrual period.
Once your ovary releases the egg for fertilization, it travels through a fallopian tube where it meets the sperm. The sperm penetrates the egg and conception occurs. This happens during your ovulatory period (10-14 days from the 1st day of your menstrual cycle). You have a 20% chance of conceiving each monthly cycle (Murkoff & Mazel, 2008).
- Post-Conception (two weeks after conception)
After your partner’s sperm has fertilized your egg, you are officially pregnant. You will more than likely miss your next menstrual period. According to the Mayo Clinic (2013), over the next two weeks, you may begin to experience the following symptoms: fatigue, nausea, frequent urination, breast tenderness, a metallic taste in your mouth, an elevated body basal temperature, migraines/headaches, backaches, muscle aches, mood swings, spotting, light bleeding, cramps, diarrhea, constipation and/or insomnia.
You may experience cramping when your fertilized egg implants into the lining of your uterus and you may experience frequent urination and migraines/headaches as your pregnancy hormones double every 24 – 48 hours (Mayo Clinic, 2013). Although most of your pregnancy symptoms will more than likely appear closer to the end of your second week, everyone is different so you may experience them earlier then this timeframe.
- Baby’s Development (when you are 2 weeks pregnant)
During your first couple of weeks of pregnancy, the gender of your baby is determined, but you will not find out for several more weeks (14 to 16 weeks to be specific) whether you are having a baby girl or baby boy. You obstetrician calculates your pregnancy due date from the 1st day of your last menstrual period. Conception typically occurs approximately two weeks after the 1st day of your period (ovulation). When a sperm penetrates your egg, fertilization occurs.
Your fertilized egg is referred to as a zygote. Your zygote travels down one of your fallopian tubes to your uterus, where it divides multiple times. As the cells divide and multiply, your zygote (fertilized egg) implants in your uterine lining. Once implanted in your uterine lining, your zygote becomes a blastocyst (a ball of cells). The inside part of the cells becomes an embryo while a cavity within the blastocyst helps form the amniotic sac. The outer part of the cells forms the placenta (a tube that transports nutrients and blood from you to your growing baby).