- 2nd week of pregnancy - what happens in the second week of pregnancy
- Your body in the 2nd week of pregnancy
- What are the signs and symptoms in the second week of pregnancy?
- How you can prepare your body for pregnancy
- Getting pregnant - when is the right time for sexual intercourse?
- How can the fertile days be determined?
- A relaxed approach to the desire to have children
2nd week of pregnancy - what happens in the second week of pregnancy
As in the 1st week of pregnancy, you are not actually pregnant in the 2nd week of pregnancy, as ovulation has not yet taken place. Nevertheless, this is an important phase in a woman's cycle. The fertile period begins, your ovaries are working at full speed and your body is preparing for a possible fertilisation. In this part of our pregnancy calendar, you will find out what happens in week 2 of pregnancy, what you should look out for and what you can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Your body in the 2nd week of pregnancy
Development of the uterine lining and growth of the follicles
You had your period in the first week of pregnancy. The upper layer of the old uterine lining was removed and a new lining began to form. This continues to build up and will have a thickness of around 6 to 10 mm by the time fertilisation takes place. It will also be well supplied with blood and rich in nutrients. This creates ideal conditions for the implantation of a fertilised egg.
At the same time, during this 2nd week of pregnancy, the follicles (ovarian follicles) with the eggs in them continue to mature in your ovaries. As a rule, one of the follicles forms as the dominant follicle around the 5th to 7th day of the cycle. It will be the only one to fully mature, grow to around 2 cm in size and finally release the egg during ovulation. The maturation of the follicle is stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The growing follicles produce oestrogen, which in turn stimulates the growth of the uterine lining.
Ovulation occurs in the second week of pregnancy
It is a marvellous interplay of different organs and hormones, which finally culminates in ovulation towards the end of the second week of pregnancy. This is triggered by the luteinising hormone (LH). The mature follicle bursts and releases the tiny egg cell. Ovulation occurs within the ovary. From there, the egg is passed into the fallopian tube funnel and makes its way through the fallopian tube towards the uterus. Thousands of tiny cilia guide it there. You are now in your fertile period and if you have unprotected sexual intercourse in the days around ovulation, your chances of getting pregnant are good.
Practical help for you:
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The mucus plug at the cervix liquefies
Something else changes in your body in this second week of pregnancy: on most days of your cycle, your cervix is closed by a thick plug of mucus. This is to prevent bacteria and other germs from entering the cervix. Due to the increased release of oestrogen during the second week of your cycle, this plug becomes increasingly fluid and thus permeable to sperm on the days surrounding ovulation. Not only do they have free rein on your fertile days, the liquefied cervical mucus also offers them ideal conditions so that they can remain viable for several days.
What signs and complaints are there in the second week of pregnancy
Most women feel very well in this second week of their cycle. The menstrual bleeding with its associated discomfort is over and any PMS symptoms are still a long way off.
Do you sometimes feel a slight pulling sensation in your lower abdomen in the middle of your cycle? This could be the so-called Mittelschmerz. The exact causes of this pain are not yet known, but it appears to be related to ovulation. It may be triggered by the pressure that occurs when the follicle bursts. The description of mittelschmerz varies greatly from woman to woman. While some only feel it as a diffuse pulling sensation, for others it is characterised by severe, cramp-like pain. The sensations also vary in duration, from a few seconds to two days.
Does the mittelschmerz now indicate your fertile days? Unfortunately, it cannot be directly equated with the time of ovulation, but can also occur a few days earlier or later. However, it does provide a rough indication. You've never felt the mittelschmerz? Don't worry, many women feel this way and you are still very likely to ovulate regularly.
Do you and your partner want to start your own family and are you ready for a baby? Then the end of the second week of your cycle is the perfect time to get intimate. Mother Nature knows this too and has made provisions: many women have a particularly strong desire for sex in the days around ovulation. This increased libido is partly due to the high oestrogen levels.
How you can prepare your body for pregnancy
Although you are not yet pregnant in the 2nd week of pregnancy, there are a few things you can do to favour implantation and prepare yourself as well as possible for the pregnancy adventure.
– Eat a healthy dietA healthy and varied diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and wholemeal products, Fish and pulses is ideal for providing your body with valuable vitamins and minerals.
– Avoid nicotine and alcohol: Even in the weeks before pregnancy, the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes can be potentially harmful for your future baby. In addition, the fertility of both men and women is impaired by alcohol and nicotine.
– Start with the intake of Folic acidThis vitamin is important for the development of your baby's nervous system. It is recommended that you start taking 400 micrograms of folic acid per day before you become pregnant.
– Check your vaccination statusRubella, chickenpox, measles - there are some diseases that can be dangerous for your unborn baby. Protect it by getting the necessary vaccinations in good time. Remember that live vaccines should be administered at least four weeks before a possible pregnancy.
– Make an appointment with the dentist: Have your teeth checked before pregnancy and get any upcoming treatments done before you have a baby in your belly. Pregnant women should only be x-rayed in emergencies. Another good idea is to have your teeth professionally cleaned. This will reduce the risk of periodontitis.
Getting pregnant - when is the right time for sexual intercourse?
The hot phase begins: With a regular cycle of around 28 days, ovulation takes place towards the end of the second week. If you want to get pregnant, you can now become active with your partner. But when is the best time for sexual intercourse? On which days are you fertile?
Pregnancy can occur when an egg capable of fertilisation and a sperm capable of fertilisation meet. This is only possible on a few days within the cycle. After ovulation, the egg is capable of fertilisation for around 24 hours. That seems like a pretty small window of time, doesn't it? Fortunately, the sperm can survive in the woman's body for some time. In good conditions, this is two to five, rarely even seven days. If you want to have a child, the day of ovulation and the two (up to a maximum of five) days before are considered the best time for sexual intercourse.
How can the fertile days be determined?
As already mentioned, in a regular cycle of 28 days, ovulation takes place around day 14. However, both the time of ovulation and the duration of the cycle can vary greatly. Cycle lengths of 23 to 35 days are considered normal. So how can you find out exactly when your fertile days are? The following methods will help you:
Calendar method
With this method, the estimated time of ovulation is calculated based on the length of the cycle. The menstrual cycle can be divided into two phases. Cycle phase 1 lasts from the first day of the cycle until ovulation. The length of this phase varies greatly from woman to woman. The second cycle phase (from ovulation to the last day before the onset of menstruation) lasts 10 to 14 days for most women. So if you now know how long your cycles usually are, you can assume that ovulation takes place around 10 to 14 days before the onset of menstruation. For example: If your cycle is usually 32 days long, ovulation will probably take place between cycle day 18 and 22. If, on the other hand, you have short cycles of around 25 days, ovulation is likely to occur between cycle day 11 and 15.
Measure temperature
In the second half of the cycle, most women's body temperature (basal body temperature) rises slightly. This rise has hormonal causes and is due to the progesterone produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation. Studies have shown that ovulation usually takes place one to two days before the rise in temperature. By taking your body temperature every morning over several cycles, you can find out your fertile days. It is important to always take your temperature at the same time, preferably in bed before getting up.
Observe cervical mucus
The amount and consistency of the cervical mucus produced by the glands on the cervix changes over the course of the cycle. Very little mucus is secreted immediately after the menstrual period. The amount then increases in the following days and the mucus becomes thick, whitish to yellowish and sticky. In the fertile days around ovulation, you can perceive it as liquid, clear and spinnable. This fertile cervical mucus facilitates the movement of sperm through the cervix. You can easily examine the mucus by running your finger through the entrance to the vagina.
A relaxed approach to the desire to have children
If your cycle is around 28 days long, your fertile days begin in the 2nd week of pregnancy. If you sleep together every other day during this time, your chances of getting pregnant are generally good. Just make sure that your desire to have children does not degenerate into stress and that you have fun and enjoy the process. It is also absolutely normal if you don't get pregnant straight away in the first few cycles. Try not to put yourself under pressure and enjoy the time of wanting a child in a relaxed manner.