2 Weeks Pregnant : What to Expect
The first two weeks of pregnancy can be very exciting and yet not so exciting for a woman. During the 2nd week it can be determined accurately whether or not a pregnancy exists. Women and doctors can now start to determine the baby’s EDD (expected due date). The not so exciting part of this second week, whether or not you are expecting can be due to the fact the ever so popular pregnancy symptoms begin to kick in. Tender breasts, nausea and dizziness and drowsiness are just some of the symptoms women face at 2 weeks pregnant. As a pregnant mother, a woman should really begin to focus on changing lifestyle and dietary habits, as this second week is a crucial turning point in the baby’s development and formation.
Symptoms and Body Changes at 2 Weeks
First and foremost, say goodbye to your menstrual period for the next 9 months, you will not receive another one until the baby is born. But if you think you’re getting off easy, think again. During the second week levels are rising. Estrogen levels, body temperature levels and hormone levels are taking control. Also the uterus is increasing its level of endometrium which nourishes the baby. Women also begin to develop a strong immune system, as well as developing circular group(s) of lymphoids. Women may also begin to feel a ‘one-sided’ pain, as the ovaries are growing and ripening an egg for ovulation. The uterine line is thickening and this is when a woman is most fertile for conception.
Baby’s Development
Out of the 46 chromosomes, only two are most important; the X chromosome and the Y chromosome. These two chromosomes determine the baby’s sex. Every egg has an X chromosome; every sperm has either an X or a Y chromosome. If the sperm fertilizes the egg with an X chromosome, you’ll have a girl. If it’s a Y chromosome, you’ll have a boy. The gender is decided the moment of fertilization, however you won’t know until later weeks. So still a fetus, but called an embryo, the baby consists of 150 cells that will begin to divide up into three separate layers. Here’s a brief break down of each layer and what it transforms into:
1st Layer: The internal layer, and also known as the endoderm or endoblast, transforms into the digestive system and respiratory tract which includes certain glands like the pancreas, thyroid, liver and thymus.
2nd Layer: The middle layer, and also known as the mesoderm transforms into the baby’s bones, cartilage and circulatory system which includes important things such as the heart and blood vessels, the inner skin layer, muscles, genatalia, excretory system, loins and outer covering.
3rd Layer: The outer layer, and also known as the ectoderm or ectoblast transforms into the nervous system, the brain and epidermis, which includes the skin, nails and hair of the baby.
During this time of transformation, the embryo simply floats within the uterus, protected by secretions of the uterus lining. The size of the baby is still very, very small; being only .1 to.2mm in total size.
Pregnancy Week 2 Tips
Again, the most important thing a woman can do during this stage is to change any negative habits she may have. Quitting things such as smoking and drinking, legal drugs and illegal drugs can very well determine whether or not you will have a healthy pregnancy, healthy birth and healthy baby. Hopefully, if you’re trying to get pregnant and this is a welcomed pregnancy, you’ve already switched some of these habits and began taking prenatal vitamins, as well as increased doses of folic acid. You should be consulting with your doctor and your gynecologist about certain habits you’ve obtained, and which ones are okay to retain during the pregnancy. Next is pregnancy at 3 weeks.
