The journey to motherhood is one of the most beautiful, eye-opening, life-changing experiences women can have. 

This beautiful journey is not without its challenges, so soon-to-be moms must know what to expect over the coming months. 

In this article, we’ll cover what happens 2 weeks pregnant and how to take care of yourself on this journey to motherhood.

What happens at 2 weeks pregnant?

When counting pregnancy weeks, doctors and obstetricians count from the first day of your last menstrual period. That means the first week of pregnancy is the week of your period, and week 2 is the week after.

Why does counting begin from your last menstrual period (LMP)? 

It’s hard to determine exactly when conception happens, so it’s easier for OBs to count the 40 weeks of pregnancy from the last menstrual period.

That means that at two weeks pregnant, you may not be pregnant just yet. 

In week 2, you’ll have just finished your last period and may start ovulating over the next few days. 

Ovulation typically happens around 14 days after the LMP but can start earlier. This is when the body releases large amounts of the hormones FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), which signal the ovaries to release eggs that then travel down the fallopian tubes to be fertilized by a sperm.

If you plan to get pregnant, this is a sensitive time. You have the highest chance of conceiving during ovulation, so look out for signs of ovulation and try to have sex around this time.

2-week pregnancy symptoms

At week 2, you may not be pregnant just yet. 

Pregnancy tends to happen when you’re most fertile, around the days leading up to and during ovulation (around 14 days after LMP). 

Since pregnancy week one refers to the first day of your last menstrual period, week 2 of pregnancy (and week 3) is when you’re about to start ovulating.

Again, if you’re trying to get pregnant, week 2 is crucial. This is close to when you’re most fertile, which means having sex around this time gives you the greatest chance of conceiving.

If you experience a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation (the most fertile time) happens around day 15. However, many women don’t have the consistency of a regular 28-day cycle, so your most fertile time may be hard to count by days.

Instead, you can look for the signs of ovulation to get a better sense of your fertility window.

Signs of ovulation

What does ovulation feel like? How do we know when it’s happening? 

If you’re unsure about counting days, there are other ways to know if you’re ovulating.

Signs and symptoms vary between individuals, but there are some common signs that most of us will notice. 

One of the most noticeable signs is a shift in hormones that affects the entire body throughout ovulation. 

Don’t worry if you don’t notice these ovulation symptoms – it doesn’t mean you’re not ovulating. 

While some women notice these symptoms clearly, they are far more subtle for others and may not get noticed at all. 

The following are some common signs of ovulation that help you determine the best time to conceive.

1. Slippery cervical mucus

As you approach ovulation, your body produces more estrogen than usual. This increased hormone level makes your cervical mucus clearer, more stretchy, and slippery. 

You may notice this as a marked change from the texture of your cervical mucus outside of ovulation, at which time it tends to be thicker. 

When cervical mucus is more watery and slippery (during ovulation), it’s easier for sperm to swim to the egg that the ovaries have released.

Your body is unique to you, so the amount and texture of cervical mucus during ovulation may not be the same as that of another woman.

Still, if you want to check for ovulation without counting days, insert a clean finger into your vagina and check the mucus for stretchiness and texture. Slippery, wet, and stretchy indicates ovulation.

2. Improved sense of smell

Hormonal changes in the body affect your senses, particularly your sense of smell. 

Approaching and during ovulation, the body is primed to pick up the scent of male pheromone androstenone, but that also means that your sense of smell, in general, will likely improve during this time.

3. Tender or sore breasts

Many women experience some breast soreness or tenderness due to ovulation-associated hormones. The degree of pain or tenderness varies between women; some experience this sign before ovulation, while others notice it more afterward.

4. Light spotting

Light spotting or a small brown discharge is a less common but normal ovulation symptom. So, you may notice small amounts of brown or red spotting on your underwear that is not your period. 

This is caused by a natural rupturing of the follicle that surrounds the egg. The rupture leads to bleeding, and blood turns brown as it ages. 

Light spotting is not a cause for concern, but if spotting persists, then consult a physician.

5. Ovulation pain

Sometimes we can feel when ovulating – some women feel a pelvic ache around ovulation. This happens when the ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tube, leading to a slight tingling sensation on one side of the abdomen. 

This phenomenon is called Mittelschmerz, named after the doctor who first wrote about it. 

This sensation is usually mild but can be painful for some and may last a few minutes to a few hours. 

OTC medications and anti-inflammatories can help with ovulation pain if you need them, and if the pain goes away, then it’s not a cause for concern. 

However, if you experience persistent ovulation pain, visiting a trusted doctor is wise. 

It’s wise to get to know what ovulation is like for you by tracking and monitoring each month so that you can more effectively notice abnormalities if they come up.

6. Increased libido

Ovulation can increase your libido (sex drive), so you may notice more readiness and desire for sex during this time. 

If you want to get pregnant, make the best of this increased sex drive and aim to have sex with your partner every other day for ten days around your ovulation/fertility window.

7. Shift in basal body temperature

You may not notice this symptom, but a change in your basal body temperature (the lowest body temperature in a given day) can indicate ovulation. 

During ovulation, your basal body temperature (BBT) rises and stays higher than usual. You can more easily track your ovulation when you track your BBT over a few months, making it easier to notice changes during ovulation.

Sometimes pregnancy happens when we’re not trying, but it’s not always easy. 

It can take a lot of attempts to conceive successfully. Still, we give ourselves the best chance of successful conception when we have sex in the sensitive fertility window known as ovulation. 

By tracking your BBT and other ovulation symptoms, you will be better prepared to make the best of opportunities to conceive.

Self-care for moms at pregnancy week 2

Carrying a little human inside you for 40 weeks is no easy feat. That’s why soon-to-be moms must prioritize self-care during this magnificent, life-changing time.

Your self-care practice doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler, the better. 

Preparing for motherhood can take a toll on your mental energy, so don’t make things more complicated than they need to be. 

At two weeks pregnant (ovulation), try to:

1. Get plenty of rest

You’ll need all the energy you can get to grow a brand new human inside of you, so start forming a good bedtime routine even before you’re pregnant. 

Forming this habit early will help you stick to it throughout the coming nine months and ensure you and your baby are as healthy and happy as possible. 

Take that afternoon nap, rest when your body asks you to rest and let go of any guilt around a perceived lack of productivity. You’re doing a lot of work already.

2. Establish your support system

They say it takes a village to raise a child. 

It also takes a strong support system to help soon-to-be moms get through the challenges of pregnancy. 

If you have a partner to join you on your journey, take some time to set out what you need from them during this time and how you can support each other for everyone’s benefit, baby included. 

Consider close friends, family members, and anyone who can support you.

3. Adhere to a healthy diet and lifestyle

A healthy body is vital to a healthy pregnancy. That’s why it’s essential to establish healthy eating habits even before you conceive. 

Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of water are critical here. 

Avoid strong stimulants and toxins such as tobacco, alcohol, and excessive caffeine. 

A healthy, toxin-free body also makes it easier to conceive. A healthy diet significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects in your baby.

Taking prenatal vitamins is one of the most important dietary changes you should follow to get pregnant. These supplements contain folic acid (folate) and other essential nutrients that make your body a healthy and safe space to encourage problem-free baby growth.

FAQs for 2 weeks pregnant:

Can I tell if I am pregnant in week 2?

Week 2 of pregnancy is the second week after your last menstrual period, when most women start ovulating. 

At this stage, the body is preparing for pregnancy, so this is when conception is most likely to happen. As such, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice signs of pregnancy at week 2. 

Early pregnancy symptoms tend to show up around week 4.

Is it safe to continue my regular activities during week 2 of pregnancy?

Since week 2 of pregnancy refers to the week of ovulation, and you’re not pregnant just yet, it’s entirely safe to continue your regular physical activities at this time. 

Even during your first trimester, you can continue with basic physical activity but avoid too much strenuous activity.

When should I start prenatal vitamins?

Don’t wait for a positive pregnancy test to start taking a prenatal vitamin. 

To get pregnant, you can take prenatal vitamins as soon as possible, even before conception.

Can you feel a pregnancy at two weeks?

At pregnancy week 2, you may not be pregnant just yet. This is around your fertility window, so you will likely conceive around this time if you’re having regular, well-timed sex. 

Still, one of the early pregnancy signs is a missed period, which you will notice around pregnancy week 4.

When did I conceive if I was two weeks pregnant?

Two weeks pregnant is usually the time of conception. 

It’s hard to know precisely when you’ve conceived, so doctors and OBs count your pregnancy based on your menstrual cycle – week one begins on the first day of your last menstrual period. That means if you’ve just noticed a missed period, you probably conceived around one to two weeks ago.

Conclusion

Getting pregnant means that a fertilized egg has attached itself to the wall of your uterus. This process happens around 14-15 days after your last menstrual period, also known as pregnancy weeks 2 and 3. 

So, if you’re two weeks pregnant, that doesn’t mean there’s a baby in there just yet – it means you’re ovulating.