The 2nd Week of Pregnancy

The signs and symptoms are not actually visible during the first two weeks of pregnancy. However, those women expecting to become pregnant are said to experience the signs of pregnancy as soon as they conceive. You might say that it could be just a psychological thing that one will experience the things that she is expecting to happen.

Funny as it may seem, but the second week of your pregnancy count is actually a period where you haven't conceived yet. If you will remember, the first day of calculating the estimated delivery date is the first day of menstrual cycle itself.

This may sound strange but you really are not yet pregnant at this point in time! The process of egg fertilization will only take place before the week ends. But you can always do something to confirm if you are suspecting yourself to be pregnant, say you really know your menstrual cycle and you're bothered now that you have missed two weeks already! Aside from the home pregnancy test, you can always use other means like basal body temperature.

To do the basal body temperature, you will need a basal thermometer. Take your temperature as soon as you rise from bed; make sure you are not yet moving out of the room before doing it since any physical activity will increase body temperature and distort the result.

In the second week of pregnancy, your uterine lining develops and your body releases follicle stimulating hormones. This stimulates the egg to mature and at the end of the week, you will be at the midpoint of your menstrual cycle if you have a normal 28 day cycle. Your ovary, then will release an egg into the fallopian tube and that is where ovulation takes place.

During this period, the embryo contains around 150 cells. These are divided in three layers where each one will develop independently. The outermost layer or the ectoderm is responsible in forming the brain and nervous system together with the epidermis.

The middle layer or the mesoderm will become the circulatory system which includes the heart and blood vessels, bones and cartilage, dermis or the inner layer of the skin, muscles, excretory system, loins and genitalia. It is also responsible in developing the outer covering of internal organs.

The innermost layer, on the other hand, is called the endoderm or endoblast. This is the one responsible in forming the respiratory and digestive system development. The glands such as liver, pancreas, thyroid and thymus will also be developed in this layer.

At the second week of pregnancy, the embryo just floats in the uterus and survives through the secretions of the uterine lining.