Two Weeks Pregnant
This week marks the end of life as you know it and the beginning of a new life to get to know. Although no baby exists yet, this is the week your body prepares for conception. To get ready for such an undertaking, your body is priming itself for ovulation--your last period is over and the uterus readies itself as a mother bird would her nest.
A normal menstrual cycle starts with the first day of one period and ends with the first day of the next. A typical period lasts approximately five to seven days. During the following week, the body prepares itself: The uterine lining becomes thicker and the ovarian follicles mature. Above all, one ovum (or in the case of multiples, two or more) begins its decent from ovary to fallopian tube. The egg typically leaves the ovary around day 14 of a woman's cycle; however, this event can occur from days 11 to 16.
From this point, the egg will either be fertilized by a sperm cell and attach itself to the lining of the uterus (where it will develop into your baby), or it will remain unfertilized, and hormone levels will prompt the uterus to shed its blood-rich lining (around day 25 of your cycle). But we're talking about babies here, so prepare yourself for official conception during week 3!
You are now finished with your period, and your body is beginning the cycle once again. Although rare at this point, it may be possible to feel your body's work. The release of each egg (or eggs) alternates monthly from one ovary to the next. It may be possible to feel this process. If you are preparing for conception, continue to create a safe and healthy space for your baby through exercise, diet, and stress management techniques.
The conception of your baby comes at the end of this week.