Prepregnant and Counting - The First Two Weeks of Pregnancy

The Time Has Come

You and your partner have been counting the months and this is it - you're ready to conceive. Your last period has started and you've already had your preconception care visit with your health care provider. Everything was cleared, your health is good and the time has arrived. Even though you're not officially pregnant, you can start "acting pregnant" until or unless you know otherwise. By taking a prenatal vitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid, you help prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Now is the time, if you haven't already, to discontinue any form of chemical birth control and steer clear of alcohol, smoke (including second hand smoke), x-rays and over-the-counter medications . You can make whatever changes are necessary in any prescription medications you need to be taking. All of this can be done during your preconception care program which can be initiated up to six months before conception.

Egg-Bert (or Egg-Berta) In Waiting

Your uterus sheds its lining during your menstrual period and your hormones are preparing another egg to be released. That egg will, once fertilized, become your baby.

This is a time also for the father to be more attentive to what he is consuming in terms of food and drink. The father's health plays a very important role in the baby's health and development. If the father-to-be drinks and smokes, this would be a good time to stop and a great time to make any dietary changes deemed worthwhile as well. Drinking and smoking affect sperm production and health.

The Second Week of Pregnancy

During the Second Week of Pregnancy, your uterine lining is thickening and you are getting ready to ovulate. Sometimes more than one egg can be released during ovulation and if that happens, it is common for both eggs to become fertilized, resulting in fraternal twins. You may actually feel ovulation as a pain in one side of the abdomen. This pain is called a mittleschmerz which means middle pain. The egg is only viable for about 24hours, however sperm can stay alive in the reproductive tract of a woman for more than 72 hours. This means the window of conception is quite a bit wider than "the day of ovulation". Intercourse prior to ovulation and after ovulation can and often does wind up in pregnancy.

Almost Baby

Your baby is about to be conceived. The father can help the process by ensuring he's not wearing tight briefs or tight jeans. Either can cause overheating of the testicles which affects sperm count. And, the father-to-be is definitely being counted upon, so it's important for him to take good care of himself.

Within a very few days you will know if you've conceived!