2nd Week of Pregnancy
So it’s around 10 to 14 days since your last fertile period, and you’re beginning to be aware that your body is feeling, well, different.
You’re groggy and fatigued. You’re having trouble sleeping, partly because you have to get up and go to the bathroom more often. You may have a metallic taste in your mouth and feel nauseated. Even your breasts are becoming tender to touch.
There’s a reason for all these symptoms. You’re pregnant!
Actually, there’s a lot more going on. First, your body is producing enormous amounts of a hormone, Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – just call it Beta-hCG, it’s lots easier. Beta-hCG ramps up your output of estrogen and progesterone, which are the hormones that show positive if you take a pregnancy test.
The first thing to do is tell your partner. The next thing to do is make an appointment with your family doctor or gynecologist to get medical confirmation that you are indeed pregnant. Who you give the good news after this is up to you two parents-to-be.
What you might not expect are the mixed emotions you suddenly feel. On the one hand, this is what you wanted. At the same time, 40 weeks from now when a healthy baby is born, your life is going to change radically. It’s not uncommon for a mother-to-be to have mood swings during this early period of pregnancy, so father-to-be should be prepared to comfort her with lots of tissues, hugs and kisses. Don’t think this is something that only your partner or spouses will experience, gentlemen; she didn’t get pregnant on her own, and you’re going through the next 40 weeks with her. Think of it as good training for fatherhood.
In fact, it would be a good idea if the two of you could take a weekend away together, just to enjoy the fact that you’re going to be parents. Relax together (but no alcohol!), talk about your hopes and fears and dreams. Practice giving each other foot rubs or massages; they’re great for relieving pregnancy stress.
Meanwhile, in Mom’s uterus, your little zygote (fertilized egg) has burrowed into the uterine lining. Its two original cells (ovum and sperm) begin dividing and multiplying to become a blastocyst (a collection of cells). The blastocyst is made up of an inner cell mass that will become the embryo, surrounded by another cavity that will turn into the amniotic sac. The outer cell body will become the placenta.
Now the little blastocyst will separate into two parts, the amniotic cavity, also called the yolk sac, and the embryo. The amniotic cavity protects and nourishes the embryo until the placenta forms completely in about 8 more weeks.
During your first visit with your obstetrician, you may be surprised when he or she suggests you start sleeping on your left side for the rest of your pregnancy. There are some good reasons for this posture: it brings the best blood flow to your uterus, which is what feeds, supports and nurtures the fetus.
To make yourself more comfortable, put an extra pillow between your legs. Later in pregnancy, you may want a pillow against your back as well for support. Ask for whatever makes you feel better, Mother-to-be, because what helps you helps your baby!
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