2 weeks pregnant: Ovulation

• The menstrual cycle continued
• When do I have the best chance of conceiving?
• Pregnancy week by week

The menstrual cycle continued

During week 2 of the menstrual cycle, the uterus continues in the proliferative phase to renew the endometrium.

As part of the ovarian cycle, the dominant follicle continues to develop within the ovary. Towards the end of this week, generally between days 10 and 14, ovulation occurs.

For more information, see Menstruation.

When do I have the best chance of conceiving?

If you are planning to fall pregnant, the best time to have intercourse is around the period of ovulation. Ovulation refers to the release of the egg from the ovary.

Some signs that you are ovulating include:

• The cervical mucus becomes thinner and more stretchy;
• The resting body temperature rises 0.2–0.3 degrees. This is best measured first thing in the morning before rising from bed. This change can be detected if body temperatures are recorded for several days before ovulation; and
• There is a rise in luteinising hormone (LH), which occurs 24 hours before ovulation. This can be detected with a home testing kit.

The most likely time to become pregnant is within 24 hours of the cervical mucus consistency and body temperature changing. Normal sperm are capable of fertilising the oocyte up to 72 hours after ejaculation, and the oocyte can be fertilised 12 hours before and 24 hours after ovulation. This means that the peak fertility period is from 3 days before ovulation to 2 days after. Assuming day 1 is the first day of a woman’s period, for most women the peak fertility period occurs in days 11–16 of their menstrual cycle.

For more information, see Preconception Advice.

Pregnancy week by week

To go back, see 1 Week Pregnant: The Last Menstrual Period.

For more information, see 3 Weeks Pregnant: The Beginning of Human Development.

More information

For more information on foetal development and maternal changes during pregnancy, see Stages of Pregnancy.

For more information about pregnancy, including preconception advice, stages of pregnancy, investigations, complications, living with pregnancy and birth, see Pregnancy.

References

1. Moore KL, Persaud TVN. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology (7th edition). Philadelphia: Saunders; 2003. [Book]
2. O’Connor V, Kovács G. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health. Port Melbourne, VIC: Cambridge University Press; 2003. [Book]