Era Health

Baby development at 2 weeks

Published 05 March 2025 | Written by Dr Bruce B. Lanier

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Baby development at 2 weeks

Getting ready to grow a baby

During the past few days, an increase in estrogen and progesterone prompted the lining of your uterus to thicken to support a fertilized egg. At the same time, in your ovaries, eggs have "ripened" in fluid-filled sacs called follicles.

An egg is released

Once you ovulate, an egg erupts from its follicle and is swept from your ovary into a fallopian tube. Ovulation doesn't necessarily occur right in the middle of your cycle. For example, it could happen any time between days 9 and 21 for women with a 28-day cycle.

Pregnancy symptoms during week 2

Slippery cervical mucus

Cervical mucus is the vaginal discharge you sometimes find in your underwear. In the days around ovulation, it'll be clear, slippery, and stretchy – like raw egg whites.

Mild cramping

Some women notice mild cramps or twinges of pain in their abdomen, or a one-sided backache, around the time of ovulation. This is known as mittelschmerz – German for "middle pain."

Increased sex drive

Your sex drive may rev up and your body odor may be more attractive to men around the time you're fertile.

Heightened sense of smell

Some studies have found that a woman's sense of smell gets stronger near ovulation – and it may be especially sensitive to male pheromones.

Tender breasts

Hormonal changes around ovulation may make your breasts feel a bit full or sore. To learn more about what to expect in the coming weeks, read about how breasts change during pregnancy.

Cervical changes

During ovulation, your cervix is softer, higher, wetter, and more open. You can feel these changes if you reach inside your vagina with a finger to examine your cervix, though you may have to check it daily to recognize the differences.

A boost in your basal body temperature (BBT)

You can use a special thermometer to take your BBT every morning. On the day after you ovulate, it goes up a bit and stays elevated until your next period.

Pregnancy checklist at 2 weeks pregnant

Take your vitamins

If you haven't yet, start taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Prenatal vitamins provide essential nutrients for you and your baby, including iron, vitamin D, and calcium. Folic acid reduces your baby's risk of certain birth defects, and it's crucial to get enough – especially very early in pregnancy when your baby's neural tube is developing.

See your healthcare provider

It's a good idea to have a preconception checkup to make sure your body is in the best possible shape for baby-making. Find out whether you should stop taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements. Also use this time to talk about any problems or concerns you have about pregnancy or parenthood.

Consider this blood test

You and your partner may want to get genetic carrier screening to see whether you carry genes that would put your baby at risk for serious inherited illnesses. Although many of these conditions are rare, a large study found that 24 percent of those tested were carriers for at least one genetic mutation. Talking to a genetic counselor will help you stay informed about your reproductive choices.

Have frequent sex

Wondering how often to have sex to get pregnant? Studies show that the highest pregnancy rates are in couples who have sex daily or every other day. But you don't have to get busy that often: A good rule of thumb is to try at least every two to three days soon after the end of your period. Sperm can live in your body for about 72 hours, so if you have sex in the three-day span before ovulation, there will be sperm waiting to greet your just-released egg.

Make time for self-care

When you take care of your mental health and physical well-being, you're better able to care for others. Start filling your cup now by eating foods that support pregnancy, getting good quality sleep, exercising, and managing your stress. Try massage, yoga, or deep breathing: Reducing your stress levels can increase your odds of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy.

Prepare your body for pregnancy

Taking the time to strengthen your belly and back before (or while) your body changes will benefit you throughout pregnancy and beyond. A stronger core prevents back problems as your bump grows, and even shortens your recovery time after childbirth. Weight training and yoga are two good activities to help you get stronger.

Know what to avoid

When you're trying to conceive and newly pregnant, you'll want to steer clear of tobacco, marijuana, illegal drugs, alcohol, and too much caffeine.

Kate Marple is a writer and editor who specializes in health, pregnancy, and parenting content. She's passionate about translating complicated medical information into helpful pregnancy and parenting advice that's easy to understand. She lives in San Francisco with her family.