Ovulation and conception. Discharge after ovulation, if conception is successful during the weeks of pregnancy: what happens

Women who are actively trying to get pregnant, as well as those who are terribly afraid of this event, know about the connection between conception and the process of ovulation. They know that unprotected sexual intercourse that occurs 1-3 days before the release of the egg from the follicle leads to pregnancy. But will the sperm have time to reach the oocyte if sex happened after the ovulatory phase?

Below we will examine in detail whether it is possible to get pregnant after ovulation, and what is the maximum period of such probability. Let's talk about the double and late ovulatory phases and how to determine them.

A little physiology

As you know, pregnancy occurs only when male and female cells merge. And if sperm can be “received” every day (although the process of their full maturation in the testicles lasts 64-74 days), then the egg is available only at a certain time - during the period.

During this time, called the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, the oocyte must:

exit from the follicle that fed it into the abdominal cavity;
to be caught in the villi of the fallopian tubes;
through them enter the uterine cavity.

The egg lives for 6-7 days, during which it moves from the ovary to the cervix, but the viability of the cell, regulated by female hormones, remains for 24-36 (in rare cases 48) hours.

It turns out that during the first two days (in other words, immediately after ovulation) the risk of getting pregnant is maximum. Given this information, when should sexual intercourse take place?

The speed of sperm movement is 2-4 mm/minute. Full ejaculation increases their speed, so they can reach the uterus in 1-2 minutes, and then they will slow down. But fertilization should occur not in the uterus itself, but at the place where the fallopian tube passes into it. To get there, normal, full-fledged sperm need several hours.

What affects fertilization

In practice, the speed at which male and female cells “meet” is not a constant value; it is influenced by many factors. This determines whether it is likely to become pregnant after ovulation ends.

We examined that the egg released from the follicle remains viable for 36 hours. That is, if a woman feels that she has ovulated, then in order to conceive, intercourse must occur within this period of time. It is optimal if coitus occurs in the first 12 hours - the highest possibility of pregnancy. But even if sex happens within a day, the chance of conception is still high.

Is it possible to get pregnant the day after ovulation?

The answer is yes: the oocyte is still alive and can be fertilized. If coitus occurs between ovulation itself and 33-34 hours after it (minus 3-4 hours required for sperm to reach the oocyte), then the likelihood of pregnancy still remains high.

In fact, for forecasting you need to take into account:

The woman's body temperature, pH and amount of vaginal secretion. An increase in temperature in the vagina (with inflammation or with general diseases accompanied by fever), a highly acidic pH and a small amount of vaginal secretion lead to a decrease in the life expectancy of sperm.
Sperm count: if there are less than 60 million sperm in the ejaculate, this reduces the chance of fertilization. The fact is that even though sperm is ejected under increased pressure, vaginal secretion moves towards it, so only every 5 male gamete moves in the right direction.
Quality of sperm: the higher their motor activity (they move thanks to the movements of the “tails”), the greater the likelihood of fertilization.
A woman's progesterone level. This hormone not only prepares the body for pregnancy, but also, according to the latest scientific data, accelerates the flow of sperm. Progesterone activates calcium channels in male gametes, which speeds up the movements of their tails.
Did the woman have an orgasm? It increases the number of sperm entering the uterine cavity: male gametes go against the flow of fluid in the vagina, and during orgasm the uterus makes a kind of “suction” movement.
What conditions were the testicles in? Tight underwear, an increase in the temperature of the whole body, going to a bathhouse or sauna, taking hot baths have a detrimental effect on the already produced seminal fluid, and also stop the formation of new cells in the testicles.
The period is not long enough for sperm to mature. This happens with diseases of the testicles and their appendages, as well as with too frequent sexual intercourse.

Thus, if a woman’s egg lives for 48 hours, and all the above conditions are met, then conception is not possible 2 days after ovulation.

Unusual types of ovulation

Usually, when asked whether it is possible to get pregnant on the 4th day after ovulation or later, gynecologists answer in the negative, but pregnancy still occurs. How is this possible?

Firstly, the ovulatory phase may be incorrectly determined. Many women focus purely on their sensations: changes in discharge, swelling of the breasts,... But such symptoms are not exact, but only approximate, and can be felt even before the egg is released.

Secondly, the release of the egg may not be accompanied by any symptoms, and the woman believes that it occurs exactly in the middle of the cycle. In fact, ovulation in a stable cycle is calculated based on the expected day of the next menstruation: 14 days are subtracted from it. This is due to the fact that the luteal phase of the cycle is a stable value for most women and lasts 2 weeks.

Thirdly, it can occur periodically, due to temporary changes in external conditions, or constantly (due to illness). It occurs several (usually 10-11) days before menstrual bleeding. In this case, the woman believes that conception occurred in the safe days after ovulation, but in fact there was a late release of the oocyte.

Fourthly, ovulation can be double. This means that in a given cycle, two follicles gave rise to two eggs, and the second oocyte may be released several hours later or up to 10 days (it could not be released much later, because hormones would prevent it). It turns out that conception on the 5th day after ovulation is no longer possible, but it still happened, because it was the 2nd day after the release of the second egg.

The double ovulatory phase, unlike the late one, is a rather rare phenomenon. Basically, it develops during the IVF protocol, but can occur due to severe stress, rare or irregular sex life.

The situation when 2 eggs mature at once, with a difference of 7-10 days, allows you to get pregnant a week after the release of the first oocyte, but not the second. If double ovulation is excluded, it means that the ovulatory phase has not been accurately determined.

How to avoid mistakes in calculating the ovulatory phase

Maintaining a schedule. By measuring the temperature in the rectum every day and noting it in the program or on a piece of paper, a woman will not only see when ovulation occurred. She will find out if the oocyte was released later than 14 days before menstruation or if it did it earlier. Based on the results of the graph, the gynecologist will be able to see double ovulation and assess the production of hormones, in particular progesterone, which will affect the ability to conceive.
, which determines the level of LH hormone in the urine. With its help, you can determine not only ovulation, but also shifts in the ovulatory cycle. Even if two oocytes are released, the test will not have any peculiarities: if two female cells come out at the same time, it will most likely be more clear. If they came out after a while, then the woman will not continue to perform tests after the first positive result.
. This ultrasound method will show the maturation of the follicle or follicles and will accurately determine any type of ovulation.

What to do if unprotected coitus occurs after ovulation

If pregnancy is undesirable, and sex without contraception occurred 2-3 days after the release of the oocyte, you should play it safe and take one of the drugs containing a large amount of progesterone (for example, Postinor). If sex was later than on the third day after ovulation, and she herself was checked accurately, using folliculometry, no additional actions need to be taken.

If a woman has determined the ovulatory phase “by eye” and pregnancy is undesirable, it is better to play it safe by taking “” medications. It should be taken into account that drugs can cause a delay in menstruation, as well as tension in the mammary glands.

When to take a pregnancy test?

When uniting, the sperm and oocyte must form a single whole, and then, starting to divide, move towards the endometrium. When the embryo is introduced into the endometrium (implantation), then it makes sense to conduct a pregnancy test. This is 9-10 days after the release of the oocyte. And if you had sex 1-2 days after it, still count 9-10 days from the ovulatory phase before performing the test.

Conceiving a baby is possible only during the period when a mature egg leaves the ovary and waits for its fusion with a sperm. Women who want to get pregnant look forward to “that very day,” while others, on the contrary, abstain from sexual intercourse at this time. But, if the day of expected conception is determined incorrectly or is missed, is pregnancy possible, and how long does the woman still have maximum fertility?

Fertilization – process of fusion of a mature egg with sperm, which results in the formation of a zygote that carries the genetic information of both parents.

Accordingly, conception occurs when there is a mature woman in the body, which develops in the ovarian follicle from 10 to 18 days.

After this period, it emerges from the cavity of the ruptured follicle, ready for fertilization. The process of releasing a mature egg is called ovulation.

For reference: The timing of follicle maturation is individual and depends on the duration of the menstrual cycle. In 80% of women with a 28-day cycle, the egg is released on the 14th day.

Main features

How many days after ovulation can you get pregnant?

Probability of successful conception determined by two factors: the presence of fertile, viable sperm in a man and a mature egg in a woman.

Because sperm remain viable for up to a week, conception is possible through sexual intercourse that occurred 7 days before the release of the finished egg, and within 2 days after it.

The most successful period for fertilization are the day of ovulation, the day before and after it. At this time, changes occur in the woman’s body that favor the passage of sperm into the body: the consistency of the cervical mucus decreases and the elasticity of the vaginal walls increases.

On what days of the cycle is it possible?

Lifespan of a mature egg lasts up to 24 hours Accordingly, the process of fertilization itself takes place within 24 hours. However, this does not mean that it should happen on this day.

Sperm fertility can last up to 5 days, and, according to some researchers, up to a week. Therefore, sexual intercourse even a week before expected ovulation may well result in conception.

Based on these data, a calendar method of contraception has been developed, through which it is possible to determine.

Important: the determination of fertile days is individual for each woman and depends on the duration of her menstrual cycle.

Rules for calculating fertile days:

Monitor the duration of three menstrual cycles.
Subtract 11 from the number of days in the longest cycle.
Subtract 20 from the number of days in the shortest cycle.
The numbers in the range of the obtained values are the days on which conception is possible.

For example: The duration of the maximum menstrual cycle is 31 days, and the short one is 29. Thus, 29 – 20 = 9; 31 – 11 = 20. This means that from 9 to 20 days from the start of menstruation, unprotected sexual intercourse may well result in pregnancy.

Probability of fertilization in a day

If timing of probable conception before ovulation last for a week and are explained by the viability of sperm, then after it, fertilization is possible for up to 2 days, which is how long a mature egg can live in a successful situation.

In addition, the first day after ovulation is when maximum fertility is determined.

In the female body at this time, favorable conditions are created for the penetration of sperm into the egg, thanks to which male reproductive cells reach their goal within 2 hours after entering the vagina.

A week later

Pregnancy a week after ovulation is impossible due to a number of physiological factors:

A mature egg lives no more than 2 days.
The maturation and release of an egg occurs only once in the menstrual cycle.
The process of fertilization is impossible without an egg.

Conception in a week after the woman's supposed ovulation can only be explained by a disruption of the menstrual cycle. That is, the release of the egg from the ovarian follicle occurred somewhat later.

Possible causes of delays in egg maturation:

Irregularity of the menstrual cycle.
Hormonal disbalance.
Drug therapy.
Stress factors.

Doesn't always give accurate results. An error of up to three days is allowed., which also gives reason to believe that conception is possible a week after the egg matures.

How long is the likelihood?

Theoretically, fertilization can only occur with a viable female gamete, which persists for 24 hours after leaving the follicle. But in fact, conception is quite likely a few days after the expected release of the egg.

This factor due to inaccuracy. All home methods, even when used together, may produce some error, on average up to 3 days. The exact date of release of the egg can be determined only by ultrasound.

How to conceive a child with maximum chances?

Accurate determination of the date of maximum fertility important for women planning pregnancy.

Having sexual intercourse on an “auspicious day” significantly increases the chances of conception.

Fertilization is possible if coitus occurs within 48 hours after the release of the egg.

Peculiarity: The optimal frequency of sexual intercourse on fertile days should be every 2 days. With more frequent contacts, sperm viability decreases.

Don't despair I am in the absence of coitus on the day of ovulation. Conception is possible within another 2 days. However, on day 3 the probability of fertilization is practically zero.

When to take the test?

Around day 10 After conception, highly sensitive pregnancy tests begin to respond to the increased level of hCG in the body of a pregnant woman by the appearance of a second indicator strip.

Attention: It should be borne in mind that the probability of detecting pregnancy by tests is 90%. The possibility of error cannot be ruled out.

On the 14th day after fertilization, pregnancy is determined even by tests with average sensitivity.

How not to get pregnant?

If sexual intercourse is within 5 days, and the birth of a baby was not at all part of the woman’s plans, it is recommended to resort to emergency contraception measures. For this purpose, you should take medications:

Levonorgestrel.
Postinor.
Escapelle.

Data drugs suppress fertilization and prevent implantation of the zygote. They should be taken no later than 3 days after unwanted sexual intercourse.

To prevent an unwanted pregnancy from happening to your partner, it is necessary refrain from unprotected sexual intercourse c, using contraceptive methods, for 4 - 5 days after expected ovulation.

Pregnancy due to unprotected sexual intercourse after ovulation is quite likely if coitus occurred within 2 days after the release of the egg. To avoid unwanted pregnancy, it is recommended to use contraceptive methods during fertile days.

For couples, those wishing to conceive a baby, “planning” should begin 5 days before the final maturation of the egg, maintaining a gap of 48 hours between sexual intercourse to preserve sperm fertility.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Fetus

In the second obstetric week, as in the first, there is actually no pregnancy yet, and therefore no fetus, since the woman’s body is only actively preparing for a theoretically possible conception. This paradoxical situation, when pregnancy is already considered, but in fact it is not, is due to the obstetric method of calculating gestational age. The fact is that traditionally obstetricians count the gestational age from the first day of the last menstruation. That is, the first day of the last menstruation is considered the first day of pregnancy. Of course, during menstruation there is no pregnancy yet, but the obstetric tradition of calculating the gestational age still dictates that doctors determine the gestational age this way and not otherwise.

But in fact, pregnancy can occur only on the 12th - 14th day of the menstrual cycle, when ovulation occurs, as a result of which an egg is released from the ovary, ready for fertilization by sperm. In other words, conception can occur only at the end of the second week of the menstrual cycle, which according to the traditional method is already considered the second week of pregnancy. But, in fact, in the second week pregnancy has not yet occurred.

However, obstetricians, adhering to the traditional system, consider the first day of pregnancy to be the first day of the last menstruation, as a result of which there are, as it were, 1.5 - 2 “extra” weeks in the obstetric period, during which there was no actual pregnancy.

Sensations and discharge

Since there is no actual pregnancy in the second week of the obstetric period, the woman does not have any specific sensations or discharge. All her sensations are the same as usual when approaching the middle of the menstrual cycle. Some women may experience a tummy tug or spotting. But these sensations are common, normal and characteristic of the end of the second phase of the menstrual cycle, and not of pregnancy.

In addition, as ovulation approaches (the moment the egg is released from the ovary), vaginal discharge may become sticky, with a large amount of mucus, which is also normal and is not a sign of pregnancy.

Uterus and belly

Both the uterus and abdomen in the second week correspond to the first half of the menstrual cycle and the approach of ovulation. The endometrium grows in the uterus, which prepares for the implantation of the fertilized egg if conception occurs. The stomach is completely normal, the same as always. If during this period a woman feels any changes in the abdomen or uterus, then they can be due to any reasons, but not pregnancy. This could be inflammatory processes or other diseases, or a simple reflection of mental stress caused by anticipation of pregnancy.

Ultrasound and tests

All tests and ultrasounds correspond to the non-pregnant level. Any pregnancy test (even a highly sensitive one) will be negative, since conception has not actually occurred yet.

Sex, food, weight

In the second week of pregnancy, a woman’s weight remains normal and can only change under the influence of external factors (for example, caloric intake, taking medications that affect body weight, etc.). That is, if a woman eats a high-calorie and dense diet, she can gain weight, and vice versa. Moreover, any fluctuations in body weight in the second week can be caused by any factors other than pregnancy.

In the second week of pregnancy, you should eat as usual, in the usual way, trying to choose healthy foods and avoid harmful ones. If a woman consciously wants to get pregnant, then it is best to stick to her usual diet so that the body does not experience stress and the likelihood of conception is maximized.

The normal temperature of a person is 35.7-37.2 degrees, but a woman’s body temperature tends to change cyclically - these deviations are insignificant, only 0.5 degrees. But it is precisely this feature that makes it possible to determine the exact time of ovulation with a high degree of reliability. So, basal temperature is measured in the anus. It is in this place that the most accurate measurement of body temperature is possible, and even more so, the determination of its change by 0.5 g. Every morning at the same time, without getting out of bed, a thermometer is inserted into the anus for five minutes - the measurement results are recorded in chronological order. For clarity, you can draw a temperature curve (as shown in the diagram). The temperature in the first phase of the cycle (before ovulation) is usually below 37 degrees. At the time of ovulation, it rises above 37 degrees due to a rise in the level of the hormone progesterone. Thus, the moment the temperature rises will indicate ovulation.

Another method for determining ovulation is folliculometry. It involves the use of an ultrasound machine. Three to four days before expected ovulation, during an ultrasound examination of the ovaries, the largest follicle is identified (it is given the title dominant). And every day, until the moment when it bursts and releases the egg into free floating, it is monitored using an ultrasound machine.

Why does ovulation occur?

Strictly speaking, the maturation of the follicle and the release of the egg from it is only an external manifestation of a very complex neuropsychic, hormonal, physiological process in the body of the expectant mother. In the previous week's article, we briefly looked at the monthly hormonal changes in a woman's body. So, ovulation is one of the manifestations of the work of the internal secretion organs. During the first 14 days from the first day of the last menstruation, the amount of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) in the blood increases - this causes an increase in the level of estrogen in the body (promotes the maturation of the endometrium of the uterus). As a rule, on the 14th day of the cycle there is a massive release of LH (luteinizing hormone) into the blood - this causes the dominant follicle to burst and release the egg - ovulation occurs. In parallel with ovulation, under the influence of LH, there is an increase in the level of progesterone in the blood - the pregnancy hormone (this hormone helps maintain the pregnancy).

Ovulation and everything connected with it

At the moment of ovulation, a vesicle with liquid (dominant follicle) ruptures. As a result, the egg enters the abdominal cavity - this process is called ovulation. After the follicle ruptures, the egg enters the abdominal cavity and is sent to the ampulla (the widest, end part) of the fallopian tube. The fallopian tube is nothing more than a meeting place for eggs and sperm wanting to unite. It is in it that the amazing phenomenon of the conception of a new life occurs. Of course, the fertilized egg still needs to prove its viability, love of life and diligence, and the mother’s body needs to prove hospitality, health and the presence of one of the fundamental instincts of all living things - the instinct of reproduction.

When women talk to their doctors about early pregnancy, there is often confusion. The 2nd week of pregnancy, according to gynecologists, is not yet pregnancy at all. But pregnant women themselves consider it the 2nd week after a missed period (which is actually already the 6th obstetric week of pregnancy). Therefore, as you can see, we are talking about completely different periods...

First, let's figure out what the 2nd week of pregnancy means in the understanding of obstetricians and gynecologists. Next, we will discuss the not entirely correct reasoning of the majority of pregnant women themselves.

Second obstetric week of pregnancy

Gynecologists believe that this is the week preceding conception, that is, in fact, not yet pregnancy (the fetus does not yet exist).

At the end of the 12-14th day of the cycle, ovulation usually occurs. Therefore, it is then that fertilization of the egg can occur. And the fetus will attach to the uterus only after 1-2 weeks, when the woman is still unaware of her position, because the delay has not yet occurred. The mystery of the birth of a new life occurs secretly and asymptomatically.

Second week of pregnancy from conception

The onset of the 2nd week of pregnancy from conception usually coincides with the period when menstruation should begin, but due to this situation, they, of course, do not begin. This is where many people run to the pharmacy for a pregnancy test, which, even at a short period of time, is extremely rarely wrong.

Some women even remember the specific date of conception. Especially if they carefully planned this pregnancy. Therefore, the absence of the onset of critical days is perceived by them as joyful and exciting at the same time. The fetus is now a lump of cells that is barely attached to the wall of the uterus.

But at your appointment with the gynecologist, you will not be asked about the expected date of conception, but will only be asked about the first day of your last menstruation. The doctor will calculate the gestational age based on this date..

These are the principles of calculation generally accepted by all gynecologists. We recommend that you focus on them so that there is no misunderstanding between you and the doctor.

It is almost impossible to find out about a miscarriage at 2 weeks of pregnancy. It may be accompanied by longer and heavier periods than usual, or brownish discharge. Therefore, it is regarded as a feature of menstruation or a strange cycle problem. The woman does not even realize that, even for a short time, she was still pregnant.

Delayed period 2 weeks

A two-week delay, in fact, is the 6th week of pregnancy by obstetric standards. A child at this stage is no longer just a lump of cells. This is a future person, his heart is already beating.

Because of the fear of an unplanned pregnancy or the fear of frightening away long-awaited happiness, women often put off going to the pharmacy for a test and do not dare to make an appointment with a gynecologist. However, the absence of menstruation in the expectant mother still raises some suspicions. In addition, she can intuitively sense changes in her body.

Although the first symptoms of pregnancy do not always appear so early.

Signs and sensations in the 2nd week of pregnancy

Now that we have everything figured out, let's talk specifically about the 2nd week of pregnancy in its obstetric understanding.

The 2nd week of the expected pregnancy coincides with the first phase of the menstrual cycle. That is, conception has not yet occurred, and there is no pregnancy. Therefore, there cannot be any specific sensations called signs of pregnancy in the second week.

However, starting from the moment of ovulation, the following changes occur in a woman’s body:

The amount of the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to provide the future fetus with nutrition, increases in the blood;
Basal (rectal) temperature changes. It should be measured in the rectum every day immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed. If it decreases and then increases the next day, it means ovulation has occurred. Or pharmacies have special tests that determine the amount of hormones in the morning urine;
The cervical canal rises and opens, and after ovulation it hardens, closes, returns to its original place and “awaits” a signal from progesterone, which stimulates the preparation of the uterus to increase in size;
The endometrium (the lining of the uterus) thickens under the influence of the hormone estrogen;
The breasts become slightly enlarged because epithelium grows in the mammary glands inside the milk ducts, preparing for the appearance of milk alveoli.

What sensations arise

The following changes are very noticeable:

Semi-fluid vaginal discharge. They are designed to facilitate the movement of sperm inside the uterus to their desired goal - the egg. If the second week of pregnancy is accompanied by prolonged bleeding, you should think about the likelihood of an inflammatory process or impaired ovarian function. In the first case, purulent discharge, abdominal pain, and increased body temperature may also be observed. If you discover such symptoms, immediately contact your gynecologist;
Feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. It is possible in the middle of the menstrual cycle and is directly related to ovulation. If pregnancy occurs, then such sensations in the second week of pregnancy persist throughout the entire second phase of the cycle. Under no circumstances should a heating pad be applied to the abdomen, because dilation of blood vessels can cause internal bleeding;
Increased excitability. During the preovulation period, the hormone estrogen predominates in a woman’s body. It determines changes in behavior that manifest themselves in increased sexual desire. This is how the nature of the female body works - it itself tries in every possible way to promote procreation;
Breasts swell slightly. The nipples become more sensitive, even causing discomfort. The mammary glands gradually enlarge and become coarser.

Ovulation and its consequences

And yet, what happens in the 2nd week of pregnancy? Let's talk about when ovulation occurs and what usually happens after it, as well as how to find out about pregnancy as soon as possible.

Events in the 2nd week of pregnancy

The main event occurring in a woman’s body at this time is the maturation of the egg. Just imagine, the egg contains half of the genetic material that will be inherited by your baby in the future. The appearance and character traits, as well as the mental abilities of the unborn child, are predetermined.

Throughout the 2nd week of pregnancy, the egg remains in the ovary, or more precisely, in the follicle (a small sac filled with a cloudy liquid). Fluid continuously accumulates in the follicle, thereby increasing its size until it protrudes as a small tubercle above the surface of the ovary. When its shell becomes very thin, the walls cannot withstand the pressure and burst. The fluid flows into the abdominal cavity, taking with it the mature egg. That's when ovulation occurs.

For some women, exactly on time (if the cycle is less than 28 days), for others, moving to the beginning of the 3rd week significantly increases the likelihood of successful conception.

Want something interesting?

After unprotected intercourse, the egg is reunited with one of the millions of sperm to form a zygote. The latter begins the process of division already descending along the fallopian tube into the uterine cavity. It will be securely attached to it for the next week. Now, we can say, the beginning of a new life has been made!

The zygote is the largest cell of the human body that develops in the 2nd week of pregnancy due to conception. It is much larger than any other and contains the genetic material of mom and dad. You don’t know yet that very soon you will become parents, and the baby has already begun his long journey.

Has fertilization occurred?

To find out about pregnancy at this stage, you can donate blood for the hormone progesterone. But it is better, of course, to wait a couple more weeks for greater accuracy of this analysis.

Pregnancy 2 weeks is the minimum period.

A gynecological examination is not yet advisable, especially if there is evidence of increased tone, and also due to the high risk of miscarriage. It will be possible to visit a doctor only after 3-4 weeks, that is, when the delay is already about 2 weeks.

In the meantime, if you really want, you can do an ultrasound of the uterus, which will clearly demonstrate whether there is an embryo in the corpus luteum formed from a fertilized egg. In addition, ultrasound will help get rid of unnecessary disputes related to the timing of actual and obstetric pregnancy. It allows you to determine the actual period from the moment of conception.

The photo clearly shows the “consequences” of fertilization: the outline of the uterus against the background of a dark spot – the bladder, and inside it a light spot – the endometrium.

The second photo shows the ovary and corpus luteum. This ultrasound was performed using the Doppler method. We can clearly see the outline of the corpus luteum - a colored oval, where the vascular network is marked in blue and red.

In order for the long-awaited baby to be born healthy, preparation for pregnancy must begin even before conception. It is a pity when young couples neglect family planning, relying on nature and chance. Our bad habits and untreated diseases can have a detrimental effect on the condition of the unborn child. And if you think that you are ready to become parents, then where to start preparing?

Take folic acid and vitamin E - they are important for the full development of the body of the future fetus, in particular for the development of its central nervous system;
Try to eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle. This should be done not only when you feel any symptoms in the 2nd week of pregnancy, but also long before that. Drink still water, eat small portions up to 6 times a day. More fresh fruits and vegetables, less salty, fatty, smoked, flour foods;
Eliminate smoking and drinking alcohol;
Avoid stressful situations and get enough sleep;
Do not take any medications unless prescribed by a doctor;
Boost your immunity. Drink warm berry fruit drinks (from rose hips or cranberries, for example). Just one glass will provide your body with the necessary amount of vitamin C;
Do not take very hot baths, avoid going to the bathhouse or sauna;
Don't lift heavy objects;
Do not overuse intimate hygiene products - they destroy the natural microflora of the vagina, and sperm do not like this;
If you are concerned about prolonged bleeding, do not ignore it! Consult your doctor!;
You can increase the likelihood of conception like this: immediately after ejaculation, you need to lie down for 15-20 minutes, placing a pillow under the pelvic area.

For men, it is equally important to follow some rules, even if you are not planning your first pregnancy.

A couple of months before conception, you need to give up alcohol and cigarettes;
To increase the quality and quantity of sperm, you need to have sex not every day, but at intervals of at least 2-3 days, and on the expected day of ovulation, of course;
Wear loose underwear;
Try not to get overcooled during the cold season. Wear insulated trousers and take care of your health!;
Avoid saunas and hot baths.

Take care of yourself, listen to the state of your body and be healthy! Remember, if you really want something, then it will happen! By setting yourself up for a positive result, you will certainly be able to get pregnant and give birth to a happy and healthy baby! Now you know everything about the 2nd obstetric week of pregnancy, and read about all subsequent weeks in our online magazine for women!

This material is for informational purposes only; before using the information provided, you must be sure to consult with a specialist.