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Your Pregnancy Week 2
Week two of your pregnancy begins at the end of your period. This is before the egg ripens, before ovulation and therefore, before fertilization.
As your period comes to an end and your uterus has shed its old lining, it will begin to prepare a new lining of blood-rich tissue to house the one egg that will contribute 50% of your baby’s genetic material. Ovulation and fertilization is just around the corner...
Mittleschmerz
Some women can actually feel ovulation in the form of one-sided abdominal pain, called mittleschmerz (middle pain). About 20% of women experience mittelschmerz, and this pain may occur just before, during or after ovulation. This pain can be felt on the same side, or it can switch sides month to month.
Mittleschmerz may be caused by a number of factors. Just prior to ovulation, follicle growth may stretch the surface of the ovary, causing pain. During ovulation, fluid or blood is released from the ruptured egg follicle which can irritate the abdominal lining.
Finding a healthcare provider
This can be a daunting task if you don’t already have a doctor or midwife that you trust and enjoy working with. It’s important to find a healthcare provider that shares your ideas and values about childbirth, since they will be the one that guides you through the birth. You may want to interview several people before you decide on one. If you have received a referral from a friend or family member, don’t feel obligated to go with the referral if you don’t think they are a good fit. And if you ultimately choose a doctor or midwife from a large practice, be sure to find out if they will be available during your birth. Working with someone for nine months and then having a stranger assist in the birth is something you will probably want to avoid!
It's best to start looking for a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Below you will find some helpful questions when interviewing prospective providers:
- Does the healthcare provider listen to your concerns, provide you with helpful answers, and allow you time for follow-up questions?
- Can this healthcare provider deliver your baby where you would like to (home, hospital, birthing tub, etc)
- If there is an emergency delivery and your healthcare provider is not available, who will be able to provide care for you?
- Does your healthcare provider respect your views on pregnancy and delivery?
- How long has this healthcare provider been in practice?
- Is this healthcare provider board certified?
- Does he/she have references that they can provide you with?
- Are you allowed to write a personal birth plan and will it be followed to the best of their ability?
Ultimately, it’s most important to select a healthcare provider that you and your partner trust and feel the most comfortable working with.
