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...
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 health care 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
health-care 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 chose 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 9 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 health care provider listen to your concerns, provide you
with helpful answers, and allow you time for follow-up questions?
- Can this health care provider deliver your baby where you would like to (home, hospital, birthing tub, etc)
- If there is an emergency delivery and your health care provider is not available, who will be able to provide care for you?
- Does your health care provider respect your views on pregnancy and delivery?
- How long has this health care 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 health care provider
that you and your partner trust and feel the most comfortable working
with.
