Pregnancy Guide: What You Need to Know at 14 Weeks Pregnant

14 Weeks Pregnant in Months

At 14 weeks pregnant, you are entering the fourth month of your pregnancy. While pregnancy is often divided into three trimesters, each lasting around three months, the month-to-week conversion can sometimes cause confusion.

Pregnancy Week 14: Baby

Your baby’s head is getting bigger in the second trimester, but it will still be some time before it’s fully formed. The soft spot on top of their head—called the fontanelle—is still open. That’s why you can feel them move around so much in there! It’s cool to feel your little one move around and poke around in there.

Your baby is starting to develop their eyes, which means they can see the light through the womb. This is a big deal because it means they are aware of what’s going on around them! They won’t just be able to see your face or hear your voice—they’ll be able to see everything that goes on in your life too!

Baby’s Growth

At the start of pregnancy, week 14, your baby is 8.7 cm long and weighs 25 g. They are around the size of a lemon or guava. By the end of this week, your little one would have doubled in weight and grown around another 2 cm long.

It has fully formed arms and legs, but they are still soft and flexible. The baby’s skin is thin and transparent, which makes it possible to see its internal organs.

The baby’s bones are hardening as calcium builds up in them. Its eyes are open, but it can’t yet focus on objects outside the womb. The ears have begun to take shape and form a protective cover called an auricle. The lungs are developing rapidly, as are the liver and digestive system.

The placenta continues to work hard in the womb—it produces hormones that help regulate the baby’s growth rate while providing nutrients through the umbilical cord that connects them.

Baby’s Development

• While your baby’s taste buds begin developing around the seventh week, research suggests that they can taste bitter, sweet, or sour flavours in the amniotic fluid at this stage.
• The roof of their mouth (palate) will be completely formed by the end of this week.
• Increased brain impulses mean that their facial muscles are “practising”. They now smile, frown, and grimace.
• Their hair has now grown on top of their head. And while we’re on hair, they are also growing lanugo, a fine layer of downy hair, all over their body. Don’t worry about this fur, mums. In the coming weeks, it will shed.
• Their kidneys are beginning to make urine.
• An interesting bit about this week-by-week pregnancy guide is this: your baby is testing their limbs by sucking their thumb and wiggling their toes. It may be too early to feel their kicks, but your baby moves a lot in your womb.

Baby’s Hearing

The bones in your baby’s middle ear are forming. The eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, is developing.

Your baby can hear sounds from as far away as 300 feet away! That’s like hearing a conversation in another room with no walls between you.

Your baby’s brain is growing rapidly now, and she’s starting to recognise some sounds. She may even tell the difference between your voice and your partner’s!

Baby’s Teeth

The baby’s jaw begins to harden, so the teeth will begin to come in. The baby’s mouth is already forming inside your belly and starting to form teeth — though they won’t be visible until later in your pregnancy or even after you give birth.

Baby’s Movement

It’s time to get excited about your baby’s movements.

You might have had a little flutter for a while now, but this is the week when you can feel your little one moving around. And trust us: it’s normal if you’re still not used to it yet.

It’s common for women to start feeling their babies move around this time, but it’s not always easy to tell that it’s the baby, not gas or something else.

The best way to tell if what you are feeling is your baby moving is to get familiar with how your body feels when you digest food or do other physical things.

14 Weeks Pregnant: Your Body

What are the signs of a healthy pregnancy at 14 weeks?

At 14 weeks pregnant, there are several positive signs that typically indicate a healthy progression. These signs include a reduction in morning sickness and nausea for many women, as well as a decrease in fatigue and an increase in energy levels.

Around this time, the pregnant person might notice a “pregnancy glow” due to improved blood circulation and hormone changes. Additionally, some women start to experience a small but noticeable bump as their uterus continues to grow.

Regular prenatal check-ups with healthcare providers help monitor the baby’s heartbeat and growth, adding to the assurance of a healthy pregnancy. That being said… if things aren’t going so well, it might be time to talk with your doctor about what changes need to happen so that you AND your little one have a happy (and healthy) pregnancy experience.

14 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

The second trimester is called the honeymoon phase of pregnancy. So you will enjoy most of the perks while still dodging some unwanted symptoms at 14 weeks pregnant.

• Because your bump is more prominent, dodging those “Are you pregnant?” questions are becoming harder to dismiss.
• Now you’re hungry again. The queasiness has probably disappeared (Yay!), and as you regain your appetite, your energy levels will increase. (This is the best news in this week-by-week pregnancy guide for you, mum!)
• You are feeling aches and pains, especially in the back and abdominal area. That is because your muscles and ligaments are stretching to accommodate your growing baby.
• Your hair is thicker and shinier–which is most definitely a pregnancy perk!
• Half of the pregnant women report having swollen, red, tender gums that bleed when flossed or brushed. Pregnancy gingivitis is a gum inflammation partly caused by hormonal changes, making your gums more sensitive to the bacteria in plaque.

14 Weeks Pregnant Bump

Should I have a bump at 14 weeks?

At 14 weeks into pregnancy, the presence or absence of a baby bump can vary widely among individuals. Factors such as body type, muscle tone, and the position of the uterus can influence whether a noticeable bump is evident.

Some women might have a small and subtle bump, while others may not have a visible bump yet. It’s important to remember that every pregnancy is unique, and the timing of when a baby bump becomes noticeable can differ.

Maternal Weight Gain

You may notice that your clothes aren’t fitting quite like they used to, or that you’re having trouble buttoning your pants. Don’t worry about that either—it’s the baby growing! Your uterus is expanding and pressing against your abdominal cavity, making it hard for your insides to keep up with the outside world. Plus, as your belly gets bigger, so do your feet and hands.

These changes are normal during this stage of pregnancy because you’re gaining weight quickly (and no one ever said being pregnant was easy). To stay comfortable during this stage of pregnancy, it’s important that you keep moving around as much as possible and drink lots of water (at least eight glasses per day).

14 Weeks Pregnant Discharge

Why is there a brown discharge when I wipe at 14 weeks pregnant?

Experiencing brown discharge at 14 weeks pregnant can be concerning, but it’s not always a cause for alarm. This discharge can be attributed to various factors, including old blood being expelled from the cervix or vaginal walls due to increased blood flow. In some cases, it might result from minor irritation after intercourse or a vaginal exam.

However, any unexpected discharge, especially if accompanied by pain, cramping, or a strong odour, should be promptly discussed with a healthcare provider. While brown discharge can be normal, it’s crucial to ensure that it’s not a sign of a more serious issue, such as infection or complications.

Nutrition

At this point, you’re probably wondering what to eat. The good news is that it’s a little easier than it was during your first trimester. That’s because, during the first three months of pregnancy, you were told to avoid many foods containing listeria, salmonella, and other harmful bacteria. Now that your immune system has matured, it’s safe for you to eat most foods.

But don’t go crazy! It would be best if you still were cautious about what you eat and how much of it.

Folate is important for your baby’s brain development, so ensure you get enough folate-rich foods like spinach and beans.

Iron is essential for your baby’s growth and development—it helps their blood cells develop correctly, which will help them grow up into healthy adults. You can meet your iron needs by eating lean red meat or lentils regularly (or both!).

Calcium is essential for your baby’s growth—it helps build strong bones and teeth. You’ll find calcium in dairy products like milk or yoghurt and leafy green vegetables like broccoli or kale.

Pregnancy Care: Your Checklist at 14 Weeks Pregnant

• To keep the backaches at bay remember to sit with your back upright; light yoga or pilates may also help ease the discomfort. Avoid any intensive exercise that could cause you to fall, especially because your joints are looser than before.
• Your appetite has returned, so switch to a healthy diet (here are some recipes) and avoid greasy, fatty food.
• With your energy and appetite levels back again, sign up for a prenatal exercise class to prepare your body for labour.
• You can also schedule a visit to your dentist to have your teeth cleaned and avoid pregnancy gingivitis.
• Now that you are beginning to show, it’s time to catch up on maternity clothing styles.
• Morning sickness has come and gone, and now you can enjoy a restful sleep. If you aren’t doing it yet, start sleeping on your side.
• Since the risk of miscarriage drops during the second trimester, your chances of having a healthy pregnancy are bigger. Go ahead and start thinking of baby names for your little one. But make sure to attend your prenatal appointments regularly to ensure your and your baby’s safety throughout your pregnancy.

Your next week: 15 weeks pregnant

Your previous week: 13 weeks pregnant

Updates from Pheona Ilagan

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