14 weeks pregnant

2 weeks into the second trimester, your pregnancy is progressing very good! With some pesky pregnancy symptoms at bay, you're on your way to feeling better than before. Soon you will notice bodily changes, and you might finally start feeling pregnant (if you haven't felt it yet). With your baby's development advancing, he is trying out some new moves. Want to know more? Keep reading!

Your Baby at 14 Weeks

At 14 weeks, your foetus is about the size of an orange, measuring about 3 to 3.5 inches in height and weighing between 45 and 80 gms. To help you understand what's going inside your belly this week, here's a small sneak peek:

Teeny-tiny movements

Your 14 weeks pregnant baby moves almost constantly, and these movements are far from those jerky flutters of the last trimester. But you won't feel those twitches until weeks. Your baby's neck is becoming longer, providing support to keep her head erect. This gives the foetus a more straightened-out look.

Hair and lanugo

Hair is growing on your baby's head, and his eyebrows are filling in too. However, hair isn't limited to just his head. His body will now be covered in a coating of lanugo that will disappear after her birth. Lanugo's task is to provide warmth to your baby, which will then be taken care of by the fat that your baby puts on.

Facial expressions

Your tiny tot will now be frowning, squinting, making a pucker inside your womb. However, these expressions won't be visible yet.

Bowel movement

Your baby's intestines are working hard, and they've also begun producing meconium, a waste that makes up your little one's first bowel movement after birth. The liver is also producing bile.

14 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Hey mom-to-be, good news! At around this stage, you may start showing. However, as every pregnancy is unique, it may also happen a little earlier or later for you. So, if you're not showing yet, it's okay – your baby bump is just weeks away. The second trimester is considered the honeymoon period, thanks to some of the pesky symptoms that are now subsiding. If you're wondering what you will be experiencing, then here's your answer:

Energy boost

Many expecting women a surge of energy. If you experience it, too, it's a good change from all the fatigue that may have plagued you in the first trimester. But don't take this time for granted, as in the third trimester, the morning sickness and fatigue may make a comeback. So, enjoy and utilise this time to decorate your baby's nursery, plan a baby shower, shop for baby essentials, etc. Also, make sure to take care of yourself and rest.

Thicker hair

Beautiful hair - no longer a dream! Most expecting moms experience hair that is thick and grows faster.

Leaky breasts

You may notice a thick, yellow fluid leaking from your breasts. This fluid is a colostrum that will help nourish your baby in the first few days after her birth. Don't be worried about the leakage; it's completely normal. Use cotton breast pads to avoid any discomfort.

Sinus congestion

You might experience sinus congestion due to allergies, cold or another pregnancy symptom. Your nose might feel stuffed up, and it may become difficult to breathe. This could be due to progesterone that increases blood circulation to the mucous membranes of your nose, causing them to swell. It is known as pregnancy rhinitis. Stay hydrated to feel a bit better. Use a humidifier or dab some petroleum jelly around each nostril to prevent your nose from drying out. You can also try saline drops or a saline rinse.

Increased appetite

You have finally bid adieu to nausea, and now you might feel hungrier than usual. Try to stick to a healthy, balanced diet. If your weight was in the normal range before pregnancy, then you only need to consume an additional 300 calories per day. If you're carrying twins, then make it 600. Normal range refers to a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9.

Leg cramps

You may experience lower leg cramps, especially at night. Try stretching before bed and staying hydrated to help keep these cramps at bay. In case of sharp pains in your calves, massage the muscles or take a warm shower or bath.

14 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

Whether travel plans or other bodily concerns, here's everything you need to consider this week:

• Dental check-up: Don't forget to schedule an appointment with your dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning. During pregnancy, your teeth and gums need special attention to prevent periodontal disease and gingivitis.

• Fight the germs: During pregnancy, your body's immune response changes. If you catch a cold or the flu, it could trouble you more than usual. Don't skip the flu shot, and make sure you wash your hands, avoid meeting sick people, and practice good hygiene in general.

• Childbirth classes: If you haven't already enrolled in one, now is a great time. Research about good childbirth classes in your area.

• Plan a babymoon: Take this opportunity and enjoy some time together with your partner before your little one arrives. Plan a weekend getaway or a small vacation-like babymoon to your favourite place or a spot nearby. Make sure to speak to your doctor before planning a holiday. Also, check the airline's policy on flying when pregnant if you're planning to travel by air.

• Travel safety: In case of road travel, limit sitting the car for not more than 6 hours a day and make sure to fasten your seatbelt. Before booking a stay, check for the availability of medical care on spot. In case of air travel, avoid sitting for longer durations; walk the aisle every 90 to 120 minutes to stretch your legs.

• Twin pregnancy: If you are carrying twins, numerous thoughts regarding your pregnancy in terms of symptoms, weight gain, and other things might be circling your brain. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice and guidance. You can also read our article to learn more about twin pregnancy and its symptoms.

Precautions & Tips at 14th Week of Pregnancy

Here are some precautionary tips that you might need to consider this week:

• Skin changes: Thanks to your pregnancy hormones, you may develop moles on your skin. It is best to get them evaluated by your doctor.

• Enjoy the energy boost: With your second trimester comes a surge of energy. Enjoy it to the fullest. Get up and use the time to practice light to moderate exercise to thwart the risk of gestational diabetes.

• Gain weight: In your second trimester, you should start gaining weight. So, before pregnancy, if your weight was normal, you'd gain a total of about 6 to 6.5 kgs. Make sure to keep an eye on the weighing scale and try weighing yourself at the same time every day, wearing the same clothes.

• Remember to eat: If you are one of those would-be moms who forget to eat after two-hourly intervals, then we've got the hack for you. Set an alarm for every two-hour intervals and put up "Have you fed your baby?" notes at places you spend a lot of time —your dashboard, kitchen, computer screen, and TV screen. If you're still feeling queasy, keep in mind that nausea can actually become worse on an empty stomach. So, make sure you fill your tummy slowly. Start with water, smoothies, soups, and fruit juices, then go for solids once your tender tummy can handle them.

• Skip the tattoos: Although hardly any ink or its particles will enter your bloodstream, there is always a risk of infection when you get stuck with a needle. When you're trying to stay healthy for two, it is not a good risk to take. However, pre-existing tattoos are not a problem.

• Choose cool, loose clothes: Due to a metabolism boost during pregnancy, you might feel hotter than usual in summers. Make sure you wear loose, stretchable, and comfortable clothes, especially cotton ones. For workouts, choose a sports bra that offers plenty of support and doesn't pinch the skin while exercising. Replace your sneakers if they've turned old to minimise injury or falls.

• Shop smart: While grocery shopping, choose fresh foods that provide more vitamins and minerals naturally and contain less salt, sugar, fat, calories, and additives than processed foods.

• Breathe a little easier: The fourteenth week of pregnancy brings relief, as the risk of miscarriage drops significantly. While some would-be-parents might still feel the anxiety until they hold their healthy baby in their arms, this is a crucial step to reaching that point. If you are worried all the time, share your concerns with your doctor.

• Get some exercise: Now is a good time to exercise and stay active. Unless your doctor asks you not to, exercising is safe and healthy during pregnancy. It reduces the risk of complications in your pregnancy, like caesarean section and gestational diabetes. Moreover, it helps in postpartum recovery.

14 Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Doctor

Here are some questions to ask your doctor at the upcoming visit:

• What is considered as healthy and on-track weight gain? Your doctor may help you create the right weight gain plan based on your BMI and other factors.

• What activities are safe to be added to your exercise routine?

• What should you avoid in the second trimester?

• Is it safe to take the same over-the-counter medicines that you used when feeling a little sick?

• What genetic tests are recommended for me during the second trimester?

• Do these genetic tests have any risks and benefits?

• Should I get a nuchal translucency ultrasound done?

Track your baby's development with our week-by-week expert tips on pregnancy.