14 Weeks Pregnant

14 Weeks Pregnant: the 14th Week of Pregnancy

Congratulations! The 14th week of pregnancy means you have begun your second trimester. Here is a list of pointers to help get you through pregnancy week 14. Get the Fetal Life App for Apple and Android endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.

How is your body changing at 14 weeks pregnant?

Maternity clothes may be a necessity for some people at this point, while others may be able to postpone the inevitable by either borrowing their partner’s clothes or using rubber bands and safety pins to enlarge the waistbands. There are also pregnancy bands available to help let out your waistbands. The way that your body responds to this pregnancy depends on if you have been pregnant before and how your body changed during previous pregnancies. Generally,  in subsequent pregnancies your body tends to accommodate your growing baby and uterus faster, causing you to show earlier.

How big is your baby?

Your baby is now over 4 inches (10 cm) long and weighs just a little less than 2 ounces (.05 kg).

What is happening with your baby?

Your baby is continuing to grow and mature at this point. Your baby’s arms are going to begin to lengthen and become more proportioned to the rest of the body. The liver is beginning to produce bile, while the spleen is beginning to produce red blood cells. The development of your baby’s brain enables the facial muscles to grimace, frown, and squint. Your baby may even be sucking his/her thumb. Because you have begun the second trimester and most of the critical development has been completed, the chance of miscarriage decreases.

What should you plan for this week?

You may begin feeling extremely moody at this point of your pregnancy. Don’t worry; mood swings are common during pregnancy. You may be excited about being pregnant, but you may also feel stressed or overwhelmed. You may begin asking yourself questions such as:

  • Will I be a good parent?
  • How am I going to manage financially?
  • Will my baby be healthy?
  • Am I doing the right things to prepare for my baby?

Pregnancy is a life-changing event filled with all types of physical and emotional changes. Show yourself some grace, and take one step at a time. Make sure to take care of yourself, and learn some healthy ways to cope with stress.

Tips for making your pregnancy better:

You may have noticed that you have moles for the first time in your life. Or you may have noticed that your moles have begun to change during your pregnancy. While these changes can be pregnancy-related, it is still wise to have new moles or changing moles evaluated by a healthcare provider, especially if they are an odd shape or color.

Tips for mom’s partner:

During this early time in pregnancy, many women struggle with feeling tired most of the time. Your partner may need to take a nap when she gets home from work or running errands. If you have other children in the house, play with them so she can have some quiet time to nap. She will greatly appreciate this thoughtful gesture. If you really want to make her happy, you could surprise her by having dinner taken care of when she wakes up!

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