Your baby at week fourteen of pregnancy
Your baby is now the size of a lemon. He or she has grown eyebrows and gained their own unique finger prints! Gone are the uncontrolled jerky motions of his or her movements which are now far more fluid and constant! Your baby is much stronger and far more active, although you won’t be able to feel these movements until between weeks sixteen and twenty five (if you’re a second time mum you will probably feel these movements earlier, around week thirteen, because you will recognize the feeling). Your little one’s mouth is now able to open and close and makes sucking and swallowing motions, giving the facial muscles the exercise they need to develop further. Also now developed and more advanced is the oesophagus, wind-pipe, larynx and vocal cords. Your baby’s intestines have moved from the umbilical cord to your baby’s abdomen, and this week a baby boy’s prostate is forming and a baby girl’s ovaries are moving down to her pelvis.
Your body at week fourteen of pregnancy
By now your uterus should be expanding outwards, and you should be starting to show a bump! Now that your womb is moving outwards, the pressure will be relieved from your digestive system and bladder – less frequent trips to the bathroom! Right now you are more susceptible than ever to colds and viruses, because your body has suppressed your immune system to prevent your body from rejecting your fetus. Progesterone is causing a condition known as pregnancy rhinitis which is due to increased blood flow to the nasal glands that produce mucus. Mucus also protects you and your body by trapping and removing pathogens you may have inhaled, so although annoying, during this period of lowered immune system this is useful. This nasal congestion could cause snoring and minor nose bleeds, which are nothing to worry about unless the bleeding gets heavy or doesn’t stop, if this happens, seek medical attention.
What you may be feeling at week fourteen of pregnancy
Hopefully your queasiness has subsided and your appetite has returned, although some women may continue to feel sick frequently throughout their pregnancy. Due to all the changes and developments your body is going through, you may be experiencing ‘pregnancy brain’, which might make you feel a bit forgetful and vague. Take it easy! This is normal for a woman in your condition.
Common symptoms at week fourteen of pregnancy
- Decreasing nausea and vomiting
- Breast discomfort and tenderness
- Dizziness
- Decrease in fluctuating emotions
- Heartburn or constipation
- Food aversions or cravings may continue
- Increased energy
- Clumsiness
Tips for week fourteen of pregnancy
- Use this time of increased energy to keep mobile; most exercise you have done before you were pregnant will be fine but check with your doctor. It is very important for a healthy pregnancy to keep active unless you have a medical complication that prevent you.
- Moles on your skin can enlarge and change shape during pregnancy which is not uncommon however it is always advisable to have any changes checked by a doctor.
If you have any symptoms that concern you it is important to consult your doctor as soon as you can.