14 Weeks Pregnant: Understanding Second Trimester

At 14 weeks pregnant, you have officially entered the second trimester of your pregnancy; congratulations!

At 14 weeks pregnant, you are at month four of your pregnancy, and you only have five months left to go!

Week fourteen will bring a lot of changes, such as feeling hungrier, less nauseous, and more energetic for mom-to-be, and getting chubbier by the day, sprouting some hair for the baby!

Keep reading to find out more about what you can expect during week fourteen.

Physical Symptoms During The Fourteenth Pregnancy Week

While week fourteen of your pregnancy will bring many new pregnancy symptoms, it is very likely to take away the most dreaded one, which is nausea and morning sickness!

Here are the pregnancy symptoms that you can expect during week fourteen of your pregnancy.

• Bleeding gums
  Some of the pregnant women report that they experience swollen, red, tender gums that bleed during brushing and flossing during the fourteenth pregnancy week. Pregnancy gingivitis is a gum inflammation partly caused by hormonal changes that make your gums more sensitive, and it can lead to periodontal disease in the long run. Even though your gums are bleeding, it does not mean you should stop brushing and flossing. Try getting a softer toothbrush and keep up with healthy dental habits.
• The baby bump is starting to show
  At fourteen weeks, your pregnant belly might just be starting to show to the world as your baby grows! Looking pregnant can be quite a thrill, as it is visible evidence of the baby you are so impatiently expecting. Not showing is also completely normal at fourteen weeks pregnant.
• Round ligament pain
  You have two ligaments that stretch to accommodate the pregnancy belly on both sides of your uterus, which can cause ligament pain. This pain usually happens as a response to movement, and it can come as a dull ache or sharp pains. Changing your body positions, gently massaging the area, or taking a warm bath can help soothe the ligament pain. If you are in too much pain, make sure to mention this during your prenatal development with your healthcare provider.
• Increased appetite and weight gain
  In the second trimester, pregnancy hunger is going to start and peak, and so will the weight gain! Your body requires plenty of energy fuel at 14 weeks pregnant, as it is working hard to support your baby. As the pregnancy progresses, you will need an extra 300 to 350 calories daily in the third trimester. Make sure you are eating a balanced diet full of fresh produce, vegetables, some fruit, legumes, diary products,  white meat or fish (2-3 times per week), and nuts. However, avoid empty calories like junk food and sweet drinks.

What Happens to The Baby During Week Fourteen of Pregnancy?

At 14 weeks pregnant, baby’s development is rapid, and the baby is now about the size of a navel orange, which is about four inches long and two ounces heavy.

At 14 weeks pregnant, the baby is constantly on the move, and the movements are ballet-like, smooth, and fluid. You will not be able to feel the motions for a while, but the baby is moving regardless at 14 weeks pregnant.

At 14 weeks pregnant, the baby’s neck is getting longer, helping the baby’s head stand more erect, which means that the baby is standing up more straight. The baby looks less like an alien and more like a human as each week passes by.

At 14 weeks pregnant, the baby opens their mouth and swallows amniotic fluid.

By week fourteen of pregnancy, the baby is starting to sprout some hair, and there are even baby’s eyebrows on the horizon. As the baby accumulates some fat with time, the lanugo will disappear. However, if the baby is born early, it might still have a fuzzy coating that disappears pretty fast.

Pregnancy Checklist During The Second Trimester

There are some essential things parents-to-be need to look into starting during week fourteen of your pregnancy to keep up with the pregnancy journey. Some of them include:

• Make peace with gaining some weight
  Your baby will start growing rapidly during your second trimester, which will cause your weight to pick up and your scale to go up too. If you start your pregnancy with a normal BMI, expect to gain about 28 pounds by the due date. Only 2 to 4 pounds of overall pregnancy weight gain is usually scheduled until the 21st week.
• Find a prenatal exercise class
  If your energy levels are up again at 14 weeks pregnant, take advantage of it and move, as regular exercise and physical activity is beneficial for you and the baby and your increased energy levels. If you have been working out and staying active on your own, joining a class like prenatal yoga or water exercise can be a great way to get you motivated. If you do not have any health problems, moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week is also recommended for pregnant women.  Make sure to get approval regarding moderate exercise from your healthcare provider first, especially if this is your first pregnancy.
• Brainstorm baby names
  The start of the second trimester, which is at 14 weeks pregnant, is the perfect time to start pondering baby names. Make sure to include your parents, and ask your family and friends for some ideas. But do not worry about it too much; you are likely to change your mind about a million times before landing on your baby’s perfect name.
• Shop smart at the grocery store
  When doing your weekly grocery shopping, make sure to go for fresh ingredients and stay away from processed foods as much as you can. Fresh foods provide more minerals and vitamins, containing fewer calories, less sugar, and less salt.

What To Avoid or Begin to Avoid?

To ensure baby’s growth and prepare for the baby’s arrival, there are some things expectant parents need to avoid at 14 weeks pregnant, including:

• Smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, and being exposed to toxic substances.
• Carrying heavyweight and performing physically demanding workouts.
• Touching kitty litter or cat feces.
• Drinking an excessive amount of caffeine.
• Eating deli meats, raw or undercooked meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized dairy foods, high mercury fish such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and unwashed fruits and vegetables.
• Having close contact with anyone who has rubella, chickenpox, or the Zika virus. If you do, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
• Getting tattooed as it poses a risk of infection.