You are now 14 weeks pregnant, which is the beginning of week 15. Your baby measures about 12 cm long (or 4.7 inches) from head to toe and weighs approximately 85 grams (or 3 ounces). If your caregiver has an electronic Doppler, they may be able to listen to your baby's heartbeat now.
Your baby's placenta is now fully functional but remains larger than the baby (until about 16 weeks). The placenta supplies your baby with oxygen, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals as well as removing carbon dioxide and waste materials, by filtering them through the placental tissues attached to the uterus. This intricate process of diffusion makes these exchanges possible because the tiny blood vessels of mother and baby are incredibly close together, yet remarkably always separate.
The placenta is not a barrier, as once thought. It allows most substances in the mother's blood stream to cross over into the baby's blood stream. These include alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, natural remedies, medications, drugs and viruses, possibly affecting the baby's growth and development (depending on what stage the pregnancy is at).
Physical changes
What is my body doing at fourteen weeks pregnant?
Welcome to trimester two! This is the time most pregnant women enjoy the most and there’s a few reasons why. You’ll probably feeling a bit more like your pre-pregnant self, the morning sickness should have eased off and your breasts (hopefully) aren’t quite as tender.
Even better, this week, you’ll probably start noticing that cute baby bump. Your uterus is finally rising out of the pelvic region and into your low abdomen. You’ll have started producing more blood from the beginning of your pregnancy, but from around now, they’ll be more blood cells as well as fluid in the blood stream. This can cause swelling, so you might notice your rings feel tighter and your legs and ankles look like you’ve been on a long-haul flight. Now is not the time to do a Kim Kardashian – ditch those uncomfortable strappy shoes and if you can, avoid stranding for too long and try and raise your feet above your heart for at least an hour a day.
For some women, around this time of their pregnancy they’ll experience round ligament pain. This is a fancy way of saying pregnancy growing pains, which will feel like achy or sharp pains on one or both sides of the abdomen. This is normal, and is caused by the ligaments supporting your womb stretching and thinning out to accommodate the increasing weight. You’ll probably only notice it when you’re getting up, stretching or twisting and the best way to get some relief is by putting your feet up in a comfortable position.
Common symptoms to look out for:
The pelvic floor is a layered sheet of muscles that stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone, at the front of the pelvis, to the tail bone at the back. These muscles control the passing urine, opening your bowels as well as supporting internal organs, including your growing uterus and baby. During pregnancy progesterone relaxes and weakens the pelvic floor, so every woman needs to do pelvic floor exercises to help support and strengthen these muscles.
- Twins, triplets or moreIf you are having more than one baby - congratulations! Be aware that essentially multiple pregnancies progress in much the same way as singleton pregnancies.
What you should be doing this week
What will my week 14 pregnant belly look like?
Good news, you’ll probably get the first signs of a baby bump this week! Your uterus is rising out of the pelvic region and up into your abdomen.
How much should my baby be moving at 14 weeks?
You probably still won’t be able to feel any movement at week 14, but by now, your baby is moving constantly. The movements are now much smoother and more fluid compared to the early jerky movements we mentioned a few weeks ago.
Is it normal to get cramps at 14 weeks?
Yes, round ligament pain is very common and is nothing to worry about. It’s caused by the ligaments supporting your uterus stretching and thinning.
Your baby's placenta is now fully functional but remains larger than the baby (until about 16 weeks). The placenta supplies your baby with oxygen, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals as well as removing carbon dioxide and waste materials, by filtering them through the placental tissues attached to the uterus. This intricate process of diffusion makes these exchanges possible because the tiny blood vessels of mother and baby are incredibly close together, yet remarkably always separate.
The placenta is not a barrier, as once thought. It allows most substances in the mother's blood stream to cross over into the baby's blood stream. These include alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, natural remedies, medications, drugs and viruses, possibly affecting the baby's growth and development (depending on what stage the pregnancy is at).
Physical changes
Your baby's placenta now produces most of the pregnancy hormones, in particular progesterone, which is responsible for many common physical changes during pregnancy. These include increased skin pigmentation, lowering the blood pressure, increasing constipation and possibly causing bleeding gums or nose bleeds.
- Metallic taste
- Metallic taste
Some women complain of different taste sensations during pregnancy, particularly a metallic-type taste. This physical change is not often formally recognised by medical caregivers. However, natural therapists believe it could be the body releasing toxins through the lymphatic system (your lymph glands transport and produce your body's defence mechanisms against infection). Others believe it is the body's reaction to being run down with stress, or the result of more physical demands being placed on a woman's body during pregnancy.
- Cravings
Many women talk about having weird and wonderful food cravings during pregnancy. These are very normal and may come and go, lasting for a few days to a few weeks, or longer.
What is my body doing at fourteen weeks pregnant?
Welcome to trimester two! This is the time most pregnant women enjoy the most and there’s a few reasons why. You’ll probably feeling a bit more like your pre-pregnant self, the morning sickness should have eased off and your breasts (hopefully) aren’t quite as tender.
Even better, this week, you’ll probably start noticing that cute baby bump. Your uterus is finally rising out of the pelvic region and into your low abdomen. You’ll have started producing more blood from the beginning of your pregnancy, but from around now, they’ll be more blood cells as well as fluid in the blood stream. This can cause swelling, so you might notice your rings feel tighter and your legs and ankles look like you’ve been on a long-haul flight. Now is not the time to do a Kim Kardashian – ditch those uncomfortable strappy shoes and if you can, avoid stranding for too long and try and raise your feet above your heart for at least an hour a day.
For some women, around this time of their pregnancy they’ll experience round ligament pain. This is a fancy way of saying pregnancy growing pains, which will feel like achy or sharp pains on one or both sides of the abdomen. This is normal, and is caused by the ligaments supporting your womb stretching and thinning out to accommodate the increasing weight. You’ll probably only notice it when you’re getting up, stretching or twisting and the best way to get some relief is by putting your feet up in a comfortable position.
Common symptoms to look out for:
- Catching a cold: Just when a few of your symptoms started to ease off, the second trimester brings a whole host of new ones to worry about! One of these is being more susceptible to colds and flu. At the moment, your immune system is weaker, but this is a good thing as it stops your body from rejecting your foetus. On the other hand, this makes you more likely to pick up bugs, so be sure to wash your hands and carry hand sanitiser whenever you go. If you do feel like you are coming down with something, get in touch with your GP as soon as you can.
- Continued breast growth: They’re finally feeling less tender, but they are still growing It’s totally normal for your areolas to darken and your nipples to look different. Now might also be a good time to invest in a maternity bra to keep them comfy.
- Increased appetite: Now you’ve stopped feeling so sick, you feel constantly hungry. Remember to continue to eat healthy meals throughout the day, and avoid binging on sugary snacks, no matter how much your baby is craving them!
- Varicose veins: These are large, swollen blood vessels which show up on your legs. Although they might not look too nice, they are caused by the extra blood your body is producing to look after your baby. Minimise the appearance of these veins by keeping the blood circulating round your body by walking throughout the day.
- Stuffy nose: The high levels of oestrogen and progesterone cause the mucous membranes in the body (including the nose) to swell and soften. This can leave you with a stuffy nose, but rest assured, it’s normal.
Emotional reactions
Pregnancy involves changes in a woman's sexuality as much as it does her body and emotions. Changes may also be apparent in your partner's sexuality and the way they perceive your body and the growing baby. How you and your partner feel about these changes, and how you feel about making love together, can affect your relationship. Depending on your expectations, your individual feelings may deepen your relationship, or in some cases place an added strain on it.
You may notice a renewed interest in making love, possibly because you are feeling physically better and more energetic and perhaps less concerned about miscarriage.
For a few women, pregnancy brings feelings of depression, which may be something that has continued from before the pregnancy, or perhaps being felt for the first time while pregnant. Antenatal depression is becoming much more recognised these days.
Other considerations
You may notice a renewed interest in making love, possibly because you are feeling physically better and more energetic and perhaps less concerned about miscarriage.
For a few women, pregnancy brings feelings of depression, which may be something that has continued from before the pregnancy, or perhaps being felt for the first time while pregnant. Antenatal depression is becoming much more recognised these days.
Other considerations
- Travelling while pregnant
Many women travel as part of their job or for recreation. In some cases, a trip is planned to be home, or nearer to family and/or friends for the birth. Essentially, travelling during pregnancy is not a problem, but there are a few precautions to be mindful of, especially when travelling long distances.
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Pelvic floor exercises
The pelvic floor is a layered sheet of muscles that stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone, at the front of the pelvis, to the tail bone at the back. These muscles control the passing urine, opening your bowels as well as supporting internal organs, including your growing uterus and baby. During pregnancy progesterone relaxes and weakens the pelvic floor, so every woman needs to do pelvic floor exercises to help support and strengthen these muscles.
- Twins, triplets or moreIf you are having more than one baby - congratulations! Be aware that essentially multiple pregnancies progress in much the same way as singleton pregnancies.
What you should be doing this week
- Book that pregnancy fitness class: Hopefully, the start of trimester two will bring that boost in energy we’ve been talking about for the past few weeks. If you feel up to it, take advantage and sign up to a pregnancy fitness class.
- Do those pelvic floor exercises: These are the muscles that support your bladder, bowel and womb. Now you have a growing baby, the extra weight puts pressure on those muscles, so it’s vital that they remain strong. Make exercising those muscles part of your daily routine.
Is it normal to gain weight at 14 weeks pregnant?
Yes, in fact, your weight gain will really kick off during this trimester. It’s normal to gain as much as four pounds a month for the remainder of your pregnancy.
Yes, in fact, your weight gain will really kick off during this trimester. It’s normal to gain as much as four pounds a month for the remainder of your pregnancy.
What will my week 14 pregnant belly look like?
Good news, you’ll probably get the first signs of a baby bump this week! Your uterus is rising out of the pelvic region and up into your abdomen.
How much should my baby be moving at 14 weeks?
You probably still won’t be able to feel any movement at week 14, but by now, your baby is moving constantly. The movements are now much smoother and more fluid compared to the early jerky movements we mentioned a few weeks ago.
Is it normal to get cramps at 14 weeks?
Yes, round ligament pain is very common and is nothing to worry about. It’s caused by the ligaments supporting your uterus stretching and thinning.
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