14 Weeks Pregnant

14 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development

Your little one is trying out some new moves this week! Your baby’s eyes are starting to move, and those little legs and arms are starting to flex. These movements also allow your baby to practice the important skill of moving hands to mouth.

The senses of smell and taste are also developing, and your baby’s skin is thickening too. You’ll have to wait and see if your baby will be born with a full head of hair or not, but right now, hair follicles are forming under the surface of the skin.

With each passing week, your baby is looking more and more like the little person you'll meet the day you give birth. By now (or very soon), the genitals are fully developed, but it’s still too early to know whether you’re having a boy or a girl.

The Size of the Fetus at 14 Weeks Pregnant

At 14 weeks, the fetus is roughly the size of a nectarine. Around this time, the average fetus weighs about 450 grams and can measure up to 8.9 cm long, crown to rump.

It can be hard to visualize what’s going on inside your belly, to help you get a bit more of idea, check out the illustration below.

Mom’s Body at 14 Weeks Pregnant

You’ve finally reached the second trimester!

Around this time you may start showing – although every mom-to-be and every pregnancy is unique so it may happen a little earlier or later for you. Initially you may just feel that your jeans are a little snug. If you’re not showing yet, that’s OK too! It could be just weeks away. Read up on when do you start showing for more.

Soon, your healthcare provider may start to note the size of your belly and uterus at each prenatal visit by measuring the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus (the fundus).

During your pregnancy, your uterus is growing upward out of the pelvic area, and generally this measurement helps your provider track your baby’s growth.

The second trimester is often referred to as the “honeymoon” period of pregnancy. This is because some of the pesky early pregnancy symptoms may start to subside and many moms-to-be experience some positives, including:

• Increased energy. During the second trimester, many moms-to-be find that they feel a surge of energy. If this is what's happening with you, it’s probably a nice change from the exhaustion that may have plagued you during your first trimester. Later on, especially in your third trimester, you may feel a bit larger and less energetic, so take advantage of this time to get things done.

• Beautiful hair. It isn’t your imagination! During pregnancy, many women experience thicker hair that might grow a bit faster than usual. It’s one of the physical changes you may really enjoy this trimester!

If you’re wondering how many months along you are at 14 weeks pregnant, the answer is that you’re likely 4 months pregnant.

14 Weeks Pregnant: Your Symptoms

At 14 weeks pregnant, here are some of the symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Leaky breasts. You may start to notice that your breasts are leaking a thick, yellow substance. This is colostrum, the liquid that nourishes your baby in the first few days after birth before your breast milk comes in. Though the leakage might startle you at first, it is completely normal. You can use cotton breast pads to absorb any leaking fluid.

• Sinus congestion. It could be due to allergies or a cold, or it might be another symptom of pregnancy. If your nose often feels stuffed-up, making it difficult to breathe, it could be due to the hormone progesterone, which increases circulation to the mucous membranes of the nose, causing them to swell. This condition is called pregnancy rhinitis, and unfortunately there's not much you can do to make it go away. Staying hydrated can help you feel a bit better, and you can also try using a humidifier or dabbing a little petroleum jelly around each nostril to make your nose less dry. Saline drops or a saline rinse may also help.

• Increased appetite. Finally! Nausea might be a thing of the past by now, and you may feel quite a bit hungrier than you have in a while. Go ahead and chow down, but try to stick to a healthy, balanced diet. Most women whose weight was in the normal range before pregnancy only need to consume an additional 300 calories per day (600 more if you’re carrying twins). A normal range can mean having a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9. 

• Leg cramps. In the second trimester, some women experience lower leg cramps that often strike at night. You can help keep these cramps at bay by stretching before bed and staying hydrated. If you do feel sharp pains in your calves, try massaging the muscle or taking a warm shower or bath.

14 Weeks Pregnant: Things to Consider

• Have you visited the dentist recently? If not, schedule a checkup and cleaning. Your teeth and gums need special attention during pregnancy to avoid gingivitis and periodontal disease.

• Watch out for germs! Your body’s immune response changes during pregnancy and if you come down with a cold or the flu, it could hit you harder than usual. Make sure you get a flu shot, and be extra-vigilant about washing your hands, practicing good hygiene in general, and avoiding sick people.

• Have you thought about childbirth classes yet? Now is a great time to research available options in your area, so read more about how to find the right childbirth class for you.

• Are you planning a second trimester babymoon? You’re not alone! Many parents-to-be take the opportunity to get away before the bigger belly and the nearing due date makes travel harder in the third trimester. It’s always safest to speak to your healthcare provider before booking a holiday, and if you’re planning to fly it’s best to check the airline’s policies on flying while pregnant. Read our pregnancy travel guide for more on this topic.

• If you are 14 weeks pregnant with twins, you may be wondering how your pregnancy might be different in terms of symptoms, weight gain, and other things. Find out more about twin pregnancy symptoms during this trimester, and ask your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.

14 Weeks Pregnant: Ask Your Doctor

• Is your weight gain healthy and on track? Your healthcare provider can help you establish the right weight gain goals based on your BMI and other individual factors. 

• What activities can you add to your exercise routine, and is there anything you should avoid in the second trimester?

• Can you use the same over-the-counter medicines you’re used to if you’re feeling a little sick?

• Are there any genetic tests recommended for you during the second trimester? What are the risks and benefits of each?

• Is a nuchal translucency ultrasound recommended?

14 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist

• Search for a childbirth class in your area, and register.

• Schedule a dental appointment if you haven’t already.

• Ready to share your good news? Download and print one of our pregnancy announcement cards to share the news with your nearest and dearest!

• If you have a little spare time, read up on prenatal care in the second trimester.