14 Weeks Pregnancy? – Check for All Dos and Don’ts Now!

Pregnancy is a very happy moment in every woman’s life. It is essential to know about the week by week development of the foetus. After 13 weeks of pregnancy, your belly may pop out a little since the uterus has outgrown the pelvic bone. This marks the beginning of the second trimester i.e. 14 weeks pregnancy.

By this time, you’ll start feeling better now as the early pregnancy symptoms will reduce drastically. You’ll feel more active and energetic. In the uterus, the baby will continue to grow and its body will start getting in proportion. The facial features will also look more defined now.
This is the beginning of all the curiosity for you as a parent. By now you need a checklist of all dos and don’ts. In this article, you will get to know most of them. Here you can find answers to the most curious questions. So, let’s get started!

Symptoms of 14 Weeks Pregnant

What are the symptoms of the 14th week pregnancy?
Below mentioned are a few of the symptoms –

• Feel Energised – You will feel more energetic than in earlier weeks of pregnancy. This is because your pregnancy symptoms are reducing and the hormones are settling down.
• Increased Appetite – Your appetite will improve gradually as nausea and vomiting reduce. Aim to consume extra 300 calories approximately every day. Eat healthy, balanced, and nutritious meals. Do not indulge in street foods, fast foods, but can opt for it occasionally.
• Pains and Aches – You may experience pain and aches in your ligaments and muscles since they are stretching to accommodate the growing foetus.
• Visible Veins – The blue streaks on your skin that appear are called varicose veins.  Increased blood flow is the reason for this vein’s visibility.
• Increased Progesterone and Estrogen – The increased levels of progesterone and estrogen cause the swelling and softening of mucus membranes in the body. This can make your nose feel stuffy.
• Colostrum – Do not worry if you observe some yellow stains on your bra. They are drops of colostrum which is the first milk produced by the mother. Breasts may start producing milk from 14 weeks onwards. Use absorbent breast pads to save yourself from leakage.
• Shiny Hair – Some women experience their hair getting shinier and thicker.

Common Problems of 14 Weeks Pregnancy

What are the common problems you will experience in 14th week of pregnancy?
At this stage, many early symptoms will get replaced.

• You may not feel vomiting or nauseous feeling.
• One can experience haemorrhoids and constipation.
• Constipation occurs since the hormones affect the digestive system. This leads to the problem of swollen blood vessels near the anal area which are called haemorrhoids.

The solution to the symptoms–

• Eat foods that are rich in fibre.
• Increase water intake and other healthy drinks.
• You can also take a warm water shower or apply some ice to the anal area to reduce the haemorrhoid pain. If you have any doubts or questions you must not hesitate to call the doctor.

List of Precautions for 14 Weeks Pregnant 

What precautions you should take during week 14 of pregnancy?
Here are some of the precautionary measures –

• Caffeine – Avoid caffeine as it can cause many birth defects or premature birth. Its intake is to be minimised to 200 mg per day which comes to up to 2 cups a day. Caffeine may be present in certain other food items like chocolates. Start with the habit of reading labels.
• Alcohol – It is not recommended to drink alcohol as it is very injurious to health during pregnancy. It can hamper the foetus growth or cause birth defects like foetal alcohol syndrome.
•  Smoke -Stop smoking as it can be even life-threatening for the foetus. It can decrease the birth weight, because of many health risks, cause developmental problems or infections in the foetus, decrease immunity, etc. It can also cause sudden infant death syndrome.

Here are some of the warnings –

• Since the environment temperature is higher than the normal temperature of the body, you must avoid going to saunas or hot tubs.
• X-rays can affect the growth and development of your baby. So, avoid taking treatments which include exposure to radiation or X-ray, etc.
• If you are on certain medicines for pre-existing diseases then you should talk to your doctor. He will suggest to you if it is ok to safely consume them during pregnancy or change it.
• Start doing exercise regularly – brisk walks, jogging, swimming, or yoga are the best options. Start with pelvic muscle exercises now will help you in less stress-free normal delivery. Ask your doctor about the recommended exercises for you.

Baby Growth and Development during 14 Weeks Pregnancy

 How is your baby growing and developing during 14^th week pregnancy?

• Baby will develop a lot of brain impulses where it will begin to frown, squint, pee, and also start to suck his thumb. The baby starts to form expressions which give its facial muscles a nice workout.
• The Baby’s kidneys start to produce urine which is released into the amniotic fluid. This process will go on until birth.
• The body is growing at a rapid pace than his head. The head is on a distinct neck now.
• The arms will grow in proportion to the rest of the body by end of this week. The legs are growing to its length. Baby will start to punch and kick but you won’t be able to feel it.
• Baby starts to develop a very fine covering of hair all over the body which is called lanugo.
• The liver will start to make bile juice by week 14 of pregnancy. This is a sign that the liver is doing its job well.
• The genitalia will begin to get more defined and in few more weeks, your doctor will let you know only if gender reveal before birth is legal in your country.

Baby Size in 14 Weeks Pregnancy

What is a baby size in 14th week of pregnancy?
In 14th week of pregnancy, your baby is approximately 8.7 cm long and is the size of a lemon.

Parental Care in 14 Weeks of Pregnancy

What parental care is needed during the 14th week of pregnancy?

• In this week which is the beginning of the second trimester, the foetus will continue growing. This will cause the uterus to expand thereby displacing other abdominal organs like the stomach. This will cause discomforts such as indigestion, heartburn, and flatulence.
• Growing tummy also means that you can’t fit in your old clothes and it is time to shop for new maternity wear.
• Always be mindful of your diet and what you are eating. By this time your appetite may increase and weight gain will be prominent. Make sure you don’t overstuff yourselves. Eat a very balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains, etc. Drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated.
• Beware gaining too much weight and no exercise makes the labour difficult. This may cause problems for the baby. It will be also difficult to lose that weight post-delivery.

Changes in feelings in 14 Weeks Pregnant 

How will you feel during the 14th week of pregnancy?
In 14 weeks of pregnancy, you should be feeling better. This is because all the troublesome symptoms reduce. You may also feel very energetic and relaxed. The belly will be slightly bigger but you will feel relatively comfortable.

Changes in 14th Week of Pregnancy

What changes you will experience during week 14 of pregnancy?
In week 14 of pregnancy, the changes will be good ones. The morning sickness will be gone by now. You will feel that you have got your pre-pregnancy energy back. It is best to restart your exercise regime now. Your belly may also pop out a little. Now you may begin to wear comfortable maternity clothes.

Change in Look During Week 14 of Pregnancy

How will you look like during the 14th week of pregnancy?
This week you may start to flaunt your cute baby bump. The uterus is rising out from the pelvic area. It outgrows itself into the abdominal region. In the 14th week of pregnancy, you will begin to gain weight gradually. This weight gain will be mostly in the hips, waist, and breasts. You may start to wear maternity clothing from this week onwards.

Recommended Diet Plan for 14 Weeks Pregnancy

What should you eat during the 14th week of pregnancy?
Consider the following food items in your diet –

• Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Your body and the baby will need essential fatty acids. It is required for the development of the brain, nerves, and eyes, etc. Also lowers the risk of low birth weight, premature labour, mental retardation. Make sure that your diet has a sufficient amount of omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids. Freshwater fish, nuts, and olive oil are the rich source of fatty acids.
• Folic Acid – Include foods rich in iron and folic acid. Your body needs to produce 3-6 extra litres of blood during pregnancy. A diet rich in iron helps in making extra blood. Folic acid saves the baby from birth defects, neural tube defects, etc. Take folic acid and iron supplements as recommended by your doctor. You can also include natural sources of folic acid in your diet e.g. Beetroot, broccoli, etc.
• Calcium – Your body and the baby would need a high amount of calcium. It is required for healthy bone development in baads1bies. The growing foetus uses calcium reserves from the mother’s body. Less calcium intake can cause problems like osteoporosis in the future. So make sure to have 2 glasses of milk or around 500 gm of curd. These will act as a good supplementation to your calcium tablets. E.g. Milk and milk products. Make sure that they are pasteurised. The doctor will prescribe a calcium pill and vitamin D to you.
• Vitamin D – Get your daily intake of Vitamin D from foods such as light tuna, salmon, egg yolk, fish liver oil, fortified milk, etc. You can also derive vitamin D by getting exposure to sunlight.
• Fibrous foods – You must consume a lot of fibrous foods which will give you relief from constipation like symptoms. Eat high fibre foods such as oats, spinach, whole grains, etc. Also, drink a lot of water because fibrous foods absorb moisture from the body during digestion. Fruits comprise loads of minerals, vitamins, fibre, and water content. They provide healthy calories to the body. So, eat a lot of fresh fruits during pregnancy.
• Meat/Eggs – Include meat and meat products in your diet. Keep in mind that it has to be cooked thoroughly. Raw and undercooked meat can carry pathogenic microorganisms which can cause food intoxication. If you are tempted to eat in restaurants, choose to go to your regular, tried, and tested ones and do not experiment.
• Balanced Diet – Include all food groups in your pregnancy diet plan such as whole grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Which food you should avoid during the 14th week of pregnancy?
Here is a list of foods that must be avoided during week 14 of pregnancy –

• Unpasteurised Milk – Do not consume unpasteurised milk products that may harbour harmful pathogens. So avoid soft cheese like Brie, Camembert, etc, unpasteurised milk.
• Uncooked Meat/Eggs – Do not consume undercooked or raw meat, seafood, eggs, etc. since they contain disease-causing microorganisms.
• Seafood – Don’t eat seafood with toxic compounds like mercury. This can be very dangerous for the growth of the baby.
• Refined flour or Maida – It is difficult to digest and can cause constipation and haemorrhoids. So avoid Maida products like noodles, pizza, samosas, momos, etc. Instead, opt for whole grain or multigrain flours.
• Street foods, fast foods – Though this food look tempting you cannot guarantee the hygiene of the kitchen, containers, and foodstuff. It can cause water-borne infections like typhoid or cause food poisoning. Opt for homemade chaats, pizza, burgers, etc.
• Dry fruits – Avoid eating too much of dry fruits as they are very rich and warm by nature. It can induce contractions.

Sex During 14th Week of Pregnancy

Is it safe to have sex during the 14th week of pregnancy?
Sometimes, the doctor refrains to-be-parents from having sex. So, do not attempt intercourse as it can harm the baby. But otherwise, having sex during pregnancy week 14 is completely safe.  Make sure you and your partner don’t have sexually transmitted diseases. Also if you have any history of preterm labour or miscarriage then you must talk to your doctor.

Doctor consultation in 14th Week of Pregnancy

Do I need to visit the doctor in the 14th week of pregnancy?

This week you may be between your scheduled doctor’s appointments. That doesn’t mean you cannot clarify your doubts or questions with the doctor. Sometimes you may come up with problems. Your problems can be diagnosed using tests like MRI, CT scan, or X-ray.

What should you discuss with the doctor?

Discuss with your doctor about the safety of the baby in response to exposure to these radiations. Generally, the amount of radiation is very small. So, it is unlikely to harm the foetus. Instead, not doing the imaging test can be more harmful. Discuss with your doctor other alternatives.

Test/ Procedure in 14th Week of Pregnancy

What are the tests or procedures you should have in the 14th week of pregnancy?
The regular follow-up of the doctor during pregnancy is highly recommended. The gynaecologist may refer ultrasound to examine the baby’s growth and development. By week 14 of pregnancy, the baby’s sex can be determined through an ultrasound. However, in many countries like India, it is not legal to reveal the gender to the parents.

Supplements in 14 Weeks Pregnancy

Do you need to take supplements during the 14th week of pregnancy?
You will continue to take your folic acid supplements during this week. It is recommended to take these supplements throughout your pregnancy. These additives help to protect the child from birth defects like neural tube defects, etc. You will be also asked to take vitamin D and calcium supplements. Also include natural sources of calcium, vitamin D, and folate in your food diet.

Important points to Know During the 14th Week of Pregnancy

What is important to know during the 14th week of pregnancy?
This is the week when you will start with your second trimester. You may start to look pregnant noticeably. The belly pop up will be very mild and subtle. However, don’t use your pregnancy to gain weight in excess by overeating. Gaining too much weight is going to make the labor difficult. It will be difficult for you to lose all the extra weight after your delivery. However, never try to lose weight or do dieting during pregnancy. Focus on eating healthy foods that contain nutrients like calcium, iron, folic acid, protein, etc.

Preparation Guidelines for Baby

How should you start preparing for the baby’s birth?

• By now you will be feeling very energetic. This is a good time to get back to your routine exercise. It will prepare you for the delivery process. Also, the exercise will keep you and your baby healthy. Even regular walks will help to build strength and endurance. And strength is necessary for labour.
• Avoid doing very tiring exercises as it can cut off the oxygen supply to the baby. Very tiring exercises can even injure the baby. You can join a prenatal class which will motivate you to stick with it. One can opt for water exercise, pilates, prenatal yoga, walking, or a dance class specially designed for pregnant ladies.

During the 14th week of pregnancy, your early pregnancy symptoms will start to reduce. They won’t disappear right away though. Take it easy and be a little patient.