14 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly Size & Ultrasound

14 weeks pregnant is a milestone to celebrate and savor. Find out what to expect when you’re 14 weeks pregnant, find out whether you can feel baby yet and what your uterus looks like. What size is a 12-week-pregnant uterus? What are the 8th week symptoms? When does baby start to move?

Your baby at week 14 of pregnancy

Although you may not feel it just yet, your 14-week-old baby is a frequent wiggler. Your unborn child’s face is taking shape, with his eyes getting farther apart and his ears setting into their ultimate placements. His eyebrow and scalp hair is also beginning to form, and soon he’ll have silky baby hair all over his body, which is supposed to help anchor developing skin. There’s still a chance he’ll hiccup, even if he’s breathing fluid rather than air.

Ask to listen to the baby’s heartbeat at your next doctor’s appointment. They should now be able to detect the fluttering of the heart with a Doppler. or physical abuse if you’re expecting several children (“What? Triplets?!?”).

14 weeks pregnant is how many months?

When you are 14 weeks pregnant, you are officially in 4 months of your pregnancy. Just another 5 months to go! Congratulations, you’ve already made great progress!

How big is your baby at 14 weeks pregnant?

Your baby, also known as a foetus, is currently about 45 gm in weight and 8.5 cm in length from head to bottom which is about the size of a peach, kiwi fruit or navel orange. The head is becoming more spherical and in keeping with the overall body shape. Your unborn child is active and moving around, but you may not feel it just yet. However, if your midwife uses a handheld monitor on your stomach, she may be able to pick up the sound of your baby’s heartbeat.

Your unborn child is performing an amazing act right now: he or she is going to the bathroom. The infant drinks a small amount of amniotic fluid, which then enters the digestive tract. Once the kidneys begin working, the fluid is reabsorbed and subsequently excreted in the form of urine.

14 weeks pregnant: baby’s development

Beginning as early as 14 weeks after conception, the fetus displays signs of grasping. It’s interesting to note that fetal activity varies between sexes. In fact, girls are more likely than boys to open and close their mouths in conversation. The fetus has displayed a remarkable lack of emotion thus far. The unborn infant may now make nuanced expressions with its face. Researchers claim that fetuses are capable of emotion as early as 12 weeks.

In weeks 13 and 14, many sensory systems begin to interpret basic information. At 12 weeks after conception, the olfactory bulb, which is responsible for processing odors, begins to acquire its layered structure. 12–13 weeks after conception, tastebuds begin to cluster in functional taste pores and connect to cranial nerves, increasing the likelihood that the fetus may taste the amniotic fluid at this point. The fetus, at 13 to 14 weeks after conception, will drink more sweet amniotic fluid and less bitter fluid. By 13 weeks following conception, each sense has evolved to a certain extent.

Your body at 14 weeks pregnant

Finally Looking Pregnant

Although your nausea may be gone, this week you may still feel lethargic and sluggish. As your expanding abdomen puts pressure on your internal organs, you may feel some discomfort.

You may experience an increase in heartburn, indigestion, and flatulence as your stomach shrinks. You still need to go to the bathroom somewhat often because there is less room in your bladder. As your belly expands, you may find it harder to get comfortable at night.

Shopping for Maternity Clothes

No more room in the zipper? You may have noticed that your clothes are starting to feel more snug as your pregnancy progresses. When the waistband of your favorite pair of jeans begins to dig into your thighs, it’s time to go shopping.

Maternity fashion expert and CEO of some of the biggest names in the industry, including A Pea in the Pod, Mimi Maternity, and Motherhood, Rebecca Matthias says that shopping for maternity apparel is like “having your house burn down” for expectant mothers. You need to get an entirely new wardrobe because you will only be using it for a limited time (a few months). Doing some strategic shopping can get you a good deal on the clothes you need without breaking the bank.

Aim for Versatility: By carefully choosing your wardrobe you won’t have to buy so many clothes, explains Matthias. Instead of buying a full wardrobe, she suggests you pick basics and then add accessories to vary your outfits (accessories you can wear even after your baby arrives!).

Buy Basics:

Jeans: “Jeans are usually the first item women buy,” says Matthias. She points out there’s a wide range of styles and belly options for pregnant women. Try on several pairs before you decide to buy: some belly styles may be more comfortable than others.

T-shirts: Once you have your perfect pair of jeans, match them with a few T-shirts. Stick to basic colors that you can layer or throw a non-maternity sweater over to get the most wear out of your shirts.

Black pants: Whether you work or not, black slacks are a must for your wardrobe, says Matthias. You can easily dress up or dress down with basic black (plus black tends to de-emphasize your expanding figure).

White shirt: Like black pants, a white shirt can be paired with jeans for a casual look or with black pants for a dressier style.

Picking Sizes: Maternity sizes should parallel non-maternity sizes. If you’re a small in regular women’s clothes, you’re most likely a small in maternity clothes too. Shirts are cut nearly identically through the shoulders and arms, points out Matthias. When it comes to your belly, however, there’s a variety of shirt styles, from draping to ruching to pleats, to complement your baby bump.

For pants, you won’t need to worry about numbered sizes: maternity pants come in small, medium, and large, like the shirts.

Knowing When to Splurge: You’ll only be wearing your baby bump-friendly wardrobe for a few months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a fashionista. Accessorize with jewelry and handbags to vary your outfits. Splurge on a few favorite outfits for those days when you get tired of being pregnant. Matthias’s suggestion for a splurge? A nice maternity dress. “You’re going to want something to wear for special occasions, like your baby shower.”

Having Trouble Sleeping at 14 Weeks Pregnant

Having difficulties sleeping is a common pregnant symptom, and it’s especially common in the second and third trimesters, when other pregnancy symptoms peak and a growing belly makes it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position.

When you’re 14 weeks pregnant, it could hurt to sleep on your stomach, but studies indicates that lying on your back puts more strain on the vena cava, the main blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.

Your blood circulation will increase if you sleep on your left side, which will also be good for your uterus, kidneys, and fetus. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try placing a pillow between your knees and another under your stomach. If the problem persists, consult your doctor.

14 Weeks Pregnant: Wellness and Nutrition

What should you avoid during pregnancy? Doctors agree that you should avoid the following:

Activities that may cause you to fall, or that place pressure or force on your belly

Intense, overly vigorous exercise – if you’re too out of breath to talk, you’re probably exercising too hard.
Drinking alcohol, smoking, and caffeine (ask your doctor how much caffeine you should consume each day)
Sweeteners such as saccharine and herbal sweeteners (ask your doctor if artificial sweeteners are appropriate)
Prescription and over-the-counter medications (check with your doctor about what’s safe during pregnancy)

Paint, cleaning products, and solvents can expose you to chemicals and fumes. Acrylic and latex paints are generally considered safe. However, you should consult your doctor before helping around the house or in the nursery.
Saunas and hot tubs
Chemical treatments for your hair, such as dye and perms

Early pregnancy symptoms at 14 weeks

At the end of the first trimester, or week 14, you will enter a new phase of your pregnancy. The second trimester of pregnancy consists of months four through six. This week, you should begin to feel less anxious.. Some women feel nauseous and tired right away, while others don’t begin to experience symptoms until later in the first trimester. At this stage of your pregnancy, you may continue to experience physical symptoms,

Breast changes and tenderness

Tenderness and slight alterations in the shape of your breasts are common pregnancy symptoms around the 14th week. The hormones estrogen and progesterone are responsible for these alterations, which help your body get ready for breastfeeding after giving birth. You might find that your breasts are more sensitive to touch and feel fuller than usual.

Fatigue (constant tiredness or weakness)

One of the most typical symptoms of early pregnancy is fatigue, which frequently starts at this point. Although there are many causes of exhaustion during pregnancy (including changes in hormone levels), some research indicates that inadequate sleep brought on by nighttime awakenings from unpleasant sleeping positions may also be a role.

Heartburn or gas

There may be a rise in heartburn and flatulence during the 14th week of pregnancy. This is because progesterone produces a decrease in the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle, which typically prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus. This can cause heartburn and discomfort by allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus. Try spreading your meals out more, staying away from items that are known to cause heartburn (such spicy foods), and drinking lots of water.

Mood swings and crying spells

The 14th week of pregnancy is a vulnerable time for women, when they are more likely to experience mood swings and crying spells. Until your hormone levels settle, this will have an impact on your mental and emotional well-being. This is a common occurrence for pregnant women; one study indicated that 75% of women felt emotional shifts like irritability or depression in the first trimester.

Food cravings, aversions, or both

During your 14th week of pregnancy, It’s common to crave foods that are high in protein, such as meat and cheese, which are essential for your baby’s development. You may also have strong aversions to certain foods, like vegetables or fruits that you normally enjoy eating but now find repulsive. This is normal—just make sure you don’t completely eliminate any food groups from your diet.

Pregnant stretch marks

In the 14th week of pregnancy, stretch marks, sometimes called striae gravidarum, may occur on the belly. Stretch marks form when the skin is forced apart and then stretched beyond its natural elasticity, as happens during rapid growth or weight gain (like pregnancy)

Indigestion, or constipation

During the 14th week of pregnancy, you may suffer gastrointestinal issues like indigestion or constipation. Pregnancy hormones like progesterone and estrogen might increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal issues including indigestion. These hormones slow down digestion by relaxing the digestive tract, preventing food from being swallowed whole. You can reduce the frequency and severity of indigestion during pregnancy by cutting out on high-fat and sugary foods and eating more often, smaller meals (like sweets or fried foods).

Increase in visible veins

In most cases, varicose veins in pregnant women are quite safe. They occur because of stress on the big vein (the inferior vena cava) that transports blood from the lower body to the heart. Itching, discomfort, and even pain are possible side effects of having varicose veins. Thankfully, once you’ve given birth, they typically disappear. Varicose veins can be treated if they cause you discomfort or pain. If you have any questions regarding how to treat your particular symptoms, you should talk to a doctor.

No symptoms at 14 weeks pregnant

Yes, it is possible to be 14 weeks pregnant with no obvious signs of pregnancy at all! It’s important to remember that every pregnant lady is unique. If you’re one of the happy few who never gets morning sickness, for instance, you may relax and enjoy your pregnancy. But if you do have symptoms, you should definitely pay heed to them. If you are pregnant and have any health concerns, you should always consult your doctor.

14 weeks pregnant belly size (baby bumb)

The average pregnant belly size at 14 weeks is about the size of a cantaloupe, but some women may have more or less belly growth than that. At 14 weeks, your baby will be gaining weight at an average rate of 0.2 ounces per day, which equates to about 8 ounces per month. The average weight gain for the entire pregnancy is 25 pounds; however, this number varies according to height and body type.

14 weeks pregnant ultrasound

The primary goal of the scan is to look for any structural abnormalities, in addition to verifying your due date and making sure the baby is growing well. A normal-appearing scan is quite comforting at this point because some can be recognized or suspected.

The importance of prenatal vitamins during pregnancy

During pregnancy, you need a greater amount of folic acid and iron. Why? Here are some reasons:

Folic acid prevents neural tube defects

These defects affect the fetal brain and spinal cord in a significant way. Preferably, you should begin taking extra folic acid three months before you become pregnant.

The placenta and baby require iron to develop

The body uses iron to make blood to supply oxygen to the baby. Additionally, iron helps prevent anemia, a condition in which the blood lacks healthy red blood cells

It’s important to consult your doctor or healthcare provider to find out which are the best prenatal vitamins to take before pregnancy, and how to calculate your expected delivery date.