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By the time you are in the 14th week of your pregnancy, you can expect your fetus to measure 3.4 inches long and weigh 1.52 ounces; about the size of a bagel bite to make things simpler. The baby begins to develop lanugo (fine, soft hair, especially that which covers the body and limbs of a human fetus); and as for a mother’s bodily changes, some round ligament pain can be expected.
14 Weeks Pregnant Belly: What Can You See in an Ultrasound?
14 weeks pregnant means you are in your 4th month. Be not amazed if you see your baby sucking their thumb in the 14th-week ultrasound! Besides, the baby also starts to develop facial muscles which let them frown and squint by this time. As for their organs, the spleen and the liver begin to work, producing bile and RBCs. Here’s what you can look forward to when going for a 14-week pregnant ultrasound:
What Does a 14 Weeks Pregnant Belly Show in an Ultrasound?
1. Baby Making Faces
Your baby’s brain has begun to develop which means their facial muscles are getting a good workout. The brain impulses can make those tiny features grimace, frown, and squint. The baby also begins to chew and suck.
2. Hair Growth
Hair follicles develop deep inside your baby’s skin by 14 weeks of pregnancy and around the 20th week, you might notice fine downy hair sprouting from these follicles. These are called lanugo and can be found on the baby’s chin, upper lip, and eyebrows.
3. Baby Gets More Active
Once your baby starts getting active you tend to feel a more motherly soul connection with it. The baby will start kicking and punching but you cannot feel it yet. Their tiny feet and hands are quite active during this time.
14 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms: What is Happening in The Mother’s Body?
The 14th week or the beginning of the second trimester is widely celebrated for being the phase in pregnancy when the aches, pains, morning sickness, mood swings, and other symptoms start to wear down. Since the imbalance in the hormones now starts to level down, you will finally begin to experience lesser headaches, lesser fatigue, and lesser nausea and you’d instead be much more energetic and hungry. The chances of a miscarriage also drop down in the second trimester.
Here’s what you can expect to happen to your body in the 14th week of pregnancy:
1. Morning sickness
You must have gained your energy back with that morning’s queasiness subsiding a bit. While nausea might reduce, it may not completely disappear in the 14th week. However, if you have a reason to believe that your nausea has not gone down at all, you could be suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a treatable, severe nausea situation. Consult your doctor as soon as possible.
2. Varicose veins
Your veins, especially on the legs, might suddenly begin to appear enlarged, deep-colored, and ghost-like. This is because of the pressure from the increased blood volume in the body. Keep yourself hydrated and ensure that you do not stand or sit in one position for too long to avoid any complications.
3. Bleeding Gums
Most pregnant women have tender, red, swollen, and bleeding gums when after brushing or flossing. This inflammation of the gums is called pregnancy gingivitis and is partially caused by the change in your hormones. Hormonal changes sensitize the gums to bacteria in the plaque. Floss and brush your teeth daily as prevention.
4. Round ligament pain
On both sides of your uterus, two ligaments thicken and stretch when you are pregnant to accommodate the growing fetus. This changing of these ligaments can cause pain. These 14 weeks pregnant cramps, commonly called round ligament pain, extend from the front of your uterus, all the way into your groin. Here’s what you can do to ease the pain;
- Avoid sudden or brisk movements
- Stretch your body
- Use a heating pad
- Change positions and posture
- Take a warm bath
- Use a maternity belt
- Gently massage the area
5. Frequent colds & flu
Your immune system will be much weaker than earlier during your pregnancy, making you vulnerable to contracting frequent cold and flu. While using natural methods like resting, hydration, steam, and gargling are advised, always consult your doctor before popping any pills for the flu or cold.
6. Increase of Appetite
Pregnancy hunger peaks by the 14th week of pregnancy as your body are working hard to support the growing baby. You need at least 350 calories every day to accommodate the following changes:
- Higher blood volume
- Increased fat stores
- Growing uterus and breasts
14 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms: How Do You Manage Pregnancy Symptoms?
Exercise is considered to be one of the best ways to reduce pregnancy side effects. It can also help prevent gestational diabetes, improve mood, make you feel energetic, and help you nap better. However, you also need to make sure that you only indulge in exercises that are safe for your baby. Do your research and consult a professional before you start to full-fledged exercise.
A Final Word: The Bottom Line on 14 Weeks Pregnant
As a final word of advice, your 14th week of pregnancy could be a good time to also start preparing to go on your maternity leave from work. Arrange and organize your work to figure out what all can be done before you go on your leave and what all needs to be kept for later once you are back. This will also help you move in the right directions and give you a heads up when you are back after your long leave.
