Tips For A 14 Weeks Pregnant Women—Things To Be Taken Care Of During 4th Month
14 weeks pregnant marks the beginning of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. The trimester will indicate the better health of the expectant mother due to decreased frequency and intensity of the morning sickness. Weight gain will also occur during the trimester of pregnancy.
Every woman is different from the other and so are their pregnancies! In fact, most gynecologists suggest that the same woman can show different signs during her pregnancies. It is essential to take proper care, keep the tips in mind, get sufficient sleep, and eat well!
Development Of Baby At 14 Weeks Pregnant:
Rapid baby development occurs during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. The baby at 14 weeks will be more than double its original size. The various baby developments are as follows:
- The baby will measure about 3 ½ inches from head to bottom.
- The size of the baby at 14 weeks pregnant will be about the size of a lemon or a clenched fist.
- The facial features of the baby will become more and more distinct as the pregnancy progresses ahead.
- The brain impulses allow the baby to change expression.
- The baby can squint, frown, cry, and suck its thumb by this week of gestation.
- The eyelids will cover the eyes but remain tightly shut. The eyes won’t open until the 23rd week of gestation.
- Free movement of the baby in the amniotic fluid takes place during this stage of pregnancy. However, the expectant mother can’t feel the movements until about the 23rd
- The facial expressions of the baby become completely developed by the 14th week of pregnancy.
- The baby’s urinary system gets functional, and the baby will be able to urinate in your uterus, in the amniotic fluid!
- The liver of the baby starts producing bile juice.
- The spleen gets functional and produces red blood cells.
- The head and neck become distinct giving the baby a more human-like appearance.
- The baby gets more straightened during this week and will be no longer curled up!
- The baby can move continuously, performing various kinds of stunts.
- The hands, feet, and the fingers become more and more distinct and flexible at 14 weeks pregnant.
- The fetal movements in the womb won’t be felt by the expectant mother until few more weeks to come.
- The intestines will actively produce “meconium” which will make the baby’s first bowel movement post birth.
The heartbeat of the fetus can be heard during the ultrasound scan. Each time you meet your gynecologist, she will use a device called as a Doppler, to listen to the heartbeat of the baby. A Doppler is a hand-held device, and it is used to hear the heartbeat of the baby. The heartbeat of the baby at 14 weeks ultrasound will range about 120-170 beats per minute.
Fetal Hair Or Lanugo:
By 14 weeks pregnant, the baby starts sprouting hair over the body. The coating of hair over the body of the baby is called as “lanugo.” The hair isn’t restricted to the head and the eyebrows but extend throughout the entire body. Many women complain of increased heartburn during this week, as the development of fetal hair takes place.
The fetal hair will function in providing protection to the tender and soft body of the baby. The amniotic fluid in the uterus will act as a cushion, guarding the baby against friction and pressure. The hair will shed soon during the last weeks of gestation. Many preterm born babies will have a fuzzy coating all about themselves, which will shed soon.
Symptoms Of Pregnancy At 14th Week:
The development of the fetus in the womb will lead to many visible changes in the body of the expectant mother. The most common 14 weeks pregnant symptoms and signs are as follows:
- Morning sickness
- Bloating and burping
- Weight gain
- Uneasiness or tightening at the abdomen
- Enlargement of the breasts
- Darkening of nipples
- Enlargement of the nipple size
- Mood swings
Body Changes At 14 Weeks:
By the beginning of the 14th week of pregnancy, the levels of energy will get back to normal. The frequency of morning sickness will decrease, the breasts will get bigger, but tenderness and uneasiness will be reduced.
- The thickening of the waist occurs, and you might feel the need to wear comfortable and loose clothing.
- The belly will start to protrude out with a small baby bump getting visible at 14 weeks pregnant.
- Indigestion is a common pregnancy symptom, owing to the increase in pregnancy hormones. The relaxation of the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach takes place during pregnancy, which in turn leads to indigestion.
- The frequency and urgency to urinate often get reduced to a considerable extent in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
- Most women need to shop for maternity clothing during the 2nd trimester owing to the growing baby and rapid baby development at 14
- The round ligament pain is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy in the 2nd
- The thick bands of the ligament which support the uterus stretch to support the growing baby, causing intense pain, called as the round ligament pain.
- Many women are susceptible to “varicose veins” during pregnancy.
- The situation wherein blood gets collected in the weak spots of the veins, making the veins bulge out is called as varicose veins.
- The legs are the most expected parts of the body to develop varicose veins at 14 weeks pregnant.
Understanding the weeks and the month of the pregnancy is focal for efficient pregnancy care. You can identify the week of your pregnancy to the corresponding month, and the trimester through the pregnancy calendar. Following a pregnancy calendar will aid in understanding the week by week development of the baby by, as follows:
|1st Trimester||Month 1||1 to 4 weeks|
|Month 2||5 to 8 weeks|
|Month 3||9 to 13 weeks|
|Month 4||14 to 17 weeks|
|Month 5||18 to 21 weeks|
|Month 6||22 to 26 weeks|
|Month 7||27 to 30 weeks|
|Month 8||31 to 35 weeks|
|Month 9||36 to 40 weeks|
Tips During 14 Week Pregnant:
The chances of abortion and miscarriage will be reduced by approximately 50% as you enter into the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. However, you still need to be cautious, and 14 weeks pregnancy care is paramount. Follow simple tips and stay healthy, as follows:
- Pregnancy increases the susceptibility to colds, flu, and viral infections.
- The immune system of the body remains suppressed during pregnancy thereby staying cautious and hygienic is of prime importance.
- You must wash your hands often to protect yourself from catching infections.
- Alternatively, you can use a hand sanitizer.
- Exercising is a very healthy option during pregnancy. It promotes muscle tone, strengthens the muscles, and increases the stamina of the body.
- However, you must avoid strenuous exercises and weight lifting.
- Urinary Tract Infections are very common during pregnancy.
- The increased susceptibility of the body to infections is mainly due to the pregnancy hormones.
- It is important to concentrate on the 14 week pregnancy diet to stay active and healthy.
- You can increase the fiber intake during pregnancy, to protect yourself from getting constipated.
- Foods which are rich in fiber are citrus fruits, nuts, and dry fruits, green leafy vegetables, etc.
- Coconut water is an excellent option for keeping yourself hydrated during pregnancy.
- You must concentrate on drinking about 12-14 glasses of water every day.
- It is also observed that women who take their pregnancy medications will have healthy babies and minor complications.
- Multivitamin, Folic Acid, Calcium, and Iron intake are paramount during pregnancy.
One big surprise throughout the 9months of gestation is whether you are having a boy or a girl! However, prenatal scanning can help greatly in solving the problem of identifying the gender of the baby before birth, at 14 weeks pregnant.
Many people prefer to know the sex of the baby right in the womb, while many others prefer to wait for the delivery to know the gender. There are both pros and cons, associated with sex determination, as follows:
Pros Of Determining The Gender Of The Baby:
- You can narrow down the search of baby names, peculiar to the gender.
- It will be easier to pick up the baby clothing as per the gender.
- Decorating the nursery or room will become convenient if the sex of the baby is known to the parents in advance.
Benefits Of Waiting For Determining The Gender Of The Baby:
- The surprise and element of excitement will be high if the sex of the baby remains a secret till the due date.
- Baby shopping won’t be impossible as gender-neutral clothing is conveniently available on the market these days.
A major aspect to keep in mind before you are mentally prepared about the gender of your baby is to understand the limitations of science and technology. Sometimes, the ultrasound scan might not give an accurate report of the baby’s gender. Many times, the baby will be positioned in the uterus at 14 weeks pregnant, in such a way that the identification of the gender will be difficult.
So wait for the little bundle of joy to come in your arms, irrespective of its gender! You must shower the baby with loads of love and blessings and not waste your time in determining the sex; after all, the child is yours, be it a girl or a boy!
Stretch marks constitute to be one of the most very common problems during pregnancy. Stretch marks range from reddish to silver streaks formed on the skin. The primary cause of stretch marks is the difference in the elasticity of the skin. The skin differences can be triggered due to sudden weight loss or weight gain.
The human skin has the remarkable capability to get loose due to drastic changes in its structure. Stretch marks and pregnancy go hand in hand! They will fade away with time, in about a year after the delivery of the baby.
You will observe stretch marks around 14 weeks pregnant and later but care needs to be taken right from the 1st trimester onwards. Applications of skin creams and lotions will help in reducing the skin dryness and itching. Many people prefer the application of olive oil and Aloe Vera to help with the stretch marks.
Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy-14 Weeks:
It is very common for pregnant women to suffer from vaginal discharge, especially at 14 weeks pregnant.
- The vaginal discharge will be odorless or mild-smelling.
- The discharge will be milky white in appearance.
- The increase in the quantity of the vaginal discharge during pregnancy is mainly because of the increased production of the hormone Estrogen.
- The overall blood volume increases in the body during pregnancy, leading to increased vaginal discharge.
Understanding When You Need Medical Attention:
It is essential to keep in mind that self-medication is dangerous during pregnancy. Everything needs to be taken seriously when pregnant. There are many symptoms and signs which must never be ignored at 14 weeks pregnant. You need to see your gynecologist immediately and get the appropriate diagnosis done in case there is any problem, as follows:
- Intense pain in the lower back
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Cramping in the lower part of the abdomen
- Urination discomfort
- Decreased urine output
- Severe vomiting
- Excessive dehydration
- Itching around the pubic area
- Swelling or redness of the vagina
- Smelly vaginal discharge
- Excessive vaginal discharge which is watery.
Family Life During Pregnancy:
There are many fears associated with pregnancy, the indulgence in sex being the top of the list! Sex during pregnancy is completely safe and normal, until and unless your gynecologist suggests you not to. The amniotic sac and the mucous plug protect the baby well. There is no possibility to harm the baby by penetration in the vagina. However, keeping few simple things in mind will be beneficial for you, as follows:
- Avoid sex if you have a high-risk pregnancy.
- In the case of a low lying placenta, you must abstain.
- If you have suffered a previous abortion or a miscarriage, you must be cautious.
- If you had bleeding or spotting at 14 weeks pregnant, the gynecologist would suggest you avoid sex.
- Sex positions must be kept in mind so that there is no direct pressure exerted on the stomach of the expectant mother.
- Pregnancy hormones can affect the libido of the pregnant mother.
- Many women have decreased sex drive while many others have an increased sex drive during the different trimesters of pregnancy.
- In the last trimester of pregnancy, orgasm might lead to contractions in the uterus and hence must be avoided.
It is paramount for any couple to understand that pregnancy is a phase of life. Making your partner comfortable during the stages of pregnancy is crucial. If your partner isn’t comfortable with sex, you can try and spend ample time together in foreplay and cuddling. Bonding with your partner is the answer to the simple question of safe sex during pregnancy indeed!