Fetal development in 14th week
14 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms and Baby Development
At 14 weeks pregnant, you’ve made it to the second trimester! Often called the “golden” period of pregnancy, the second trimester may bring some relief to those uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue, giving you a much-needed boost of energy at 14 weeks and onwards! We’ve got more information about what happens at 14 weeks pregnant, including the signs and symptoms you may experience and the development of your growing baby.
Highlights at 14 Weeks PregnantHere are some highlights to look forward to during week 14 of your pregnancy:
Your baby is moving their arms and legs and is developing their senses of smell and taste.
Your little one is beginning to look more and more like the person you’ll meet after birth.
You may have increased energy and more lustrous hair during this trimester.
Your baby bump might be showing now or in the coming weeks, so how about snapping some pictures of your belly at 14 weeks pregnant and over the coming weeks to see those changes in action!
At 14 weeks it’s likely too early to discover your baby’s gender, but you can still have fun guessing with our Chinese Gender Predictor:
Related pregnancy tool
Fill in your info to get started:
Mom's age at conception
This is a mandatory field.
Baby's due date//
Select date via the calendarPlease select a due date!
14 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s DevelopmentCheck out your baby’s exciting developments and find out what happens at 14 weeks pregnant:
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.
The senses of smell and taste are developing, and your baby’s skin is thickening.
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 unlikely that you'll know the gender of your baby at 14 weeks.
You can still enjoy guessing with our Guess Your Baby’s Gender quiz.
At fourteen weeks pregnant, you’re now in your fourth month of pregnancy and you’ve finally reached the second trimester!
Baby's Size at 14 Weeks PregnantYou may be asking yourself, “How big is a fetus at 14 weeks?” At 14 weeks, the fetus is roughly the size of a nectarine and is about 3 inches long.
Your Baby: What Does 14 Weeks Pregnant Look Like?To help you visualize how big your baby is at 14 weeks and how your little one looks inside you, check out the illustration below.
Your Body at 14 Weeks PregnantYou’ve finally reached the second trimester, which is considered the "golden" phase 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 little faster than usual. It’s one of the physical changes you may really enjoy this trimester!
At 14 weeks pregnant, symptoms can vary from person to person and it’s hard to know what to expect. But to help you prepare, we've pulled together some symptoms you may be experiencing:
Leaky breasts. You may 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. This could be triggered by 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 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 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 need to consume only 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. You can download our pregnancy nutrition guide for more helpful information about prenatal nutrition. Leg cramps. In the second trimester, some women experience lower leg cramps that often strike at night. If you experience cramps at 14 weeks pregnant, you can help keep them 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.
Around this time, you may start showing—although as every mom-to-be and every pregnancy is unique, this 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.
Soon, your healthcare provider may start to note the size of your belly and uterus at each prenatal visit. They do this by measuring the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus (the fundus).
During your pregnancy, your uterus grows upward and out of the pelvic area. Due to your growing uterus, you may feel some round ligament pain at 14 weeks, which may feel like aches or cramps around the abdomen, hips, and groin area. This type of discomfort is common during pregnancy, but feel free to contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
Are you wondering about movement, and whether you can feel the baby move at 14 weeks pregnant? Though your little one is moving around inside your uterus and starting to flex their arms and legs, they’re likely still too small for you to feel those movements. If you’re wondering when you can feel your baby move, this tends to happen around 16 to 20 weeks and is known as quickening.
For a general idea of what your belly might look like in your fourth month of pregnancy, around 14 weeks pregnant, check out the image below.
14 Weeks Pregnant: Things to ConsiderAt 14 weeks pregnant, take some time to consider the following:
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 are 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 to find the right childbirth class for you.
If you’re 14 weeks pregnant with twins, you may be wondering how your pregnancy might be different in terms of twin pregnancy symptoms, weight gain, and other things.Consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.
During this time and throughout your pregnancy journey, it’s normal to have many questions for your healthcare provider. Here are some common questions to ask at 14 weeks pregnant:
Is my weight gain at 14 weeks pregnant healthy and on track? Your healthcare provider can help you establish the right weight gain goals based on your BMI and other individual factors. Although your provider is the one to give you personalized guidance and advice, you can also play around with our Pregnancy Weight Gain Calculator.
What activities can I add to my exercise routine, and is there anything I should avoid in the second trimester?
Can I use the same over-the-counter medicines I’m used to if I’m feeling a little sick?
Are there any genetic tests recommended for me during the second trimester? What are the risks and benefits of each?
Is a nuchal translucency ultrasound recommended at week 14?
Here are some to-dos that you may wish to consider when you’re 14 weeks pregnant:
□ 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? Check out our fun pregnancy announcement card ideas 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.
14 Weeks Pregnant: Symptoms, Belly, Bump and More
- Community
- Getting Pregnant
- Pregnancy
- Baby Names
- Baby
- Toddler
- Child
- Health
- Family
- Courses
- Registry Builder
- Baby Products
Advertisement
1315
Highlights this week
Welcome to your second trimester!
This is many moms' favorite part of pregnancy. You'll feel your baby move, see them on an ultrasound, and get a break from some unpleasant early and late pregnancy symptoms.
Maternity photo shoot ideas
If you're thinking of taking special maternity photos, here are tips on when, where, and how to get the best pregnancy pictures.
Gaining weight?
Check out our medically reviewed chart to find your target pregnancy weight gain depending on your pre-pregnancy weight and whether you're carrying one child or twins.
Baby development at 14 weeks
Making faces
Thanks to brain impulses, your baby's facial muscles are getting a workout. Those tiny features can squint, frown, and grimace. Your baby is also making sucking and chewing movements.
Growing hair
Soft baby hair is coming: Hair follicles have started to form deep in your baby's skin. Around 20 weeks, fine downy hair will sprout from these follicles on your baby's eyebrows, upper lip, and chin.
Your active baby
Though you can't feel those tiny punches and kicks yet, your baby is quite active and has flexible hands and feet.
They grow so fast!
You may wonder why this week's fetal length measurement (below) is so much bigger than last week's. Your baby hasn't doubled in length in a week – there's just a change in how they're measured at 14 weeks (from head to bottom to head to toe).
Your baby at 14 weeks
Tap the plus for more details
Your baby is about the size of a lemon
length
5.79
inches
head to toe
weight
3.28
ounces
Pregnancy symptoms during week 14
No more morning sickness?
Your energy is likely returning, and your queasiness may have eased by now. If not, hang on – chances are good that morning sickness will soon be behind you if it's not already. Although it's uncommon, some expecting moms will still feel nauseated months from now. Tell your healthcare provider at your next appointment if you're still having nausea or vomiting.
Starting to show
The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you're waiting for. If you're curious about how other women look at 14 weeks pregnant, check out our pregnant bellies photo gallery.
Bleeding gums
About half of pregnant women have swollen, red, tender gums that bleed when flossed or brushed. This gum inflammation, called pregnancy gingivitis, is partly caused by hormonal changes that make your gums more sensitive to the bacteria in plaque. Be sure to brush your teeth twice daily, and floss daily.
Round ligament pain
On either side of your uterus, you have two ligaments that stretch and thicken to accommodate your growing belly. These changes may cause round ligament pain. It can feel like a short, stabbing pain in response to movement, or a dull ache after an especially active day. If round ligament pain strikes, try to stop and rest, pay attention to your posture, change positions, gently massage the area, or take a warm bath. Some women find that wearing a maternity belt for extra support helps relieve the pain.
Increased appetite
Pregnancy hunger starts and peaks in the second trimester. Your body is working hard to support your baby, and that requires plenty of energy.
Your meals are also fueling your body's pregnancy changes – which include a much higher blood volume, your growing breasts and uterus, and increased fat stores. You need an extra 300 to 350 calories per day in the second trimester. If you're wondering how it all fits together, learn about planning healthy pregnancy meals.
Don't see your symptom?
Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.
Your body at 14 weeks
Tap the plus for more details
Pregnancy checklist at 14 weeks pregnant
Get your teeth cleaned
Not only is it safe to go to the dentist during pregnancy, it's highly recommended. Pregnant women are susceptible to inflammation of the gums, which can lead to periodontal disease. Be sure to tell your dentist and dental hygienist that you're expecting before you have your cleaning.
Find a prenatal exercise class
If your energy is back, take advantage of it and get moving. Pregnancy exercise can boost your mood, help you sleep better, lower your risk of pregnancy complications, reduce stress and physical discomfort, and even help prepare you for childbirth.
If you have trouble motivating to exercise on your own, try joining a class like prenatal yoga or water exercise. Prenatal exercise classes are also a great way to meet other expecting moms.
Brainstorm baby names
Whether you've had a secret name picked out since high school or haven't thought much about it at all, it's not too early to start pondering baby names. Look up baby name meanings, history, and popularity in our Baby Names Finder. You can also look at our baby name inspiration lists and see the top baby names for every year from 1880 to the present.
Get better sleep
There are plenty of reasons why it's hard to sleep well when you're pregnant, but there are plenty of remedies to try, too. Cut down on caffeine (which you'll need to do during pregnancy anyway), try relaxation techniques, and experiment with the right pregnancy pillow. Establish a bedtime routine and try some warm milk and a light snack before bed. If nothing seems to help, ask your provider about safe sleep medications during pregnancy.
One caution: Though they may seem more natural and harmless than prescription drugs, herbal and hormonal sleep remedies like melatonin aren't necessarily safe during pregnancy.
Invest in a good moisturizer
Slathering on lotion and creams may not prevent stretch marks, but this will reduce itchiness. Find out more about stretch marks and itchy skin during pregnancy.
Ask for support at work
Working while pregnant isn't always easy. If your job is strenuous, you're around harmful chemicals, or you have certain pregnancy complications, you might have to modify your tasks or stop working. (There are laws in place that protect you from discrimination because of pregnancy, and you may be able to receive disability benefits.) If you're doing very physical work – on your feet for hours at a time or doing heavy lifting – talk with your doctor or midwife, then approach your supervisor about making adjustments.
14 weeks pregnant bellies
There's no right or wrong when it comes to pregnant bellies and how they appear.
Some women worry that their baby bump is too small, while others are concerned that they look more pregnant than they really are. A lot of this can be driven by comments from friends, family members, and even strangers – many people think a pregnant woman's body is an open topic of conversation. You may hear "You don't even look pregnant!" or "Wow, are you due soon?" Try not to take it to heart. As long as your healthcare provider says your baby is developing well and you're having a healthy pregnancy, it's all good.
This week's video
Marcella Gates
Marcella Gates is executive editor at BabyCenter, the world's number one digital parenting resource, and is an expert on pregnancy and parenting. As a mom of three, she loves that her professional life is focused on supporting and empowering parents and expecting parents. Gates lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
Advertisement | page continues below
13 weeks 15 weeks
Advertisement
14th week of pregnancy what happens to the fetus
At the 14th week of pregnancy, the woman's emotional background returns to normal, hormonal storms calm down, and early toxicosis leaves her, even if it is slightly delayed.
The baby is reliably protected by the placenta, it grows, receives all the necessary elements for nutrition and develops. A woman at this time should let the child feel how much she loves him and waits for him, communicating with the baby.
How does the baby feel?
The little man continues to grow, his development does not stop for a second. His activity increases every day, not only physical, but also mimic. The collection of grimaces is replenished, the child can even smile, although unconsciously.
Interesting! The face of the baby at the 14th week of pregnancy is becoming more and more perfect, and the body is proportional. The ears are already visible, the eyes are located in their places, the neck is stretched, the chin is raised.
The child swims freely, pushes off the walls of the amniotic sac with legs and arms, turns his head, sucks his thumb. It is surrounded by amniotic fluid and a special lubricant that provides protection from injury, getting wet and hypothermia.
Changes that occur to the fetus at the 14th week:
- Height is about 16 cm, weight is about 50 g. Head circumference is 26-28 mm.
- The musculoskeletal system is rapidly developing, so the child needs a full supply of calcium, which the mother should take care of, because this is a bookmark for the skeleton, muscles and teeth.
- The surface of the body of the fetus is covered with thin short hairs - lanugo. This fluff retains the protective lubrication of the baby's body. The hairs disappear even before his birth, approximately at the 30th week of pregnancy.
- The diaphragm makes rhythmic movements in preparation for the breathing process. Learning to breathe, the fetus swallows and returns amniotic fluid
- Sweat and salivary glands begin to work.
- The intestine starts its first job - the excretion of bile.
- The development of the genitals continues, and the genitourinary system is already formed.
At the 14th week, it will not be possible to find out the sex of the baby with the help of ultrasound, but you can find out the Rh factor and blood group.
The child is sensitive to external sounds. If the mother sings to him or speaks affectionately, the baby smiles. With loud sounds, his heart starts beating faster.
How does mother feel?
Mom's tummy is already rounded so that others notice it. A woman is gaining weight, about 2-3 kg, but this process must be controlled so that weight gain is not greatly exceeded. Moms already want to feel the first push, touch the protruding leg or handle, but a lot of time will pass before this moment. Very sensitive women may still occasionally feel fetal movements, albeit very faintly.
A protruding tummy and changes in body weight are reflected in gait. This is not yet the “duck” transshipment, as in the later stages, but the characteristic heaviness is still visible. A woman on the 14th week should already buy flat shoes, comfortable and soft, so that her legs do not get tired and swollen. Especially comfortable shoes will come in handy for long walks in the fresh air.
Clothing should also be comfortable. It is worth looking at things made of natural fabrics that do not restrict movement. It is also important to choose the right bra, taking into account the fact that the breast continues to fill and increase in volume, and the nipples become more sensitive.
Your emotional state is almost in order - there are no irritability and mood swings, perhaps only some psychological sensitivity will remain with you until the very birth. Exhausting toxicosis can be replaced by constipation, bloating, shortness of breath and heartburn.
Need to know! The positive thing is that the list of approved drugs is expanding by this period, so unpleasant symptoms can be dealt with. On the other hand, in order not to take risks, it is better to use home medicine recipes.
It is still important to protect yourself from respiratory diseases. Viruses and infection are no longer as scary for the baby as they used to be, but it is better to do without them.
The intake of any drugs and even traditional medicine must be agreed with the attending physician.
Tip! The 14th week of pregnancy is very important in terms of nutrition. Mom should be more careful about her diet. Your baby needs proteins to grow. For normal bowel function, you need to include sour-milk dishes in the menu. It is also important not to forget about vitamin and mineral complexes. But from products that contribute to weight gain, it is better to refuse.
Pregnancy calendar Week 14 - Miracle Doctor multidisciplinary clinic in Moscow
The fourteenth week of pregnancy is considered the calmest period of the prenatal stage. At this time, the woman is no longer affected by early toxicosis and the stomach is still small.
Changes in the formation of the fetus
The fourteenth week is marked by the continuation of the development and formation of the fetus. Its length is already 13 cm, and the weight is in the region of 45–50 grams.
The head of the unborn child in diameter reaches 8 cm. The face becomes plumper due to the rounding of the cheeks, eyebrows are drawn. A special fluff (lanugo) is formed over all the skin and head. It allows you to more effectively retain a special lubricant that allows you to improve the output of the fetus during childbirth.
Musculoskeletal system
The rate of formation of joints increases, as a result of which the baby in the uterus begins to show more activity. The unborn child begins to bend his fingers, turn his head, feel his body. Most of the cartilage, which has been as bones all this time, is replaced by full-fledged bone tissue. Ribs are starting to form. On ultrasound, you can see the respiratory movement of the cell - in this way, the unborn child is prepared for breathing after birth.
Heart and lungs
At this stage, the fetus already has all the necessary organs and systems that are typical for humans. Despite the fact that their formation has not yet been fully completed, they effectively support the vital activity of the fetus.
The work of the cardiovascular system allows you to saturate all parts of the body, ensuring their planned development and functioning.
This week of pregnancy is also characterized by the appearance of small bronchi and the appearance of alveoli in the lungs. At the same time, taste buds begin to work, so the child reacts to changes in the composition of amniotic fluid.
Endocrine and Digestive System
In the 14th week, hormones are produced by the glands, which allow the formation of the sexual organs to continue. In girls, the ovaries descend into the pelvis, and in boys, the prostate begins to form.
More bile begins to be released into the intestines, which allows digesting the amniotic fluid swallowed by the baby. The organ itself becomes longer, loops are formed. Along with this, intestinal peristalsis (translational muscle contractions) improves and develops, which improves the passage of food through the digestive tract.
The general condition of the woman
The general condition of the expectant mother is excellent.
A woman blossoms, becomes even more beautiful - this is facilitated by a slight blush on her cheeks, full breasts, sparkling eyes. Enjoying your beauty and inner peace during this period is important for the proper development of the fetus and maintaining a calm family atmosphere of comfort. During this period, most men note that a woman becomes more attractive to them. Sexual activity at the 14th week is not contraindicated and even desirable to strengthen the relationship between future parents.
At this period of gestation, the uterus in the upper part begins to protrude 10–13 cm above the pubis. You can feel it by pressing on the anterior abdominal wall. A gradually growing belly can lead to stretch marks on the skin. To avoid this, you can use a special cream with tocopherol and collagen. Physiotherapy exercises will help tissues prepare for serious stress at a later date.
The fourteenth week acts as a kind of island of rest, before the difficult prenatal period and the tiring months, when you have to devote almost all the time to the baby.
