You are into your second trimester at fourteen weeks pregnant, and a pregnant belly is starting to show! You should feel less tired and sick, with your energy levels returning and your appetite too! The placenta is now attached to your womb and connected to the baby through the umbilical cord, providing them with the necessary nutrients.
Your first milk might start to produce, and pains on the side of your stomach, round ligament pain, could appear. But what else happens during pregnancy week fourteen?
Well, that is what we are here to tell you! Keep reading to find out what happens at fourteen weeks pregnant, including the common symptoms, what an ultrasound will show, and more.
What’s Coming Up In The Article?
- What Does It Mean To Be 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect Pregnancy At 14 Weeks?
- Should You Get An Ultrasound At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Big Is A Baby At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Body Changes Should You Expect At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Key Points
- The baby is the size of a peach
- The head is getting rounder and in proportion with the body
- The midwife might hear a heartbeat with a handheld monitor on your stomach
- The baby can now wee inside your womb
- The baby’s hair follicles start to produce hair
- The risk of a miscarriage is now below 1% for most women
- The baby bump is forming for many women
- The common symptoms include sore or bleeding gums, headaches, and round ligament pain
What Does It Mean To Be 14 Weeks Pregnant?
At fourteen weeks pregnant, you are into the second trimester of your pregnancy, and a baby bump is starting to appear! The symptoms from the past few weeks should fade, and you will start to see a return in your energy levels.
You are entering your fourth month of pregnancy and seeing more daily changes. For many women, round ligament pain is causing them grief. These pains around the sides of your abdomen result from your growing uterus stretching out the ligaments around it to support its new weight. Plenty of rest can help to alleviate the pain.
At fourteen weeks pregnant, your baby continues to develop quickly. Their arms are now taking shape, with elbows, wrists, and clear hands and fingers. Their head is getting rounder and looking increasingly like a baby every day.
Can You Detect Pregnancy At 14 Weeks?
Yes, you can detect a pregnancy at fourteen weeks. Women who have missed their periods should take a test to confirm pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests can still be used and should be taken after a missed period. To confirm pregnancy, these tests measure the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels in your urine.
The pregnancy hormone hCG levels rise dramatically during the first trimester of pregnancy before reducing and levelling off. At fourteen weeks, the levels are still high enough to be detected in your urine to confirm a pregnancy.
Your doctor can also administer a blood test to confirm pregnancy. The blood test will also measure your hCG levels to confirm your pregnancy. Your doctor might also perform an ultrasound to date and confirm your pregnancy if you are unsure when your last period was. You will see your baby on the ultrasound at fourteen weeks and hear their heartbeat!
Should You Get An Ultrasound At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
You can get an ultrasound at fourteen weeks if you wish. Women will usually have their first ultrasound by fourteen weeks; if you have not yet had one, speak to your healthcare provider immediately
Some women will also pay for a private ultrasound at fourteen weeks. There are many reasons, from concerns about the baby to wanting to take their partner with them. Speak to your healthcare provider about this if you have any concerns or questions.
A fourteen-week ultrasound can also be used as a screening ultrasound where the technician will look at the following:
- The size of the baby
- The bone tissue formation
- The external sex organs
- The size between the head and body
- The heart rate and blood flow
- The movement of the baby
- The length of your placenta
- The amniotic fluid
- The uterus, ovaries, and cervix
All of these are looked at during your first ultrasound to ensure you and your baby are healthy. You might be asked to return for an ultrasound if they could not check all of these at your first ultrasound or if there was a concern they want to double-check.
Are There Any Scans Or Tests I Should Consider At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
You can have the nuchal translucency (NT) test at fourteen weeks to screen for Down’s Syndrome. The test measures the thickness of fluid build up on your baby’s neck and a blood test from yourself to check the chances of your baby having Down’s Syndrome.
You can also choose to have genetic screening tests here if you wish. These tests will determine the chances of you being a carrier or passing a genetic condition to your baby, like cystic fibrosis. These tests are optional, but your doctor might recommend them based on your or your family’s medical history.
Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you can detect a heartbeat at fourteen weeks pregnant! Women who have had their first ultrasound will have heard their baby’s heartbeat and likely been surprised at its speed! At fourteen weeks, the heart rate is around 150 beats per minute (bpm) and will sound slightly faster than you expect!
You can hear the heartbeat at an ultrasound, and a handheld device, a Doppler, is placed on your stomach to listen to the ultrasound. The Doppler machine can look like a microphone attached to a speaker, allowing you to listen to the heartbeat.
Most women will have a fetal heartbeat appointment in their second trimester, between fourteen and twenty weeks, where a midwife will use a Doppler to detect the heartbeat. You can also purchase at-home Dopplers, allowing you to hear the heartbeat whenever you want!
What Are The Common Pregnancy Symptoms At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
At fourteen weeks pregnant, the common pregnancy symptoms include bleeding gums, pains on the side of your stomach, and headaches. You might also notice some remaining symptoms from your first trimester, like morning sickness and a heightened sense of smell. These should subside soon.
Another common symptom is colostrum, which appears as yellow stains in your bra. This is the first milk you will produce and is normal to see at this stage. You can speak to your midwife or doctor if you have concerns.
Is There Any Change To HCG Levels At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Your hCG levels drop at week fourteen, with an average between 24,302 and 93,64 mlU/mL.
Should I Expect Any Cramping At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Cramping can happen at week fourteen. Pains or cramping on the sides of your stomach is called round ligament pain and happens as your womb expands.
Will I Experience Morning Sickness At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Some women still experience morning sickness at fourteen weeks pregnant. It should start improving in your second trimester, with your appetite slowly returning.
Will My Breasts Feel Tender At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Your breasts may feel tender at fourteen weeks pregnant. They might also feel sore or heavy, with the first milk production starting for some women.
Will I Have Food Cravings At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Food cravings can happen at any point in your pregnancy, including week fourteen. As your appetite returns, you might notice an increase in food cravings.
Will I Pass Urine More Frequently At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
You may pass urine more frequently at fourteen weeks pregnant. Your womb is moving upwards and away from your bladder now, but you might still feel the need to urinate more.
Will I Feel Tiredness Or Fatigue At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Tiredness or fatigue should improve at week fourteen of pregnancy. You might still feel tired, so allow plenty of time to rest.
Will I Feel Bloated At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
You might feel bloated at fourteen weeks pregnant. This can worsen for some women as their baby grows and takes up more space.
Will I Get A Headache At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Headaches can happen at fourteen weeks pregnant. Women who suffered from headaches before pregnancy might have headaches more often than others.
Will I Experience A Metallic Taste In My Mouth At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
A metallic taste in your mouth can happen at fourteen weeks pregnant. This usually subsides in your second trimester compared to your first trimester.
Will I Have A Heightened Sense Of Smell At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
A heightened sense of smell can happen in your fourteenth week of pregnancy, but it is more common in your first trimester.
Can You Experience Shortness Of Breath At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Shortness of breath typically happens later in your pregnancy than week fourteen. Speak to your doctor if you experience shortness of breath at fourteen weeks pregnant.
Is It Normal To Get Diarrhea At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Diarrhea can happen at fourteen weeks pregnant. Hormonal changes, bowel infections, underlying disorders, or a stomach bug can cause it. Speak to your doctor if the diarrhea lasts longer than forty-eight hours.
Can You Get Vaginal Discharge At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Discharge can happen at fourteen weeks pregnant. Vaginal discharge in your second trimester will be milky, look like egg whites, and have a slight odour. Vaginal discharge is normal and caused by pregnancy hormones and increased blood flow.
Will I Experience Lower Back Pain At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Lower back pain can happen at fourteen weeks pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.
Will I Experience Mood Swings At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Mood swings should subside in your second trimester, but you might experience them at fourteen weeks pregnant.
Is Spotting Normal At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Spotting is normal at fourteen weeks pregnant. Speak to your doctor if you become concerned about the amount of blood, especially if there are other symptoms like abdominal pain.
What Other Symptoms Are Common When 14 Weeks Pregnant?
The following symptoms are also common during pregnancy.
- Thicker and shinier hair
- Spotty and oily skin
- Urine infections
- Brown patches or darkened skin on your face
- Swollen feet and hands
- Dizziness
- Feeling hot
- Leg cramps
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Nosebleeds
- Constipation
How Big Is A Baby At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
At fourteen weeks pregnant, the baby is the size of a kiwi fruit. They are roughly 8.5 cm from crown to rump, with the head now getting rounder. It is slowly becoming in proportion with the rest of your body and is kicking and moving around a lot.
Your baby is now passing urine in your stomach, too! Small amounts of amniotic fluid are swallowed by your baby, passing into their stomach. The kidneys then filter this and pass it as urine.
Hair follicles are emerging, and your baby might start sprouting hairs and eyebrows. The hair doesn’t just stay on their head; your baby’s skin is covered in a fine coat of hair called lanugo. Most of the languno sheds as your baby grows, and its fat starts to keep the baby warm.
Can You Feel The Baby At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
While your growing baby is moving, you will unlikely feel any movements. Your baby is still quite small and surrounded by amniotic fluid, meaning many women don’t feel their movements yet. However, it will not be long before you will feel the movements!
You might experience cramping or pains along the side of your stomach this week, but this is linked to your growing womb rather than your baby’s body moving.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Miscarriage At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
At fourteen weeks pregnant, the common symptoms of miscarriage include bleeding and abdominal pain. You might notice light bleeding that quickly becomes heavy, along with tissue in your blood. Any symptoms of pregnancy you had, like breast tenderness or sickness, will also pass.
Speak to a doctor immediately if you notice heavy bleeding or pain in your lower stomach.
What Are The Chances Of Miscarriage At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
The chances of a miscarriage at fourteen weeks pregnant is less than 1%. Research by the American Journal of Epidemiology found that between weeks fourteen and twenty of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage fell below 1%.
This is an average and does not consider other factors that can increase your chances of a miscarriage, like age, weight, previous pregnancy complications, and any health issues. You should speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your chance of having a miscarriage.
What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
You can take several precautions to maintain your health at fourteen weeks pregnant; let’s look at them now.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
Start taking prenatal vitamins if you have not already. These can be taken throughout your pregnancy to ensure you and your baby get the necessary nutrients. A multivitamin can be taken, but check the dosage to ensure it contains all the necessary nutrients.
You can ask your doctor or midwife for recommendations here if you are unsure.
Enjoy A Healthy Diet
Weight gain during pregnancy is a concern for many women, but it doesn’t need to be. At this stage in your pregnancy, you don’t need any more calories to fuel you and your baby. Follow a healthy and balanced diet instead, aiming for 2,000 calories unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Enjoy a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates to give your body the energy and nutrients you need.
Stay Hydrated
You should also drink plenty during your pregnancy. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated helps with digestion, forms the amniotic fluid around the foetus, and circulates nutrients across the body. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)recommends drinking eight to twelve cups daily.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
At fourteen weeks pregnant, the following foods should be avoided.
- Raw juices and smoothies
- Highly processed foods
- Soft cheeses
- Unpasteurised dairy and dairy products
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Raw sprouts
- Organ meat
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Deli or processed meat
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Raw or undercooked fish
- Seafood with high mercury content
Are There Any Drinks I Should Avoid At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid all alcoholic drinks at fourteen weeks pregnant. Alcohol can harm your baby’s development, causing problems with their heart, bones, or kidneys and learning difficulties. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proven this and states there is no safe alcohol limit for pregnant women to consume.
You should also reduce your caffeine intake and avoid sugary drinks, raw smoothies, and juices.
Are There Any Supplements I Should Avoid At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid high doses of vitamin A, C, and E supplements, as these can harm your baby. You should also avoid any supplements that your doctor has not approved or supplements that state they are unsuitable for pregnant women.
Check the label of any supplement before taking it to ensure they are safe, or speak to your doctor if you have any questions.
Can I Exercise While 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you can exercise at fourteen weeks pregnant. You need to avoid any contact sports, sports with excessive jumping or fall risks, and exercises 2,500m above sea level.
You should opt for gentle exercises like walking, yoga, or swimming. You might not have the energy to complete your usual workouts; this is normal! It is better to stop sooner than usual than to push yourself too far and become unwell or burnt out.
Is It Safe To Travel When 14 Weeks Pregnant?
it is safe to travel at fourteen weeks pregnant. Before flying, you should speak to your doctor if you have deep vein thrombosis or high blood pressure. Before travelling to another country, you should also check if you need any vaccinations or if there are advisories for pregnant women.
Are There Any Acitivites I Should Avoid At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
The following activities should be avoided at fourteen weeks pregnant.
- Roller coasters, bumper cars, and water slides
- Motorcycles and four-wheelers
- Contact sports
- Diving
- Downhill skiing
- Gymnastics
- Hot Yoga
- Hot pilates
- Horseriding
- Hot tubs
- Sauna
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Waterskiing
- Cleaning cat litter
- Horseriding
- Hot tubs
- Sauna
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Waterskiing
- Cleaning cat litter
Is It Safe To Have Sex When 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, it is considered safe to have sex at fourteen weeks pregnant unless your doctor or midwife tells you otherwise.
How Should I Sleep At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
You should sleep as normal at fourteen weeks pregnant. You might notice that you sleep more or nap during the day. This is normal; your body is working hard to grow another person!
What Position Is It Safe To Sleep In When 14 Weeks Pregnant?
Any comfortable position is considered safe to sleep in at fourteen weeks pregnant. However, as your pregnancy progresses, side sleeping is regarded as a safe sleeping position, so it is worth getting into the habit of side sleeping now.
How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 14 Weeks Pregnant?
The best way to calculate your due date from fourteen weeks pregnant is to use the date of your last period. This is known as the LMP method and will use the first date of your last menstrual period to provide an expected due date. You can use any cycle tracking app to record your menstrual dates; we recommend doing this, especially if you are trying to conceive.
Take the date of your last period and count forward forty weeks or 280 days to see your estimated due date. You can also have your due date provided by your doctor or midwife. The first ultrasound you have is known as the dating scan, where they will measure your baby to work out a due date.
Providing your baby is growing at a normal rate, their size and weight can tell a doctor how far into your pregnancy you are and provide an expected due date. They might also ask for the date of your last period to help them provide the date.
Due dates are estimates, and many women give birth before or after the date. It is best to use it as a guide.
What Body Changes Should You Expect At 14 Weeks Pregnant?
At fourteen weeks pregnant, there are a few body changes to expect, including swollen and bleeding gums and pains on the side of your belly. These sharp pains are known as round ligament pains. The pains are caused by your expanding womb stretching and adding weight to the ligaments around them.
Your morning sickness should subside, allowing you to regain your appetite! You might find that you are hungrier than usual, but you don’t need to worry about having extra calories to feed your baby. Instead, eat the recommended amount for women and have healthy snacks between meals when needed.
You might also notice yellow stains in your bra. These are caused by colostrum, the first milk you will produce. You don’t need to worry about this appearing, but you might want to wear some nipple pads to prevent your bras from becoming stained.
Bloating and constipation can also happen here, with your expanding womb and hormone levels taking the blame for this.
What Is Your Body Doing During This Process?
Your body is pumping a lot of blood! The placenta is now attached to your womb and is full of blood, pumping out oxygen, nutrients, and hormones while removing waste from the womb. The placenta is also attached to your baby through the umbilical cord. The blood in the place and your baby do not mix; they could be different blood groups.
Your body is also starting to produce milk, with colostrum appearing in some women’s bras. It doesn’t happen to every woman this soon, so don’t worry if it doesn’t happen to you.
Your body is also working hard to grow your baby! Your baby’s eyebrows are now growing, with facial muscles developing and hair growing over your baby’s body.
How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Below are our tips to help you prepare for pregnancy.
Book Your Prenatal Appointment
Book an appointment with your doctor if you have not already had an appointment. Here, your doctor will perform any blood tests, provide guidance for the rest of your pregnancy, and answer any questions you might have. You should have this appointment by the end of your first trimester, so book one if you have not already had one!
You should also speak to your doctor if you are trying for a baby. They can provide advice on any supplements or lifestyle changes you should make. They can also run tests if you struggle to conceive to rule out any issues preventing conception.
Make Lifestyle Changes
You might also need to make some lifestyle changes. These include stopping smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking illegal drugs. Your doctor can support you to help you quit if needed. These lifestyle changes will improve your health and your unborn baby’s health, too!
Enjoy A Healthy Diet
You should also focus on a healthy diet to prepare for pregnancy. You can speak to your doctor about maintaining a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy if you have any concerns. Following a diet of lean protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables can help you enjoy a balanced and healthy diet.
Move Your Body
Alongside a healthy diet, you should stay active, too. Your exercises might need to change as your pregnancy progresses, but moving your body is excellent throughout and helps prepare for pregnancy. It can help you maintain a healthy weight and ensure you are fit and active – something we all need to be when chasing toddlers around!
Create A Support Network
Pregnancy can be lonely, so prepare with a support network to get you through the next nine months. Your friends, family, and partner can be a good support network, offering reassurance, support, and a shoulder to lean on.
You can also look further afield, using social media groups and apps to find other new or expecting mothers in your area. These women will be going through the same experiences as you and can offer a unique perspective, support, and advice. You don’t need to go through pregnancy alone!
Final Thoughts On Week 14 Pregnancy
Week fourteen of your pregnancy sees your baby bump grow and your sickness symptoms subside. You should enjoy more energy and have a visible pregnant belly! While you still won’t feel your baby move, they grow quickly and can now wee! While the stomach pains can be uncomfortable, these are a sign your baby and womb are growing and will pass.
Don’t forget to check you have had all the tests with your doctor and book your appointment to hear the heartbeat through the Doppler machine.