What to Expect When You Are 14 Weeks Pregnant

Being 14 weeks pregnant marks the beginning of your second trimester. This exciting time is when many women start to feel better physically and have more energy again after first trimester fatigue and morning sickness subside.

As your pregnancy progresses and your baby continues to develop during week 14, you’ll notice some new changes happening with your body. You may also have some concerns on your mind about upcoming screening tests and when you can feel your baby’s movements.

This guide covers everything you need to know about being 14 weeks pregnant including information on your baby’s growth, common symptoms to expect, tips for a healthy pregnancy, and what appointments and tests may happen around this stage.

Key Takeaways When 14 Weeks Pregnant

Your baby is about the size of a lemon during week 14 and starting to develop more defined features and fingerprints.
Common pregnancy symptoms around 14 weeks include back pain, breast changes, dizziness, bloating, constipation, food cravings, and congestion.
You may be able to feel the first flutters of baby movement around 14 weeks if this isn’t your first pregnancy.
Your risk of miscarriage drops considerably around this point in your pregnancy.
Routine prenatal screening tests like the quad marker screen may happen around 14 weeks.
Your next prenatal visit will include checking your weight, blood pressure, fundal height, and baby’s heart rate.
Staying active with walking, prenatal yoga, and swimming can help relieve common second trimester discomforts.
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and stay hydrated to support your baby’s growth.

Baby Development at 14 Weeks

At 14 weeks, your baby is about the size of a small lemon, measuring approximately 3.4 inches from crown to rump and weighing around 1.5 ounces.

Even though your baby is still quite small at this stage of pregnancy, they are starting to develop more defined physical features and proportions. The head is more erect and the neck more defined compared to the rest of the body. Your baby can open and close their fingers, curl their toes, and even suck on their thumb or finger. Unique fingerprints are also forming on your baby’s tiny hands and feet.

Inside the womb, your baby is practicing important skills like blinking, frowning, squinting, and grimacing. Their kidneys are starting to function and produce urine. Ossification of the bones has begun as hard calcium deposits build up.

Your baby’s ears are closer to their final position on the sides of the head. The ears also develop deeper folds and start picking up some in-utero sounds like your heartbeat, voice, and digestive gurgles. The arms, legs, hands, and feet are more developed and proportional to the rest of their body. Blood vessels in the umbilical cord also grow thicker to carry more nutrients and oxygen.

As your pregnancy progresses, you may start noticing your baby’s movements around 14 weeks, which can be an exciting milestone! These early flutters may feel like bubbles, tingles, or gas. They will gradually get stronger and more pronounced over the coming weeks.

Common Symptoms at 14 Weeks Pregnant

How are you feeling at 14 weeks pregnant? Many of the unpleasant first trimester symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and frequent urination may be improving by this point in your pregnancy. But you may trade in some of those early pregnancy complaints for a whole new set of discomforts as your body continues to adapt and change.

Here are some common symptoms and developments you may experience around 14 weeks pregnant:

Back pain – Growing breasts, weight gain, loosening ligaments, and your shifting center of gravity all contribute to back pain in the second trimester. Apply heat, get massages, and try sleeping with a pillow between or under your knees.
Breast changes – Your breasts may become more tender, tingly, or sensitive as milk ducts and mammary glands develop and expand. Invest in supportive maternity bras. Lanolin cream and gel breast pads can provide relief.
Dizziness – Changing hormone levels, increased blood volume, and lower blood pressure can result in dizziness, especially if you stand up too quickly. Stay hydrated, avoid sudden position changes, and take it easy if need be.
Bloating and gas – Hormonal shifts slow digestion leading to more bloating and gassiness. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Drink peppermint or ginger tea. Take digestive enzyme supplements if approved by your practitioner.
Constipation – Progesterone relaxes smooth muscles causing sluggish bowels. Drink plenty of water. Eat high-fiber foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Light exercise can also help get things moving.
Food cravings/aversions – Hormone changes can impact taste and smell perception. Give in to (healthy) cravings in moderation. Try alternatives if you have strong food aversions.
Nasal congestion – Increased blood volume and hormones cause pregnancy congestion and nosebleeds. Use saline spray and humidifiers. Avoid irritants that worsen symptoms.
Heartburn – Your growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach causing acid reflux. Eat smaller meals. Avoid trigger foods. Tums or other antacids can provide relief.
Insomnia – It may be harder to get comfortable and sleep well at this stage. Limit fluids and stimulants close to bedtime. Follow a relaxing pre-bed routine. Use pregnancy pillows for support.
Headaches – Changing hormone levels, increased blood volume, and muscle tension contribute to pregnancy headaches. Apply cold compresses. Get extra rest. Ask your doctor about safe medications if needed.

Stay alert about any more concerning symptoms like vision changes, intense abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or vaginal discharge that could indicate complications. Notify your doctor right away about any worrying signs. Routine headaches, achiness, and other common complaints are typically nothing to be alarmed about.

14 Weeks Pregnant Is a Pregnancy Milestone

Hitting 14 weeks marks an important milestone when your risk of miscarriage drops considerably. The chances of miscarriage fall to around 1-2% after this point, compared to a 10-15% risk during the first trimester. This is reassuring news and reason to celebrate!

Knowing you’ve made it safely through those early precarious weeks means you can start to relax a little, announce your news if you haven’t yet, and focus more on preparing for motherhood. Of course miscarriages are still possible later on, but your odds are now strongly tipped towards a healthy full-term pregnancy.

This critical point is why many doctors schedule an ultrasound around this time. Seeing your active little lemon bouncing around with a strong heartbeat provides further confirmation that your pregnancy is progressing as it should.

Screening Tests and Appointments at 14 Weeks

In addition to routine prenatal visits every 4 weeks in the first and second trimesters, your practitioner may recommend certain screening tests and exams around 14 weeks pregnant to monitor your health and your baby’s development.

Here are some things that may happen at prenatal checkups and appointments when you are 14 weeks along:

Quad marker screening – This optional blood test analyzes levels of 4 pregnancy-related hormones to assess risk for chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome, trisomy 18, spina bifida, and other birth defects. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of this or other screening options.
Fundal height measurement – Your doctor or midwife will start periodically measuring from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus with a tape measure to track your baby’s growth in centimeters. This number typically aligns closely with the number of weeks pregnant you are at each visit.
Weight and blood pressure check – Your practitioner will record your weight at every visit to ensure you’re gaining a healthy amount and check your blood pressure for possible preeclampsia. Let them know if you notice any significant increases or decreases.
Fetal heart rate – Listening to your baby’s heartbeat is very reassuring. The average fetal heart rate is 120-160 bpm, but normal ranges vary. Your practitioner may use a handheld Doppler device or fetoscope placed on your belly to check.
Urine sample – You’ll give a urine sample at most visits to check for issues like infections, excess protein, or glucose levels that could indicate gestational diabetes later on. Staying hydrated dilutes your urine and makes these easier to provide.
Fundal massage – Your doctor may gently massage your abdomen to check the uterus and baby’s position if you have significant cramping or spotting.
Belly measuring – Around 14 weeks, your practitioner may start periodically measuring from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus to track your baby’s growth. This number typically aligns with the number of weeks pregnant you are.
Medical history questions – Expect questions about any new symptoms along with updates about your health, diet, exercise, sleep, mental health, medications, and supplements. Be open about any concerns.

Notify your doctor about any unusual pelvic pain, changes in vaginal discharge, excessive nausea and vomiting, vision issues, swelling, bleeding between periods, fluid leaking, and decreased fetal movement. Routine complaints are common, but report anything that worries you in between scheduled visits.

Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy at 14 Weeks

Your baby is fully formed during week 14 with all their organs, limbs, facial features, and external sex organs in place. Now they will spend the remainder of your pregnancy growing and maturing. Support your baby’s development by taking good care of yourself during the second trimester with these tips:

Get moving – Staying active with walking, swimming, prenatal yoga, and low-impact strength training can help relieve aches, improve your mood, and control weight gain. Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week if approved by your provider.
Eat nutritious foods – Focus on getting plenty of lean protein, whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats from food sources like nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados. Stay hydrated with water and milk instead of sugary drinks.
Take your prenatal vitamins – Prenatal vitamins provide important nutrients like folic acid, calcium, and iron that pregnant women need more of. Ask about safe supplements like fish oil or probiotics if interested.
Manage stress – Make time for self-care through relaxing practices like meditation, prenatal massage, warm baths, yoga, and other mood boosters. Connect with other parents and build your support system.
Get enough rest – Growing a baby is hard work! Take naps, go to bed earlier, accept help from others, and don’t overschedule yourself.
Avoid toxins – Stay away from potentially harmful substances like alcohol, recreational drugs, cigarettes, certain medications, toxic cleaners, mercury-containing fish, and unpasteurized foods. Talk to your doctor about any concerns.
limit caffeine intake – Moderate amounts (200mg or less) daily are considered safe, but avoid excessive coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks which can interfere with sleep and cause dehydration.

Focus on creating healthy habits during your pregnancy that benefit both you and your baby. But don’t stress about perfection or compare yourself to others. Do the best YOU can and be kind to yourself along the way.

FAQs About Week 14 of Pregnancy

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about being 14 weeks pregnant:

When will I start showing with my second pregnancy?

Most women start showing sooner with subsequent pregnancies, often by 12-14 weeks. Your abdominal muscles and skin have been stretched before so they provide less resistance to your expanding uterus. Don’t worry if your bump isn’t very noticeable yet though. Every woman shows at her own pace.

How can I tell the difference between pregnancy flutters and gas?

Gas bubbles tend to be intermittent and move around your abdomen. Baby flutters during week 14 often feel like a gentle tapping or fluttering in a consistent area on your lower belly. They come and go in patterns rather than randomly. Over time, you’ll recognize your baby’s unique activity.

What tests are recommended during the second trimester?

Common second trimester screening tests include a quad marker screen at 15-20 weeks to assess risk of certain birth defects; a glucose screening test for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks; and an anatomy ultrasound scan at 18-22 weeks to evaluate baby’s growth and development. Talk to your doctor about the schedule of recommended tests.

How much weight should I gain by 14 weeks?

Weight gain varies by pre-pregnancy BMI. Average recommendations are 1-4 lbs gained in the first trimester and 1 pound per week in the second and third trimesters. Focus on eating healthy rather than sticking to strict numbers. Let your doctor know if you have any concerns about your weight gain.

When will I have my first ultrasound?

Many women have their first ultrasound during week 14, but timing varies. Earlier ultrasounds may be done to confirm due date. Later routine ultrasounds scan for structural abnormalities. Multiple scans may be recommended for high-risk pregnancies. Ask your doctor about the purpose and timing of recommended ultrasounds.

The Takeaway

As you reach 14 weeks pregnant, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re that much closer to holding your baby in your arms. This exciting time is when your energy rebounds, your baby’s movements start, and your pregnancy feels more real.

Focus on nourishing your body, bonding with your growing baby, and enjoying this special time as much as possible. Take it easy when you need to and don’t hesitate to ask your practitioner about any concerns. Before you know it, your nine month journey will fly by!