14 weeks pregnant: what can I expect?
When you are 14 weeks pregnant you will want to look into ante natal classes and start a healthy exercise regime to maintain your weight gain at a steady level.Antenatal classes can be a useful tool for you to socialize with other pregnant women and their families. These classes will help you in many ways such as,
How to make your pregnancy easy
You will learn about prenatal development
Along with reading information online this can be another resource where you get your pregnancy information from
How to tell when you are in labor
Different pain medications during labor
How to tell danger signs during pregnancy
You can contact your doctor or local hospital for more information on exercise groups and antenatal classes for you to join.
Physical changes in you during week 14
At week 14 you will start to develop what is called the “mask of pregnancy”. Hormonal changes will increase skin pigmentation resulting in dark spots on your forehead, cheeks nose and mouth. These brown spots are referred to as mask of pregnancy. If you were taking contraceptive pills before you might notice this more on your skin. Wear appropriate sun screen to prevent more dark spots on your skin.
During your pregnancy you will feel more warm than usual. You will often complain to your partner that it’s getting hotter and your partner will retort he feels no such thing. This is because of the increased blood circulation in your body that supports you and your growing baby. Take iron supplements or eat iron rich food like spinach to increase your red blood cell count.
It’s normal to feel forgetful and strange during pregnancy. It’s all because of your hormones and Mother Nature. The joy of being pregnant overshadows everything at this stage.
If you sport piercings on your navel, you might want to take it out. Your navel is going to get enlarged in the coming weeks; the fancy piercing will irritate you.
Infrequent bowel movements are a common problem during pregnancy. Your tummy may look bloated when you haven’t been able to go the bathroom. Some days when your stomach is empty your tummy may look flat. Continue to eat fiber rich fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water to improve your bowel movements.
A retroverted uterus means your uterus is tipped backwards towards your rectum rather than forward towards your belly. As your pregnancy develops your uterus will tilt forward. It won’t cause you any problems during your pregnancy. You can consult your doctor to have it corrected if it bothers you.
Emotional changes in you at week 14
Mood swings are common during pregnancy. Your moods will be like a roller coaster ride. One minute you will be up and the next minute you will be down. Eat a little chocolate when you start to feel cranky. Watching comedy sitcoms like Friends or Seinfeld will lift your spirits up.
As your body is changing you will start to feel more stressed. You will wonder if your breasts are going to sag and if you will have horrible stretch marks. Wear well fitting maternity bra to avoid droopy breasts. Apply a high quality moisturizing cream to prevent stretch marks and dry skin during pregnancy. Creams with cocoa butter and vitamin E are extremely beneficial in preventing stretch marks.
You might start to feel relaxed and worry less because the risk of miscarriage is reduced. Use this time to pamper yourself and purchase baby things.
How’s my baby doing?
Your baby’s growth will be impressive by this week. It will be around half the size of a banana.
Your baby’s body will catch up with the growth of your baby’s head.
Your baby will continue to develop strong facial features this week. This will be the time when it starts to resemble you or your partner.
Your baby can hear sounds and feel pain at this stage.
Your baby will now have unique fingerprints.
Fine hair that will cover and protect your baby’s skin will develop on your baby’s body this week.
Your baby’s heartbeat will beat at twice the rate of your heartbeat.
Useful tips for you for week 14
This is the best time for you to make travel plans as there are fewer complications at this stage. During the first trimester you would have been unable to travel because of morning sickness. You can take that beach holiday that you were planning to go before your pregnancy started.
Don’t starve yourself. Eat whenever you feel hungry. Eating small meals frequently will prevent you from snacking.
Don’t forget to eat fiber rich foods to avoid constipation. If you love strawberries eat more of it. It’s easier to increase your fiber intake when you eat fruits you love.
If you haven’t shopped for maternity clothes yet now would be a perfect time. Get clothes that you will be able to wear until the end of your pregnancy. If you get clothes that fit right at this stage, few weeks down the line when your size changes you might not be able to wear it.