Week 14

Your Body

You may be getting a little forgetful, feeling what some women call the ‘fog’ of pregnancy.

As your baby grows, so will your 14 weeks pregnant belly, although your bump isn’t likely to be very noticeable at this point. If you’re feeling uncomfortable make a point of wearing loose-fitting clothes.
You might find that because of increased swelling in your nasal passage that you have begun snoring. During pregnancy you have an increased volume of bloody pumping around your body, which is causing the nasal congestion. Nosebleeds can also occur because the blood vessels in your nose are quite fragile. If you’re experience heavy nosebleeds regularly, speak to your doctor.

Your uterus is now about the size of a grapefruit. Because of continued bathroom breaks and since you may be beginning to show, finding a comfortable sleeping position can be a challenge. Heartburn, indigestion, and flatulence occur more often as your stomach loses space to the uterus.

Your doctor may recommend some different prenatal tests during the next few weeks. Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP) (Quad or Triple Screen) screen for neural tube defects. Under certain circumstances (for example, if you’re older than 35), your health care provider may discuss amniocentesis with you. Amniocentesis is a test usually done between 15 and 18 weeks that can detect abnormalities in a fetus, such as Down syndrome. During this test, a very thin needle is inserted into the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the uterus and a sample of the fluid is taken and analyzed. Amniocentesis does carry a very slight risk of miscarriage, so talk to your health care provider about your concerns and the risks and advantages of the test.

The human body is an amazing thing – wondrous in its ability to create another human life. In creating this new life, your body needs to undergo some noticeable changes. Your breasts should have grown in size by now and the areolas (the darker area around the nipple) should have become much darker and increased in size as well – in preparation for breastfeeding. Another change is the appearance of a dark line, known as a linea negra, from the pubic bone to the belly button. This line is caused by pregnancy hormones, but will in most cases disappear a few months after your baby has been born.

Your Baby’s Development

Your baby now weighs about 1.6 ounces (45 grams) and is about 3.5 inches (9 cm) long from crown to rump. Your baby is now producing urine and actually urinating into the amniotic fluid. It also can practice “breathing” the amniotic fluid in and out of its lungs. Amniotic fluid is an amazing substance. It completely regenerates itself every three hours. We do know that it is partially composed of urine from the baby, but where amniotic fluid in general is made we are not sure. Modern medicine still has some surprises left.

S/he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements. The eyes and ears continue to move and develop, the neck is still getting longer, and the baby’s chin no longer rests on his/her chest. The hands are becoming functional, and the baby is beginning to learn to move/use them (probably more reflex than anything). At this point, our little one is receiving all of his/her nourishment from the placenta. At this stage, your baby’s hair on its scalp and eyebrows will begin to appear. Your child’s thyroid glands are producing hormones and their bones are hardening. If your baby is a girl, her ovaries are developing; if a boy, his prostate is developing. Baby still has transparent skin now covered in very fine hair called lanugo. Thumb sucking and a lot of wiggling and movement continue.
By this week, some fine hairs have developed on your baby’s face.