14 Weeks Pregnant: Your Weekly Pregnancy Guide
by Jess Wartinger
Dec 20, 2018
Congratulations! At 14 weeks pregnant you’ve officially entered the second trimester. You’re four months into this pregnancy and one-third of the way to meeting your new baby.
Pregnancy Week 14 Guide
In this week’s guide we’ll take a look at how your baby is growing, how you may be feeling, and the essential pieces of your pregnancy wardrobe.
Baby’s Development at 14 Weeks Pregnant
The second trimester is a time of considerable growth for baby. Since last week, your little one has almost doubled his weight and is now tipping the scales at 1.5 ounces. He’s 3.5 inches long and approximately the size of a lemon, peach, or your own clenched fist.
Each week we’ll see your little one looking more distinctly newborn-like. Her neck is lengthening, head is more erect, and arms and legs are growing longer. Soon she’ll look even more proportional.
With all this growth comes increased abilities. Your baby can now make facial movements such as squinting, frowning, and grimacing. He’s stretching and moving quite often (although it’ll be several more weeks before you feel his first movements).
If you were to get a glimpse of your baby, you’re likely to see hair and eyebrows beginning to grow. In addition, your little one’s body is becoming covered in a fine hair (called lanugo) which will keep him warm in the coming months until he plumps up. Don’t worry, this hair will likely have vanished completely by baby’s birthday.
Mom’s Changing Body at 14 Weeks Pregnant
For many women, the second trimester is the most comfortable of the three. So much that some refer to it at the golden trimester or honeymoon phase.
While you might not be quite back to feeling yourself again, the tricky first trimester symptoms should gradually continue to fade. Here’s how you may be feeling during pregnancy week 14:
- Fatigue begins to lessen and energy picks up.
- Breasts aren’t as tender.
- Food cravings and aversions aren’t as noticeable.
In addition, you may also notice the following:
- Your hair becomes thicker and even shinier.
- Heartburn becomes worse when lying down at night.
- You start to feel a sharp or jabbing pain in your lower abdomen. This is likely round ligament pain and can be triggered by rapid movements such as rolling over, standing up too quickly, coughing, or even laughing. Although a normal part of the second trimester for me, if it becomes worrisome make sure to chat with your doctor about this.
Pregnancy Wardrobe Essentials for the Second Trimester
By the second trimester, my bump is showing and looking more distinctly pregnant and less like I put on some holiday weight. I’m also feeling well enough that I’m ready to get up and show it off.
After five pregnancies, I’ve found some tried and true items that are essentials in my second trimester pregnancy wardrobe. If you’re looking for a capsule wardrobe for this stage of pregnancy, here are your must-haves during the second trimester:
- Bottoms - Focus on leggings, a dressy pair of pants, and a couple pairs of jeans to rotate between.
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- Tanks - Choose several basic colors that will fit snugly with your growing belly and coordinate with anything.
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- Tops - Look for a few tops that will match several pairs of leggings or pants and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Tunic-length tops and layering sweaters work well and will fit throughout your pregnancy.
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- Dresses - If you will need dressy options search for a basic dress or two that you can modify the look of with your accessories.
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- Accessories - Embellish your outfits with your pre-pregnancy accessories such as necklaces and scarves.
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A Dad’s Perspective Through Pregnancy Week 14
When packages of new clothes start showing up at the door around week 14, I have to fight the urge to be a frugal killjoy. Her body is a noticeably different shape and changing every week now. It makes sense to get some sensible items that will fit comfortably, adapt to the changes, and (perhaps most importantly) let her feel as cute as she is.
If she’s like 99% of pregnant women, she’ll occasionally get discouraged about her image as her body changes. Having stylish pants that can button again helps to reinforce the truth: she’s cute with a baby bump!
Pregnancy Week 14 Wrap-Up
While I’m not quite back to feeling 100% yet, by week 14 I’m beginning to see an end to the overwhelming fatigue and bouts of nausea. My family can tell I’m up for more fun and games and I’m thankful to have entered a new stage in this pregnancy.
Are you looking for information about each week of your pregnancy? Join me (and my husband) as we journey through my current pregnancy with our sixth child.
Jess Wartinger
Jess Wartinger resides in rural New York with her husband and five children. Formerly an early elementary teacher, Jess currently spends her time loving her kids and holding down the fort at home.