Pregnant: What happens in week 14 of pregnancy

Your baby's development in week 14 of pregnancy

Protective downy hair: In week 14 the entire body of your baby is covered with a fine down. The so-called lanugo hair, together with the vernix caseosa, protects the fetus's skin from softening. A few days before birth, however, the fine hairs fall out again.

Sucking reflex develops: The fetus's hands have fully developed in recent weeks. He can now

now into a fist and begins in week 14 with the strengthening sucking reflex, to suck his thumb to practice sucking.

Bladder begins to function: The fetus has already learned to swallow amniotic fluid and also excretes it again. However, the kidneys do not yet function completely independently, so the urine is still very dilute. However, the little one already regularly empties its bladder. A 'contamination' is therefore not to be expected, as the mother's body replaces the amniotic fluid completely about every three hours in week 14.

Nerve cells connect: Up until 22nd week of pregnancy the nerve cells migrate through your baby's body and form new connections. The central nervous system made up of brain and spinal cord is now, despite this progressing development, already fully formed. With the increasing nerve connections, your baby can move more deliberately and exercises its muscles. How quickly this development progresses varies from child to child.

Fast-beating heart: Your little one's heart beats at around 155 times per minute. If you are stressed, your baby perceives this through signaling substances in the blood. Then its little heart even beats a little faster.

Growth of larynx, esophagus and fingernails: In week 14, the esophagus, trachea and larynx have fully developed. On the tiny fingers, the fingernails are already growing. The growth of the toenails usually doesn't start until the 18th week of pregnancy .

What can be seen on the ultrasound image?

In general, your baby's legs appear noticeably longer on the ultrasound image than before. At a size between 7 and 9 centimeters the fetus is about the size of an apple or a nectarine. In week 14 your little miracle now weighs a solid 24 grams – about as much as half a slice of bread. The weight can of course vary: it is often also between 25 and 40 grams. Compared to the previous week, a doubling of the number of grams is possible. In addition, your child can move its neck better. With a bit of luck you may see on the ultrasound that your little one has hiccups and turns and twists.

Physical changes – what happens to the mother in week 14?

Schwangerschaft 14 SSW | Schwangere auf Gymnastikball

In week 14 of pregnancy, many pregnant people notice the shift from initial pregnancy symptoms of early pregnancy to more energy and renewed excitement, which you can now enjoy to the fullest. We've summarized what else changes in your body in week 14 here.

More energy: In week 14 your body has adjusted to the hormonal changes and as pregnancy symptoms subside, energy slowly returns. Many women now resume their favorite sport or try out new exercise options: Light jogging, aqua fitness, or prenatal yoga provide a good body awareness, strengthen the muscles stressed by pregnancy and also prepare the body for childbirth.

Increased libido: After the hormonal storm of the first months has passed, many women in week 14 experience renewed desire for their partner. The vaginal area has increased blood flow during pregnancy and makes you more sensitive. There are no risks to the unborn child from sex during pregnancy – it is even thought that the baby can sense the parents' closeness and well-being.

The uterus is growing: With the baby, the uterus also grows larger. The upper edge, the fundus, can often be felt through the abdominal wall by the midwife in week 14.

Temporary varicose veins: Due to increased blood volume, the growing uterus pressing on the veins in the pelvic area and the hormonal changes that make vessel walls more elastic, many women develop during pregnancy temporary varicose veins. Regular exercise, elevating the legs and, if necessary, compression stockings help manage the discomfort.

Nasal congestion: The higher blood volume as well as the hormone progesterone often cause the nasal mucosa to swell and the nose to become congested – this is called pregnancy rhinitis. This can cause you to start snoring at night. Sea water nasal spray often reduces swelling and helps you and your partner regain restful sleep.

Edema: Edema is also known as fluid retention. Strictly speaking, these fluid accumulations in the tissues are caused by the increased blood volume and the resulting more elastic and permeable vessels. To prevent fluid retention, a vegetable-rich Nutrition during pregnancy and exercise such as sports or leisurely walks. In addition, plenty of sleep is important so that the water accumulated during the day can be released again through the skin and kidneys.

Growing belly: In week 14 of pregnancy your belly becomes increasingly noticeable. This is mainly because your child is developing and growing at a rapid pace. Especially during the period of the previous and current week of your pregnancy, the fetus has had a growth spurt of around 1.5 cm . However, not only the development of your child, but also the growth of the placenta and the amount of blood and amniotic fluid have increased significantly. Thus the fetus is surrounded by about 100 milliliters of amniotic fluid. In the 38th week of pregnancy it will be around 1.5 liters, which for space reasons will be reduced to around 800 milliliters by birth.

Mood swings: Do you sometimes feel down, replay all the details of the birth or everyday situations over and over again, and sometimes find it very difficult to be completely swept up in pure maternal happiness? All of this can be part of pregnancy. Often good talks with friends and family members. Also the contact with your midwife will certainly help you through some low moments, allowing you to talk your worries off your chest.

Stretch marks: Some women notice first stretch marks on their belly in week 14. In other mothers, the so-called stretch marks only appear in the second half of pregnancy, because the belly grows much more in an ever shorter time. Fundamentally, stretch marks do not mean anything bad, because they only indicate that a little miracle is growing inside you. The marks also do not appear in all pregnant people. If you want to counteract the external appearance, you can regularly pamper it with lotions and oils. This prepares your tissue for stretching and reduces stretch marks.

This is important in week 14 of pregnancy

Plan the nursery: If you have an extra room available in your apartment, week 14 might be the right time to fully use your energy for planning the suitable baby essentials to use. Expectant parents often convert the study or guest room to create a great room for their child. Do you have a small apartment? No reason to worry, in the first year the baby doesn't really need its own room. The crib is usually placed in the parents' bedroom and a changing table can, if necessary, fit in the bathroom or living room.

Booking a vacation: Many parents plan one last trip together around the 5th or 6th month of pregnancy. At that time travel is still not a problem and a sunny holiday destination is often chosen to recharge and enjoy time together. It's best to start planning your joint vacation now.

Appointment for a dental check-up: During pregnancy, the mother's teeth are more susceptible to cavities and gum inflammation. The old rule 'one tooth per child' does not have to apply if you pay more attention to your dental care now. A preventive appointment with the dentist is sensible in the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy – also to get tips on proper dental care if necessary.

To the 15th week of pregnancy