14. WOP

Important facts about the 14th week: What you should know

At around 8 cm and 40 g, your baby is now the size of a lemon.

It is in the growth phase and is therefore rapidly increasing in size and weight. This is also reflected more and more in your growing baby bump.

As the pregnancy symptoms subside, most expectant mothers feel fit and agile again in the 14th week of pregnancy. From a medical point of view, the pregnancy is now considered safe because the risky early stages are over.

Physically and mentally, you have just arrived at the calmest and most pleasant phase of pregnancy – but there is still a lot going on in your body. We will show you what is going on in your body during the 14th week of pregnancy.

This is what happens to you

The first months with the early pregnancy symptoms are behind you and your body has adapted to the new situation.

The 14th week of pregnancy is the right time to simply enjoy your pregnancy and stop worrying about a miscarriage. From a medical point of view, after the first three months the critical phase of pregnancy is over and the risk of miscarriage has been reduced to a minimum.

Therefore, you will also receive your maternity passport. In your maternity passport, all important results of the preventive examinations and the course of the pregnancy are documented. It is important that you always carry your maternity passport with you so that all important information is immediately available in an emergency.

Weight gain: The baby bump is coming

Slowly but surely, the long-awaited baby bump is forming. You will also notice on the scales that your weight is slowly increasing.

This is because your baby is in the phase of growth and weight gain . Of course, this also affects your weight and is reflected in the growing baby bump.

So it’s not so much fat deposits that cause weight gain. It is much more the growing uterus, the placenta, the breast tissue, the increase in amniotic fluid and, of course, the growing fetus that cause you to gain weight.

Weight gain is very individual. Therefore, it is impossible to say how many kilos you will gain and how many kilos you will gain. Do not worry about it. If your weight development is noticeable and alarming, your doctor will determine this.

Child movements

Theoretically, it is already possible to feel your baby for the first time in the 14th week of pregnancy. So far, however, you can only feel the movements very delicately.

So when you are expecting your first baby, you may well hardly notice them. In your second pregnancy, you already know what your baby’s first delicate movements feel like and can classify them more easily.

Many expectant mothers describe it as a slight fluttering in the belly or a gentle sliding along the inner abdominal wall. You can increase your sensitivity to your baby’s first movements by relaxing in a warm bath in the tub, or lying quietly on your back and gently placing a hand on your belly.

Desire for sex

From the 14th week of pregnancy, many women’s desire for sexual activity increases again as the symptoms subside. You can pursue this without hesitation. Sex is often perceived as particularly intense at this stage of pregnancy. This is due to the increased blood flow to the genital area.

You don’t have to worry about your baby, on the contrary: your baby also benefits from your increased well-being. It also senses when you and your partner are close and comfortable. The love between you is then also transferred to your offspring.

Tip for fathers-to-be

Not only your wife – you are also stressed by the events of the last weeks. Treat yourselves to a little rest and surprise your wife with a TV evening in the home theater.

Pregnancy symptoms in the 14th week and what you can do about them

Inner restlessness

Some women suffer more from inner restlessness during the 14th week of pregnancy. This is due to the increased estrogen level. This can lead to restlessness and problems falling asleep.

It is completely normal that you worry a lot. You want to do everything right during pregnancy, you worry whether everything will go well and you wonder whether you will be a good mother.

Often it helps to talk about it. Share your worries and fears with your partner and people close to you. Take it easy and treat yourself to some wellness or other activities that help you relax. This will help you get your mind off things.

Increased risk of catching a cold

During the 14th week of pregnancy, the risk of catching a cold and bladder infection increases. That’s why it’s important to give yourself enough time off and rest.

Your body is intensively occupied with the care and development of your baby. This puts a lot of strain on it. Therefore, your immune system is more susceptible to cold viruses and other germs.

You can avoid a cold by avoiding getting drafts, washing your hands regularly to get rid of germs and generally taking care of your health.

Of course, this does not eliminate all possibilities of infection. However, if you do catch a cold, it is not a big deal. A small cold is no reason to worry about your baby.

Besides, a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle prevent illness. Light exercise and many small meals help to prevent illness.

Sluggish digestion

There is more progesterone in the body during the 14th week of pregnancy. This in turn has a calming effect on the body. However, it also makes digestion sluggish.

Light sports training and long walks get the bowels going again and help to get rid of the problems.

Constipation

Progesterone not only makes for sluggish digestion, but combined with increased estrogen levels , it can often lead to constipation. A hot water bottle, a digestive walk or a relaxing bath can help your digestion. Furthermore, drinking plenty of fluids is important to prevent constipation!

Caution: At first glance, laxatives seem like a propitious means to provide quick relief. But many laxatives can cause premature labor, which is why they should be taken with caution and only under consultation with a doctor. Better are natural home remedies such as herbal tea.

Fatigue

You’re often tired but still have trouble falling asleep at night? No need to worry. Inner restlessness often triggers a feeling of exhaustion , although your body is not tired at all. Yoga, light exercise or a soothing tea can help you relax.

What can be seen on the ultrasound during the 14th week of pregnancy?

The facial features are already clearly visible on the ultrasound. The mouth, nose, ears, eyelashes and eyes can be clearly seen.

At the right moment, you can also observe your baby yawning, frowning or playing with the umbilical cord.

What is the risk of miscarriage in the 14th week of pregnancy?

Pregnancy is in its safest phase from the 14th week. Miscarriages rarely happen during this time. The risk of miscarriage is about 0.5% until the 24th week.

This means that you do not have to worry about miscarriage. However, if you are unsure, your midwife and your gynecologist are of course always there for you.

What happens to the baby

Cheese is produced by the sebaceous glands and already covers the body of the fetus in the 14th week of gestation. In this way, the sensitive skin is optimally protected.

Your baby’s movements become more and more purposeful as the bones continue to stiffen. He sucks on his finger, plays with the umbilical cord and swims lively through the amniotic fluid.

Because the fetus drinks and excretes amniotic fluid, the fluid in the amniotic sac is completely replaced every three hours.

How your baby develops during the 14th week of gestation

In the 14th week of gestation, the baby’s focus is primarily on growth and the development and maturation of the organs. By now, the baby is about 8 cm tall, weighs about 40 g and is the size of a lemon.

Even though the organs are still miniature due to the small size of the fetus, they are already starting their work. The liver of the fetus produces the first bile and the pancreas begins to produce insulin. In addition, the first white blood cells are formed.

The “lanugo coat” forms by the 19th week of gestation and covers the entire body of the fetus together with the cheese

coat to protect the skin. This “baby fur” falls out in the first few days after birth.

This is important now

Planning

Pregnancy is considered safe in the second trimester. Now you can and should really start planning. Find the right midwife for you and think about the course of the coming months. Then you can be well prepared and relaxed and let everything come to you.

It is also advisable to book a childbirth preparation course from the 20th week of pregnancy. In many places, the places are quickly sold out. You can also coordinate other appointments, such as check-ups, now. Then you won’t have to worry about them later.

Nutrition

Your need for calories increases slightly in the second trimester of pregnancy. Your body can use about 250 to 300 kcal more per day in the 14th week of pregnancy.

You should be able to cover this additional requirement with an extra sandwich or roll.

It is also important that you drink enough. Ideally 3 liters a day. The growing belly stretches the skin and puts strain on it. With enough fluid, the skin remains elastic and can expand better.

Time for vacation

In the 14th week of pregnancy you feel fit and well in your body again and can be active. Your baby bump is already visible, but not yet so big that it restricts you.

Therefore, it is the right time if you want to take a vacation without your baby. Even long-distance flights

are theoretically no problem in the 14th week of pregnancy.

There is only an increased risk of thrombosis. However, you can prevent this by using thrombosis stockings.

The risk of thrombosis is increased during pregnancy because the change in hormone balance affects blood clotting. In addition, the elasticity of the vein walls decreases and the blood vessels become wider.

In itself, you do not need to worry about this if you are active in your everyday life during your pregnancy, have no complaints in the legs and move regularly in everyday life.

If you sit a lot during the day, are older than 35, overweight or suffer from other factors that increase the risk of thrombosis, you should talk to your doctor or midwife and take a closer look at the issue.

Dental care

From the 14th week of gestation, the mother-to-be has an increased calcium requirement, as calcium is needed for the bone formation of the fetus. This must be taken in through food, otherwise it will be taken away from your teeth.

This would lead to tooth loss and a hormonally induced caries risk. Cleaning your teeth at the dentist, flossing and taking in plenty of calcium will counteract this. Approximately 1000 mg of calcium should be consumed daily during pregnancy. Good sources of calcium are calcium-rich mineral water, spinach, dairy products, broccoli and kale.

You can therefore cover your calcium requirements on your own by eating the right foods. If you are still unsure whether everything is okay with your teeth, you can have them checked by your dentist and get advice on how to proceed.

This is how you can support your body in the 14th week of pregnancy

Sports

The typical pregnancy complaints of the first weeks and months, during which you had to take it easy physically, have subsided. You feel physically better and fitter again.

The 14th week of pregnancy and the following weeks can therefore be used for light exercise. This will keep you fit and prepare your body very well for the birth. Optimal sports include aqua gymnastics, jogging, cycling, swimming, hiking and walking.

If you have any questions or uncertainties, you can always ask your gynecologist, because of course you want to be fit for the birth, but you should not overexert yourself.

Massage

You can still lie on your stomach without any problems during the 14th week of pregnancy. That’s why it’s the perfect time to let yourself be pampered with a massage.

This is not only relaxing, but also a blessing for your back, which will have to bear a lot in the next few months.

In addition, the skin in the abdominal area is stressed week after week by the growing baby bump and must continue to expand. By gently massaging your skin with creams and lotions such as coconut or almond oil, you also increase its elasticity and support its stretching to prevent stretch marks as much as possible.

Midwife tip

Pregnancy in the 14th WOP is in the phase with the lowest risk of miscarriage. Most pregnant women now feel physically and mentally fit again.

So you don’t have to worry. Therefore, enjoy now the beautiful sides of pregnancy and enjoy the moment to the fullest.

FAQ

What happens in the 14th WOP?

In the 14th week of gestation, the fetus is in the growth phase and therefore increases significantly in size and weight from now on. This is also reflected in the weight and girth of the expectant mother’s baby bump.

How big is the baby in the 14th weeks gestation?

The baby is about 8 cm tall at 14 weeks gestation, the size of a lemon.

What do you feel in the 14th WOP?

Most of the pregnancy symptoms have subsided, so many women feel very well and fit in the 14th week of pregnancy. With luck, the baby’s movements can be easily felt for the first time.

WOP 14 videos

Nicole tells you more about her 14th WOP in her first pregnancy.

Michelle takes you into her 14th WOP and reports her ultrasound results.

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