14 Weeks Pregnant: Baby Development, Symptoms and Tips
Short Answer: At 14 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 8.5 cm long, roughly the size of a lemon or a nectarine, and weighs around 40 to 45 grams. You are in the second trimester, often the most comfortable stretch of pregnancy. Nausea and tiredness usually ease, your energy and appetite return and a small bump may appear. Your baby is growing fine hair, practising facial movements and passing urine into the amniotic fluid. If you missed the nuchal translucency scan, ask your doctor about NIPT or second-trimester screening. Keep taking folic acid and the iron your doctor prescribes, stay active and call a doctor for heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever or vomiting you cannot control.
Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, not from conception. Fourteen weeks pregnant means about twelve weeks since conception. You are in your fourth month, with about 26 weeks to go. For the week before, read our guide to 13 weeks pregnant, for the next, 15 weeks pregnant, and to follow the whole journey see our pregnancy guidelines week by week.
Week 14 at a glance
| Detail | At 14 weeks |
|---|---|
| Trimester | Second (weeks 14 to 27) |
| Months | About 3.5 |
| Baby’s length | About 8.5 cm (3.4 inches) |
| Baby’s weight | About 40 to 45 grams |
| Heart rate | About 150 to 160 beats per minute |
| Weeks to go | About 26 |
| Size comparison | A lemon or a nectarine |
Your baby at 14 weeks
Growth. Your baby is growing fast. The body is now catching up with the head, and the legs are longer than they were a few weeks ago. The neck is longer, so the head can lift and turn.
Face. The facial muscles are working, so your baby can squint, frown and move the mouth. These movements are reflexes, not feelings, but you may see them on a scan. The eyes have moved close to their final position at the front of the head, though the eyelids stay closed. The ears have moved up the sides of the head. Fine hair is starting to grow, and eyebrows are appearing.
Skin and hair. The skin is still thin and see-through, and blood vessels show beneath it. A fine, soft covering of hair called lanugo starts to grow. It keeps the baby warm for now and mostly disappears before birth.
Organs. The kidneys make urine, which passes into the amniotic fluid. The thyroid gland is starting to work. The spleen is helping make red blood cells, and the liver is producing bile. The intestines are working, and the pancreas is making insulin.
Hands and feet. Fingers and toes are fully formed, with nails starting to grow. Your baby can grasp, make a fist, put a hand to the mouth and suck a thumb.
Movement. Your baby is very active, with kicks, stretches, turns and hiccups. Because your baby is small and the womb is roomy, you will not feel it yet. Most people feel the first flutters between 16 and 22 weeks. First-time mothers often feel them later, and a back-lying placenta can delay it even more.
Sex. The genitals are developed enough that a skilled sonographer may suggest the sex on a scan, though it can still be wrong. The anomaly scan at 18 to 22 weeks gives a more reliable answer, if you want to know.
Your body at 14 weeks
Womb. Your womb has risen out of the pelvis and sits just above the pubic bone. A small, firm bump may be visible, especially if you have been pregnant before. Many first-time mothers do not show until week 16 or later. Bloating from the first trimester can also fade, so your belly may look different from week to week.
Hormones. hCG has dropped from its peak, and the placenta now makes most of the pregnancy hormones. Estrogen and progesterone are high. This shift is why nausea and exhaustion usually ease at this stage.
Energy and appetite. Many people feel better than they have in weeks. Your appetite returns, and you may be hungrier than before. Your body needs about 300 extra calories a day now, which is a small meal or a snack, not a second dinner.
Blood and circulation. Your blood volume is rising quickly, which can cause dizziness, a stuffy nose, nosebleeds and visible veins.
Skin and hair. You may notice a glow, or acne and dry skin. Dark patches on the face (melasma) and a dark line down the belly (linea nigra) can appear. Hair often looks thicker because less of it is shed.
Sex drive. Many people notice that desire returns or rises as nausea fades. This is normal.
Weight. Weight gain picks up in the second trimester, and a person of normal weight usually gains about 0.4 to 0.5 kg a week.
Common symptoms and what helps
| Symptom | Why it happens | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Round ligament pain, a sharp pull in the lower belly or groin | Ligaments stretch as the womb grows | Move slowly, change position, rest, warm bath |
| Lingering nausea | Hormones still high | Small meals, dry biscuits, ginger tea, cold sips of water |
| Bloating and gas | Slower digestion | Smaller meals, avoid fizzy drinks, short walks |
| Constipation | Slow gut, iron tablets | Fibre, water, daily movement |
| Heartburn | Relaxed valve at the top of the stomach | Smaller meals, avoid spicy and oily food, stay upright after eating |
| Stuffy nose, nosebleeds | More blood flow to the nose lining | Saline spray, a humidifier, pinch the nose and lean forward for a bleed |
| Headaches | Hormones, tiredness, dehydration | Rest, fluids, ask your doctor before taking medicine |
| Dizziness | Blood pressure changes, low blood sugar | Eat regularly, stand up slowly |
| Bleeding gums | More blood flow to the gums | Soft brush, gentle flossing, dental check |
| Increased vaginal discharge | Hormones | Cotton underwear, no douching |
| Leg cramps, mostly at night | Circulation and mineral changes | Gentle calf stretches, drink water, ask your doctor about calcium |
| Skin changes | Hormones | Sunscreen and a hat, gentle moisturiser |
| Itchy, stretching skin on the belly | Skin stretching | Moisturiser, loose cotton clothes |
Do not start vitamin B6, anti-nausea medicine or herbal remedies without your doctor’s advice.
When to call a doctor
| Usually normal | Call a doctor soon |
|---|---|
| Short, sharp pulls in the lower belly | Severe or constant abdominal pain |
| Mild cramps after activity that settle with rest | Bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour, or with clots |
| Milky white discharge | Watery fluid leaking, or foul, itchy or coloured discharge |
| Occasional headache | Severe headache with blurred vision or swelling |
| Tiredness, mood swings | Fainting, severe dizziness or shoulder-tip pain |
| Mild nausea | Cannot keep water down for 24 hours, dark urine or fast weight loss |
| Breast tenderness | Fever, burning urination or pain in one calf |
Report any bleeding to your doctor, even if it is light. Severe, constant vomiting can be hyperemesis gravidarum, which is treatable. If you feel sad, anxious or hopeless for more than two weeks, tell your doctor. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, seek help right away.
Visits and tests in the second trimester
The World Health Organization recommends at least eight prenatal contacts during pregnancy, with the first in the first 12 weeks. Many doctors see you every four weeks until about 28 weeks, then more often. Each visit usually checks your blood pressure, weight, belly size, urine and the baby’s heartbeat.
| Test or step | When | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Nuchal translucency scan | Up to 13 weeks and 6 days | First-trimester screening. If missed, ask about alternatives |
| NIPT (blood test) | From 10 weeks | Screens for Down syndrome and some other conditions |
| Second-trimester screening (quad test) | About 15 to 20 weeks | Blood test that estimates the chance of some chromosome conditions and neural tube defects |
| Amniocentesis | From 15 to 16 weeks | Diagnostic test if screening shows a higher chance |
| Anomaly scan | 18 to 22 weeks | Checks organs, growth, placenta and often the sex |
| Glucose test | 24 to 28 weeks | Screens for gestational diabetes |
| Anti-D injection | About 28 weeks, if you are Rh negative | Protects future pregnancies |
| Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine | During pregnancy, as your doctor advises | Protects you and your baby |
A screening result is a chance, not a diagnosis. A low chance is reassuring but not a guarantee. A higher chance means you can talk to your doctor about diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis. Most people with a higher chance result still have a healthy baby.
Ask your doctor about your hemoglobin, blood sugar and thalassemia screening if they have not been done. Thalassemia is common in South Asia. Ask about calcium too. Your doctor may recommend calcium supplements from about 20 weeks, because calcium helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure in pregnancy in people whose diet is low in it.
Nutrition and weight gain
Eat more of:
- Protein: eggs, well-cooked fish, chicken, lentils (dal), beans and milk
- Iron-rich foods: leafy greens (shak), lean meat and lentils, with lemon or guava for vitamin C
- Fruit and vegetables: a variety of colours every day
- Whole grains and fibre: brown rice, whole wheat roti and oats
- Calcium: milk, yogurt and small fish eaten with the bones
- Water: about 8 to 10 glasses across the day
Take as advised: folic acid, iron-folic acid tablets, calcium and vitamin D as your doctor prescribes. Do not add extra supplements on your own. Iron tablets work best away from tea and milk, and with something sour such as lemon.
Limit: caffeine to about 200 mg a day, which is one or two cups of tea or a single small coffee, and sugary and fried snacks.
Avoid:
- Alcohol and all tobacco, including second-hand smoke and products like zarda and jorda
- Raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs
- Unpasteurized milk and cheese
- Unwashed fruit and vegetables
- Large predatory fish that can be high in mercury, such as shark and swordfish
- High-dose vitamin A supplements, and large amounts of liver
- Herbal tonics and remedies your doctor has not approved
Weight gain. Your doctor will track your weight at each visit. Total gain depends on your weight before pregnancy. These are general guides, and Asian-specific BMI ranges may apply, so ask your doctor.
| Weight before pregnancy | Recommended total gain |
|---|---|
| Underweight | 12.5 to 18 kg |
| Normal weight | 11.5 to 16 kg |
| Overweight | 7 to 11.5 kg |
| Obese | 5 to 9 kg |
Exercise and sleep
Move. The standard advice for healthy pregnancies is about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking on most days. Swimming, prenatal yoga, stationary cycling and pelvic floor exercises are good choices. Avoid contact sports, heavy lifting and anything with a high risk of falls. You should be able to talk while you exercise. Stop and call your doctor if you have pain, bleeding, dizziness or trouble breathing.
Pelvic floor. Squeeze and lift the muscles you use to stop urine flow, hold for a few seconds and release. Do a few sets a day. Strong pelvic floor muscles help with bladder control during and after pregnancy.
Sleep. Start sleeping on your side, with a pillow between your knees and another under your belly. After about 20 weeks, doctors advise against sleeping flat on your back. Go to bed at the same time each night, and avoid screens before bed.
Make the most of your energy
The second trimester is a good window to get things done before the third trimester slows you down.
- Go to a dentist. Dental treatment is safe in pregnancy and gum problems are common now.
- Plan travel. Short trips are most comfortable now. Check with your doctor first and carry your prenatal records.
- Talk to your employer about leave. Under Bangladesh’s labour law, working mothers in the private sector are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, eight before and eight after the birth. Government employees receive six months. Check your own contract.
- Start a budget for baby costs, delivery and any hospital package you want.
- Choose where you will give birth, and visit the hospital or clinic if you can.
- Look for a prenatal class, or ask your doctor for local options.
- Buy a few comfortable clothes, a supportive bra and flat shoes. You do not need a full set of maternity wear.
Feelings and relationships
Many people feel calmer in the second trimester, but feelings still change. You may feel excited, anxious or both. Talk about your worries with your partner or someone you trust. Partners can help by coming to appointments, taking on chores and listening. Sex is safe for most healthy pregnancies unless your doctor advises otherwise, and many couples find intimacy easier now. If sadness, anxiety or worry lasts for two weeks or more, or affects your sleep and eating, tell your doctor. Mental health care is part of prenatal care.
Checklist for this week
- Book your next prenatal visit and the anomaly scan for 18 to 22 weeks
- If you missed the nuchal scan, ask about NIPT and second-trimester screening
- Take folic acid, iron-folic acid and any supplements your doctor prescribes
- Ask about calcium, thalassemia screening and the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine
- Keep a list of your medicines and share it with your doctor
- Cut caffeine, alcohol and tobacco
- Start a daily walk and pelvic floor exercises
- Book a dental check
- Check your work and maternity leave plans
- Save your doctor’s number and the nearest hospital’s emergency number
FAQ
How big is the baby at 14 weeks?
About 8.5 cm long and 40 to 45 grams, roughly the size of a lemon or a nectarine. Sizes vary a little between babies.
Is 14 weeks the second trimester?
Yes. The second trimester runs from week 14 to week 27 in most guides. Some sources start it at week 13.
Should I have a bump at 14 weeks?
Not necessarily. Many first-time mothers do not show until week 16 or later, and some show a small bump now. Both are normal.
Can I feel the baby move at 14 weeks?
No. Your baby is moving, but you will usually feel it between 16 and 22 weeks. First-time mothers often feel it later.
When does morning sickness stop?
It often eases between weeks 12 and 14, but it lasts longer for some. Tell your doctor if it is severe.
What is round ligament pain?
A short, sharp pain in the lower belly or groin, caused by the ligaments that support the womb stretching. It is usually harmless and eases with rest. Call your doctor if it is severe or comes with bleeding or fever.
Can I find out the baby’s sex at 14 weeks?
Sometimes a sonographer can guess, but it is not reliable yet. The anomaly scan at 18 to 22 weeks is more accurate.
Is it safe to exercise at 14 weeks?
Yes for most healthy pregnancies. Walking, swimming, gentle yoga and pelvic floor exercises are good. Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting.
How much weight should I gain at 14 weeks?
Most people have gained 0.5 to 2 kg or less so far. From now, a person of normal weight usually gains about 0.4 to 0.5 kg a week. Your doctor will advise you based on your own weight.
Note: This article gives general information and does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife. Every pregnancy is different. Call your doctor or go to a hospital if you have bleeding, severe pain, fainting or any symptom that worries you.
