In this article you will be able to read about everything related to your pregnancy in week 14. You'll find information about the baby's development, how the mother's body is changing and tips you might need along the way. When you are 14 weeks pregnant, the fetus is the size of an apple!

Baby: The skeleton is hardening

The fetus is about 7.5 cm long between head and tail and weighs around 70 grams. The growth period is very strong right now!

Development

The organs are not fully developed yet, but they are ready enough to actually work. The skeleton, which was previously soft, is hardening to make the growing body more stable. The body is currently trying to catch up with the head, which is still about half the size of the fetus.

An ultrasound would show that the fetus is moving its arms and legs or bringing its hands to its mouth already and is moving at full speed. The fetus can also swallow amniotic fluid now!

Heart and blood circulation

You can now listen to the baby's heartbeat using a heart sound monitor! The heart, which has been beating and pumping blood around since week 7 (6+0), adapts its circulation to pump blood through the heart so that it does not have to pass through the lungs during pregnancy. You could say it's a shortcut, and for the shortcut to work, there is a hole between the two atria of the heart. When the baby takes its first breath, the hole between the two atria will be compressed and the baby will have normal blood circulation.

By now, the fetus' skin is thin and translucent, and covered with small, thin hairs called wool hairs. The fetus is also starting to grow eyebrows and hair on its head.

Mom: Now you're 14 weeks pregnant and entering the second trimester

Now your uterus is about the size of a grapefruit and your baby is about the size of a lemon. And when this week is over, you will finally enter the second trimester!

Your way of life

Have you possibly regained more energy? Try to use your newfound strength for things that make you happy and feel good. For many people, social activities and events can feel most enjoyable during the second trimester, which you are now approaching. However, don't feel pressured, but listen to your body and what you need to feel good.

The heavier you get, the greater the strain on your body. If you have regained your strength, it is therefore a golden opportunity to strengthen your body for what lies ahead. Remember that carrying a baby - both when it's inside and when it comes out - can be really heavy!

The impact of hormones on skin and hair

Have you noticed smoother skin or shinier hair than usual? It's not for nothing that we talk about pregnancy glow! It's due to the increased blood flow and pregnancy hormones in the body that affect the phasing and growth of hair follicles. We actually lose lots of hair every day, but not as much during pregnancy; instead, it will fall out after giving birth. So the hair loss you will notice later will have nothing to do with nutritional deficiency or breastfeeding.

In addition to having very bright skin, the skin can also be affected by hormonal pigmentation during pregnancy. Many pregnant women develop a dark stripe across the belly that extends roughly from the breast down to the vagina, called the Linea Nigra. Some also develop darker skin around the nipples. The darkness usually fades after delivery.

The skin on the face can also be affected by pigment spots, commonly known as melasma or chloasma. The pigmentation is rarely permanent, but you should be careful about sunbathing as it can trigger the pigment. Use high sun protection between April and October, but remember that even the winter sun is strong and can cause pigment changes!

You can read about week 13 here.

You can read about week 15 here.