14 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

At 14 weeks pregnant, symptoms you felt in the first trimester might be fading. But don’t be surprised if they don’t vanish right away. Be patient and take it easy! Here are some new pregnancy symptoms you may be feeling at 14 weeks:

• Round ligament pain. Yowch! You’re probably feeling some aches and pains as your muscles and ligaments stretch to accommodate your growing baby. At 14 weeks pregnant, cramps are often because of round ligament pain, but if you have any concerns, talk to your doctor.
• Increased energy. As you emerge from the nasties of the first trimester, you’re probably getting your energy back. #ThankGoodness
• Increased appetite. Tummy’s rumbling? Once morning sickness starts to go away, you might find your appetite on overdrive. Remember that what you eat is fueling baby’s rapid growth. You should aim to eat about 300 extra calories per day. If you’re 14 weeks pregnant with twins, you’ll want to eat about 680 extra calories per day now that you’re in your second trimester. Keep plenty of healthy snacks by your side just in case you get the munchies. It’s important—for you and for baby—that you don’t indulge in too many greasy, fatty foods, so you’re both getting the right nutrients. (Of course, the occasional bowl of ice cream is totally okay.)
• Thicker, shinier hair. You might notice your hair getting thicker and shinier, one of the (few) attractive side effects of pregnancy.

14 WEEKS PREGNANT BELLY

Your 14-week pregnant belly might be feeling achy and sore, but that’s simply because your uterus is expanding to accommodate your rapidly growing baby.

Don’t be surprised if weight gain starts to speed up at 14 weeks pregnant. If you started out at an average BMI, doctors recommend you gain about one to two pounds per week starting at 14 weeks pregnant. If you’re 14 weeks pregnant with twins, your weight gain goal will be about the same as singleton moms until week 20 when you should start gaining a bit more. Of course, if you started out underweight or with a high BMI—or if you lost or gained a significant amount of weight in the first trimester—your doctor might recommend a slightly different weight gain goal.

If you found yourself shying away from exercise during trimester one, now that you have your energy back, it’s time to get back on track. Consider taking a prenatal yoga class or simply get that 14 weeks pregnant belly out for a walk!

Typically, there isn’t a 14-week ultrasound. You likely had an ultrasound in your first trimester and won’t have one again until the anatomy scan (a.k.a. mid-pregnancy ultrasound), which usually happens between weeks 18 and 22. The doctor will also use an ultrasound if you plan to have an amniocentesis (between weeks 15 and 20).

If you did have glimpse inside your 14 weeks pregnant belly, you would see that baby’s wiggling his or her toes in there and may even be thumb sucking!

A 14-week fetus’ kidneys are making urine, and the liver and spleen are doing their jobs too. You might be surprised to hear that baby at 14 weeks is growing lanugo, a thin, peach fuzz-like hair, all over—it’ll help keep the body warm!

At a 14 weeks pregnant ultrasound, baby’s gender might be difficult to make out. Be patient! If you want to find out if you’re having a boy or a girl, you will likely be able to find out in just a few weeks at the anatomy scan.