14th week of pregnancy for mother and baby - 4th month of pregnancy
The period of pregnancy is always a magical moment in the life of any woman, and being in the fourteenth week means that you have already entered the second trimester. The growth of the fetus is proceeding smoothly and surely you have already been able to see it with the first ultrasound. But what are the other aspects that the expectant mother must absolutely know? Before we continue reading, there is a video below with the things not to do in pregnancy.
Symptoms of the 14th week of pregnancy
At the fourteenth week of pregnancy, the energy levels of the expectant mother are stable, the appetite increases and the hated morning sickness decreases. The uterus in this month is continuing to grow and this could lead to the manifestation of some typical symptoms that we will summarize below.
- Relaxin, the hormone that slows bowel functions, causes constipation
- Muscle cramps appear in the legs due to pregnancy hormones that slow blood circulation
- Indigetion can occur along with heartburn, bloating and flatulence
- Shortness of breath
- Flu-like symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, coughing
- Headache and migraine
- Dizziness and fainting, in rare cases
- Back pain, both muscle and joint
- Pain in the round ligament of the uterus
- Pain in the coccyx
- Changes in the skin, such as the appearance of acne, rashes or moles
- Increased sebum production
- Stretch marks on the breast and belly
- Annoying itching on the stomach, chest and legs
- Sore breasts
- Mood swings
- Swollen and noticeable veins known as varicose veins caused by increased blood circulation
- Excessive salivation
See also
14th week of pregnancy: health and physical changes in the mother
Although the belly is not yet too visible, the skin of the abdomen also begins to pull around the back and chest to make room for the uterus, which is constantly growing. If you try to gently feel the area above the pubis in the lower abdomen, you can even feel the bottom of the uterus.
In these weeks of the second trimester, try to pay attention to nutrition: healthy foods low in fat and high in fiber are always the best choice, especially to avoid excessive weight gain. In this month, the nausea should be completely gone. giving way to cravings, which will be satisfied, but always without exaggerating.
The ideal weight gain, at this stage, ranges from 2 to 4 kilograms, but if you manage to stay below this range, it will be even better, especially if you start from an initial condition of obesity. The belly continues to grow inexorably, so it is better to stop wearing jeans, tight and tight, in favor of soft pants.
By the fourteenth week of pregnancy, not everyone may notice that you are pregnant, unless you are expecting twins, or have already had previous pregnancies: in all these cases, the belly is usually visible already at the end of the first trimester.
Even if you follow a correct and balanced diet, your body and that of your baby are in full evolution and may need the nutritional intake of some food supplements, in order to avoid any kind of deficiency. These supplements can vary at different times of your pregnancy. Thus, vitamin B9 is recommended before conception and during the first weeks of pregnancy.
From 3-4 months, however, it is preferable to take an iron supplement. The need for this trace element, in fact, increases starting from the 3rd month, being essential for red blood cells.
Your doctor may also prescribe other food supplements, such as vitamin D or iodine. Do not take these products without first consulting your gynecologist or midwife.
Have you already chosen the name for your baby? If you run out of ideas, get inspired by our list of names for all tastes!
The growth and development of the baby in the fourteenth week of pregnancy
The size of the baby at the fourteenth week of pregnancy is as follows: it is almost the size of a lemon, about 8.5 centimeters long, with a weight of 42.5 grams.
Internal organs that are developing in the fetus, such as the liver and kidneys, continue to produce bile and urine respectively. The same is true for the prostate in male fetuses, while in females the ovaries gradually begin to move within the pelvis. The trachea, esophagus, vocal cords and larynx are continuing to grow, as well as already being in the correct position.
The baby's brain is now sufficiently developed to send regular impulses by stimulating the facial muscles: the baby, in fact, can perform more complex expressions, squint his eyes, frown and make faces.
The connective tissue is slowly giving way to the bones, even though the "ossification" process is a long and complex procedure, which continues even after the baby is born and into adulthood.
Even if it is not really a bone, the baby is also developing the palate, parallel to the first sucking reflexes that help his muscle growth. Finally, the growth of the neck will help him lift his chin off his chest.
The eyes and ears are in their final positions and hair and hair growth is beginning as well. The baby's skin will now be covered with a thin layer of fluff (fluff) with the important function of keeping fetal body temperature constant.
The fourteenth week of pregnancy is also the one in which, along with tiny eyebrows, the hair begins to peek out of the baby's head. Both the color and the appearance of her hair will most likely change completely after birth.
Possible complications: urinary infections
Urinary infections are frequent during pregnancy (about 15% of pregnant women are affected) especially during the last trimester. A urinary infection appears when urine, normally sterile, is contaminated with a bacterium, which has introduced into the urethra (the canal that starts from the bladder). We then speak of cystitis. When the germs in the bladder go back to the kidneys, however, it is pyelonephritis.
What are the symptoms?
Very often, urinary infection shows no sign. This is why it is called 'asymptomatic'. You urinate very often, even just a few drops, you feel pain or burning when urinating and, in case of kidney infection, you experience lower back pain and fever. These symptoms should prompt you to see a doctor!
Treatment
A "urinary infection must be treated as quickly as possible, to prevent it from reaching the kidneys. Urinary infections could even increase the risk of miscarriage of premature births and premature rupture of membranes. A" urinalysis will allow you to do a diagnosis, and you will be prescribed antibiotic treatment, to begin even before the identification of the type of infection.
During routine pregnancy visits, your doctor (or midwife) identifies any urinary infection, especially if it is an asymptomatic infection, using the urinary strip. If in doubt, they will ask you to do a urine culture. This test allows to precisely identify the bacterium causing the infection and to choose the right antibiotics to eradicate it. To avoid complications, urinary infections are treated with antibiotics suitable for pregnant women.
Advice for the well-being of the mother
- Attention, rule number 1 is to drink a lot of water! Expectant mothers are advised to drink at least 2 liters of water a day and avoid foods that can irritate the bladder (coffee, overly spicy dishes).
- Avoid wearing synthetic or too tight clothes, which could favor the multiplication of bacteria. Go for cotton.
- Always try to clean yourself towards the back, so as not to bring germs into the urinary region.
- For the intimate toilet, use a mild soap.
- Always pee after sex: this will prevent bacteria from "rising" to the bladder.
- Finally, avoid whirlpools, they are a favorable environment for bacteria.
Useful information not to be forgotten
By the 14th week of pregnancy you may need:
- organize yourself for any tri-test that takes place between the 15th and 16th week
- reflect on who will be able to help you after childbirth (grandparents, nurse, daycare)
- prepare for a possible amniocentesis that can be done between the 15th and 19th week
- book the second compulsory antenatal visit
- blood analysis
- complete urine examination
