Welcome to the second trimester! You’ve finished the first leg of pregnancy and are starting to settle into your role as mom-to-be. And fortunately, you’re likely feeling better than the exhausted, nauseated woman you were a month ago. Let’s see what’s happening inside your body in week 14 of pregnancy.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
By week fourteen pregnancy, twelve weeks from conception, your baby is roughly the size of a lemon. He or she is about 3 1/2 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs around 1 ounce. Baby continues to do new things (1, 2):
Unless you’re choosing loose fitting clothes to camouflage it, your bump is likely becoming evident to those around you. This is an exciting development, as the world begins to see you as a mother-to-be! You may find it fun to shop for maternity clothes and dress your bump. If you’re on a budget, remember that there are many ways to shop without spending a ton. Consignment sales, second-hand stores, and hand-me-downs from friends can be great, inexpensive options.
Maybe you haven’t yet told those around you that you’re expecting but would like to do so before your baby bump gives you away? If so, check out our week 13 post where we offer some tips about telling the world your happy news!
You may be having pain on the sides of your belly, near your hips. These pains may feel sudden and intense, like a sharp “grabbing” pain, especially when you do things like cough or sneeze.
The culprit is the pulling and stretching of the round ligaments — bands of tissue that support the uterus on both sides and hold it in place (3). As your uterus grows and these round ligaments stretch, they can cause discomfort. Fortunately, while round ligament pain is uncomfortable, it’s not dangerous. Try putting a heating pad on your abdomen to relieve the pain.
Most women feel their best during the second trimester. Your energy levels are likely rebounded from the exhaustion of the first trimester, and morning sickness will typically subside soon, if it hasn’t already. Still, your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy, and there will continue to be new symptoms along the way.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections of the bladder, kidney, or urethra. They’re common in pregnancy, in part because the weight of the growing uterus can press down on the bladder and prevent it from completely draining urine when you pee. A UTI can be detected in the doctor’s office by a simple urine test and is easily treatable with an oral medication that is safe in pregnancy. But if left untreated, it can spread up to the kidneys lead to other complications.
Know the signs of an infection and alert your healthcare provider if you have any of them. Signs of a UTI include (3):
During pregnancy, it is normal to experience an increase in vaginal discharge. However, it can be a sign of an infection like bacterial vaginosis if you have discharge that:
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection that’s caused by an imbalance and overgrowth of the bacteria that grow in the vagina. Women are more prone to it during pregnancy, possibly due to hormone changes. (Note that bacteria is normal and beneficial for keeping your birth canal healthy. However, bacterial vaginosis occurs when the balance of the bacteria is upset.) A simple course of antibiotics is all that’s needed to treat this pesky infection (3).
Some pregnant women have vivid or intense dreams. There are a variety of theories about this phenomenon, and there’s in interesting article that explains some of those theories on the American Pregnancy Association‘s website. Having dreams that are frightening or more vivid than you’re used to may be unsettling. But rest assured that it’s a common happening in pregnancy and won’t last permanently. (We discuss vivid pregnancy dreams in pregnancy week 26.)
Kopa Birth’s online childbirth classes allow you to prepare for a natural childbirth from the comfort of your own home, 24/7. Enroll today in our free online childbirth class to learn more about preparing for a natural hospital birth.
Join us next week to talk about week 15! And if you’d like to look ahead at all of the exciting things that come with the second trimester, check out Second Trimester Pregnancy & Symptoms: The Ultimate Guide.
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Welcome to the second trimester! You’ve finished the first leg of pregnancy and are starting to settle into your role as mom-to-be. And fortunately, you’re likely feeling better than the
