The 14th week of your pregnancy is the beginning of trimester two. The good news is, this trimester can be called the most comfortable one of the three trimesters in your journey to motherhood. Most of you are over with the feeling of nausea and exhaustion. So, now be prepared to enjoy the surge of energy your body feels in the next few weeks.
Your physical changes this week
It's natural to feel warmer than normal. Your heart is pumping more blood and your red blood cells are increasing fast! Your doctor must have prescribed iron supplements but also you need to intake from natural sources to support this increase in blood circulation. So, do eat a lot of iron rich food like green and leafy vegetables, red meat and cereals.
Notice a dark patch of pigmentation spreading across your cheeks and nose looking like a butterfly? It may be oestrogen (hormone) stimulated and happens specially if you have had oral contraceptive pills.
Some of you might be having a retroverted uterus, which is a condition when the uterus tilts backwards rather than tilting in front. This is the time when the retroverted uterus starts changing position and starts tilting back into its normal frontal position.
You may be feeling bloated and your stomach might seem sticking out more than other days. This is due to distention bowel. Don't worry! A visit to the toilet gives you relief and sets the tummy right.
Your baby's changes this week
- Baby's eye lids are fused over eyes.
- The neck becomes more prominent.
- Baby makes facial movements like squints and frowns!
- If you are pregnant with more than one baby, then it can be detected in ultrasound now.
Your baby's eyes are fully formed but too delicate and sensitive to be exposed. And hair may have started growing on his/her scalp.You might have seen in the ultrasound tests that your baby's head is rested on the chest. But now the baby's neck is more prominent and that little chin is jutting out! And now for the cute thing! Your baby has started frowning, squinting and making sweet tiny facial movements. And oh yes! The baby does make jumpy movements but you can hardly feel it until and unless you already have a child before this and are more alert.
Hints for the week
At this stage, you need to eat enough fruit and vegetables to fulfil the requirement of fibre for your body. Also, it's important to have sufficient water and fluids for assimilation of the fibre. It is advisable to start exercising from here on. Specially, the pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which will help in supporting the slowly increasing weight of the uterus, thereby it will help in avoiding problems later. Of course, do these exercises only under the guidance of an expert who knows about pregnancy specific exercises. Don't be alarmed if suddenly you feel like crying your heart out and within moments feel superbly happy. These are mood swings which usually take place. Though you are much more at ease with being pregnant and fears of a possible miscarriage have almost vanished.
Game for a holiday? good! The second trimester is the best time to go for a holiday while you still have the energy to enjoy it. So, don't think much; book that ticket and go!
This is no time to lose weight. Rather your hunger pangs will tell you more. So, keep healthy snacks at hand to munch on!
Your baby’s heart starts to beat only during second month of your pregnancy!