14 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms and top tips

Your baby has grown by about a centimetre in the past week, so now measures 8.5 cm from head to bottom. Wow!

Don't look now, but your baby is getting hairy! A fine down called lanugo is beginning to grow all over your baby's body. Don't worry, though - it usually disappears before birth (and any remaining bits will fall off before too long).

Around now, your baby will be starting to practice facial expressions like frowning and squinting.

Your baby will also be taking in little bits of amniotic fluid and processing them through those tiny kidneys before releasing them as urine (back into the amniotic fluid – Bear Grylls style! Best not to think about it too much.)

Those little fingers can grasp now, and there may even be a bit of thumb-sucking going on. Cute!

With morning sickness and fatigue behind you, you can start to really enjoy your pregnancy. Aside from a few aches and pains, this should be the relatively easyportion of your pregnancy. But if you are still feeling tired, that’s not unusual. You are still growing another human, after all.

Listen to your body and rest when you need to. Dedicate some time to self-care, and enjoy pampering yourself with long (not-too-hot) baths, creamy moisturiser, or whatever makes you feel looked after.

Most people will have had a dating scan before 14 weeks, but the sonographer probably won’t have been able to tell the sex of the baby. If you can’t wait for the 20-week scan to find out the sex, or if you just want to see the baby again, you can book a private ultrasound scan.

Before you get your hopes up, though, remember it’s still early days and little legs can get in the way, so you might come away none the wiser! Of course, you could pay for a NIPT test – a screening test that can also confirm the baby’s sex. Costs and availability vary, so check with your local NHS trust.

Your incredible body is already preparing to feed your baby, and you might notice some creamy-coloured or yellowish stains inside your bra – this is colostrum, the magic milk that makes up baby’s first feeds.

If you feel like you’re piling on the pounds, don’t panic. It is normal to gain some weight during pregnancy, and to change shape as your breasts grow and your waist thickens.

You will probably have your next midwife appointment in the next two weeks, so start thinking if there’s anything you’d like to ask. We have some guidance on questions to ask your midwife, which might help.

Antenatal classes

Though it’s too early to start antenatal classes, it’s not too early to get on the list! Depending on the availability in your area, classes can get booked up early, so make sure you contact a provider asap. NCT is a very popular, nationwide provider of antenatal classes, but there are other options, so check online, seek recommendations from friends and local Facebook groups, and shop around before you decide.

Antenatal classes are generally designed to help you prepare for childbirth, by talking you through birthing options, how your labour might progress, and what happens immediately after. Some providers also offer specialist breastfeeding support and follow-up classes like baby massage for once the baby is here.

Dental appointments

Pregnancy can take its toll on your teeth and gums. On the plus side, dental treatment is free throughout pregnancy and for a year after the birth, so make the most and book a dentist appointment! If you are suffering with sore and/or bleeding gums, try swapping to a softer toothbrush.

What should I be feeling at 14 weeks pregnant?

Hopefully at 14 weeks pregnant you’ll be feeling more energised and less tired than you were in the first trimester. But if you’re still feeling lethargic, that’s not unusual. If you feel like you’re more tired than you should be, talk to your midwife. They may want to arrange a blood test to check your iron levels.

Emotionally, you could be feeling multiple things at any given moment in the day. Excited. Anxious. Sad. Happy. All of the above! That’s also normal.

Not only are your hormones still playing havoc with your emotions, but you are facing one of the most life-changing things that will ever happen to you. Keep talking. Keep a journal if it helps. Some people like to arm themselves with information and stories so that they feel they know what to expect, whereas others prefer to forge their own path. Whatever works for you is absolutely fine.

Where is baby located at 14 weeks pregnant?

Your uterus is still fairly low down, but gradually ‘peeking’ above your pelvis. You might find your bump is growing at exactly the place where your jeans do up – in which case, you might be more comfortable switching to maternity jeans.

How many months is 14 weeks pregnant?

14 weeks pregnant is just over 3 months pregnant. You’ll reach 4 months pregnant at about 17 weeks.

Can you feel baby move at 14 weeks?

Your baby is moving around a lot, with funny jerky movements that you would be able to see on an ultrasound scan. However, most people don’t feel any movement from their baby until around 17 or 18 weeks pregnant, so if you haven’t felt the baby move yet, that’s perfectly normal. They’re very busy in there, but they’re also still very small!

Don’t worry, you’ll only have to wait a few more weeks before you feel those first tiny flutters of movement.

How much weight should I have gained at 14 weeks pregnant?

Your weight gain will depend on many factors, including how much you weighed before pregnancy, your health, whether you’re carrying multiples, etc. However, we have got a weight chart to help people work out their ‘ideal’ weight gain based on their pre-pregnancy BMI. You can use this to work out your expected weight gain during pregnancy.

Though maintaining a healthy weight is very important, please don’t worry too much about putting on weight during pregnancy. It is normal to gain weight. If you are sticking to a healthy diet and not over-eating, you’re doing everything you need to do to optimise your health and the health of your baby.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.