You are 14 weeks pregnant, congratulations!
During this time, your baby is about 3 1/2 inches long from head to toes. He is about the size of a lemon and is about 1 1/2 ounces in weight. Your baby can do many new things this week. He can squint, frown, grimace, pee, and suck his thumb. There will also be a lot of developments in your baby’s physical structure that are expected to occur at 14 weeks. His kidneys will now be producing urine which he releases in his amniotic sac, his liver starts to produce bile and his spleen will assist in the production of red blood cells. This is also the same time that his arms and feet are more likely active and flexible.
As you get to 14 weeks of pregnancy, this is the initial stages of your second trimester. By this time, you should feel your energy returning. Most nauseous feeling will slowly start to fade away and morning sickness should come to an end. As for your breast, it may feel less tender and your baby bump can now be seen. This is a very exciting time for you and your partner.
In a poll made by BabyCenter, 64% of mothers-to-be said they wanted to know the sex of their baby. Many others also want to keep it a secret until their baby is born. So, what are the benefits of either of the two decisions?
The advantages of finding out your baby’s gender are great! One is, many women feel that they develop a deeper bond with their baby once they know the sex. Being able to picture your child in this early stage of pregnancy is awesome. Mothers also believe that this is a good way to prepare an older sibling for the coming of his/her little brother or sister. Narrowing down the lists of your baby names and being able to pick a gender-specific nursery theme or baby clothes could also be the advantages of knowing your baby’s sex.
On the other hand, if you are someone who wants to be different than the norm, then waiting to find out your baby’s gender until the day s/he is born might suit you. Expect an amazing surprise by the time your baby comes out! Being unable to know your baby’s gender can motivate you during the hardest parts of labor. If you ever decide to go this way and wait to know, consider keeping the price tags on baby clothes. Ultrasounds can also be fallible at determine finding out your baby’s sex.
If by this point in time, you still have not yet dedicated yourself to a regular workout, then now is the perfect time to start. You can build up a community of support from fellow mothers-to-be if you participate in prenatal classes. You can join in prenatal yoga or Pilates classes, a walking group or a dance class designed for pregnant women. If the sound of excercise overwhelms you then you may want to consider simply walking. The greatest benefit of sticking out to an exercise regime is that it helps you manage you breathing while you are in labor and it will also make your delivery less strenuous for you and your baby. Always consult your doctor before starting an exercise regime while pregnant.
This should be an enjoyable time for you. You are making many decisions and may feel that there isn’t enough time for everything. Remember to relax, get as much sleep as you feel you need and try to enjoy each day of your pregnancy. Before you know it your little bundle of joy will be here!
Featured photo credit: untitled via albumarium.com
