7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 682-9222 • Open Weekdays 8:00 - 5:00
PREGNANCY TIMELINE: WEEK 14
Week 14 -- This week your baby is continuing to grow and develop into his/her own distinct individual self. Teeny-tiny fingerprints are on the tips of your baby's fingertips. If you are having a girl - she now has approximately 2 million eggs in her ovaries. By the time she's born she'll only have 1 million. By the time she's 17 years old she'll only have about 200,000.
Overview
Baby is now producing urine and actually urinating into the amniotic fluid. Baby also practices "breathing" the amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs. Amniotic fluid is an amazing substance that regenerates itself every three hours. Amniotic fluid is partially composed of urine from the baby, but where the fluid is made is uncertain.
Are you starting to feel butterflies fluttering in your stomach? Those butterflies might actually be faint fetal movements called quickening. Quickening may occur as early as week 14 in some women, becoming stronger with each passing week. It won't be long before those delicate butterfly wings evolve into frolicking arms and legs that kick, poke and rock n' roll - especially when you lie down to rest.
By the beginning of the 4th month you should be "showing" your pregnancy. Your uterus is now the size of a grapefruit. As the abdomen distends, the skin has to stretch with it. In addition, hormonal changes in your body are becoming apparent. Many are in the form of skin changes. You may have developed a dark line down the middle of your abdomen to your pubic bone called a linea negra. The areola (dark nipple portion of your breast) may have darkened and gotten larger as well. These changes are temporary and will disappear after delivery. The little pink lines that may appear horizontally on your abdomen may fade with time. Wear those stretch marks with pride - it's a sign of motherhood!
Baby's Physical Development
- Baby weighs almost 1 ounce and is 3.2 to 4.1 inches long.
- The musculoskeletal system has matured.
- The eyes have moved closer together to the front of the face.
- The neck continues to get longer, the chin no longer rests on the chest.
- External genitalia s are more developed.
Time to Start Thinking About...
Since you've become pregnant your significant other may begin to feel a little insignificant. With all the attention given to you and your developing baby, it's not hard to understand why some men get jealous. New maternity clothes, baby toys and equipment, and conversations with friends or family often center around the pregnancy, making him feel left out. Now is the time to let dad know how important his role is during pregnancy. Your hubby can be a big support, so involve him in the excitement miracle that is happening. Invite him to your prenatal exams. Or better yet, why not have a baby shower for dad. Even dad needs to be prepared for the birth of his child.
Tips for Mom
As a rule, pregnant women should avoid exposure to x-rays, CT scans, and MRI's. No amount of radiation is safe for a developing baby. If you require any of these tests, be sure to alert medical personnel that you are pregnant before the tests are administered. As always, discuss the risks with your doctor.
By now you are definitely looking and feeling pregnant. While some women try to get around a while by not buttoning or zipping their pants all the way to avoid wearing maternity clothes you might decide the time has come to pick up some maternity clothes. There's no denying your going to get bigger, so you might as well be as comfortable as possible. Remember to stick to styles you normally wear - choose basics and accessorize. A light cotton dress makes an easy and flattering maternity outfit.
Do you have an increased risk of chromosomal or genetic birth defects? If so you might want to consider having an amniocentesis or an AFP test. Both tests are performed on pregnant women in their second trimester to diagnose or rule out birth defects. Discuss these tests with your physician to determine if you should undertake either test.
Did you know that up to 40% of cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) could be avoided if all pregnant women quit smoking during pregnancy? SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between the ages of 1 month and 1 year. Risk factors include low birth weight, putting an infant to sleep on his/her stomach, and overheating while sleeping. Learn all you can about SIDS to keep your little bundle of joy safe from this unfortunate syndrome.
Tips For Dad
Hey dad, why not take mom out on a special night to celebrate the second trimester milestone? Enjoying a nice healthy meal at her favorite restaurant is the perfect place to voice your hopes, dreams and fears concerning the coming addition to your family unit. Or better yet why not invite your closest friends and relatives over prepare a scrumptious feast in her honor?
Prenatal Care Checklist
- Lying on your left side with a firm pillow under your head will usually be the most comfortable position for sleeping. This position brings more oxygen to the baby and eases the load on your kidneys.
- Try a body pillow.
- Bath water should not exceed 100 degrees F. Saunas and hot tubs are off limits.
- Do not douche or use tampons. Take a warm bath or use pads instead.
- You should not be changing the kitty litter because harmful parasites may be present.
- Travel is okay as long as you don't travel far from home during the last month of pregnancy. Check with your doctor first if a travel emergency arises.
- Seatbelts will not harm your fetus.
- Use both shoulder and lap belts and make sure to place the lap belt under your belly, across the hips and thighs.
- Avoid contact with any harmful chemicals or fumes.
7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505