Second trimester
14 weeks pregnant
The second trimester begins. The fetus is around the size of a lemon, and this stretch is widely described as the most comfortable part of pregnancy.
Size of
peach
Length
87 mm
Weight
43 g
Your baby at 14 weeks
The fetus can squint, frown, and grimace, and facial muscles are getting a workout even though expressions are not yet meaningful.
Lanugo, a fine downy hair, begins to cover the body. It helps hold the waxy vernix in place and is usually shed before birth.
The liver, kidneys and spleen are all functioning. The fetus is producing thyroid hormone for the first time.
How you may be feeling
Most people feel considerably better now. Nausea has usually resolved, energy is better, and the pregnancy is becoming visible.
Appetite often increases markedly. Guidance generally suggests no additional calories are needed in the second trimester beyond a modest amount, but hunger can be substantial and is best answered with food that sustains.
Common symptoms around week 14
- Noticeably increased energy
- Growing appetite
- A rounding bump
- Occasional nasal congestion, which is common in pregnancy
- Mild swelling in the hands and feet
Appointments and tests around now
Appointments typically become less frequent in the second trimester for uncomplicated pregnancies, often monthly, until the third trimester brings them closer together again.
What is normal, and what varies
Nasal congestion without a cold is common in pregnancy and caused by increased blood flow to mucous membranes. Irritating but harmless.
Worth doing this week
Eat for sustenance, not volume
Appetite rises more than requirements do. Food that holds you — protein, fibre, slower carbohydrates — tends to work better than grazing.
Book the anomaly scan
It is typically offered between weeks 18 and 21, and slots get booked. Worth arranging now.
Consider dental care
Dental treatment is safe in pregnancy and gum problems are more likely now. Many systems offer free dental care during pregnancy.
Looking ahead
Next week the fetus begins to hear, and bone development accelerates.
Nearby weeks
Not sure which week you are in? The week tracker works it out from the first day of your last period, and the due date calculator gives you an estimated due date.