At 14 weeks pregnant — the start of the second trimester — your baby is approximately 3½ inches long, the size of a lemon, and has just developed its own unique fingerprints. The baby can now grimace, squint, frown, and make tiny kicks and punches, while its spleen begins producing red blood cells and its arms reach proportional length. For the mother, relaxin hormone peaks this week to ease joint and muscle pain, energy levels typically return, and nausea becomes more manageable, though immune suppression increases susceptibility to colds and flu. Flaxseed is highlighted as a beneficial addition to prenatal nutrition, as it is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and protein that supports fetal brain development and may help manage blood pressure and constipation during pregnancy.
- At week 14, a baby measures approximately 3½ inches long — roughly the size of a regular lemon.
- By week 14, a baby develops its own unique fingerprints for the first time.
- At week 14, the baby's spleen begins helping in the production of red blood cells.
- During week 14, the production level of the relaxin hormone is at its peak, helping to manage muscle and joint pain.
- Flaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid, which plays a role in reducing inflammation and treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Flaxseed's omega-3 fatty acid content is associated with helping prevent certain cancers, including colon, pancreatic, prostate, and breast cancer.
- Week 14 marks the start of the second trimester, a point at which nausea typically becomes more manageable and energy levels begin to return.
Pregnancy Diary Week 14
Discover your pregnancy journey
Pregnancy Diary Week 14
In the early stages of the second trimester, your baby continues to do amazing things inside you! Milestones of this week include baby getting her very own fingerprints! Learn what to expect plus discover why flax seed is beneficial during pregnancy.
Discover
How your baby is growing
What you can expect at this time
A beneficial food for your pregnancy nutrition
Pregnancy Diary Week 14: How Is Your Baby Growing?
Week 14 is such an amazing week for you and your baby. It is another milestone for your baby as it develops into a more human form. The eyes are moving closer to each other and ears are almost on its final forms. Hairs are developing on his eyebrows, scalp and other parts of the body.
Aside from his ability to suck his thumb, your baby is now capable of grimacing, squinting and even frowning! Imagine the faces being pulled inside you. He can now make tiny kicks and punches though you may not still be able to feel it. This week, you baby now has fingerprints.
Your baby is about the size of a regular size lemon and is almost 3 ½ inches long. As the week ends, the arms have grown into a length which is proportion to the baby’s body. However, his legs need to a little more length. His spleen is now helping in the production of red blood cells.
What you can expect
Congratulations! Now that you are in your second trimester, your pregnancy is getting more evident. You can now see that little bump on your abdomen. You had surely been through a lot for the past 13 weeks and by now, you should have adjusted with the changes that are taking place in and outside of your body.
Your energy level should have come back and nausea should have become more manageable. In some cases, a higher energy level is often accompanied by an increased desire to have sex.
During this week, the production level of relaxin hormone should be at its peak. As the name implies, relaxin is a special hormone which helps you deal with muscle and joints pain and aches.
Pregnancy aches on the lower portion of your abdomen. It is actually caused by the stretching ligaments and muscles that support the baby. You should take note that during this week, you are more susceptible to colds and flu due to the suppression of the immune system, a mechanism which is beneficial to the growing foetus.
Flaxseed For Pregnancy Nutrition
More than its profound effects for your body, observing a healthy and balanced diet are also beneficial for your baby. A healthy diet is not just composed of fruits and vegetables. Whole grains are scientifically proven to be effective at providing an adequate amount of nutrients. Flaxseed is one of the safest foods to eat by pregnant women however, it is always best to ask your doctor regarding the appropriate amount to take.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids which are an ideal component of a prenatal diet. It also contains other nutrients which include vitamins, fatty acids, fibres and proteins. Its omega-3 fatty acid content is beneficial in preventing certain types of cancer including colon, pancreatic, prostate and breast cancer.
Flaxseed is a good source of fats which are considered as precursors for brain building and development. This type of fat is very essential during the brain development period of the foetus in the uterus until infancy. Flaxseed is also beneficial in reducing swelling and in driving the blood pressure to an optimum level. It also helps in dealing with constipation during pregnancy. In fact, it plays a vital role in regulating bowel movements during this crucial period.
Furthermore, flaxseed is said to contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid which plays a vital role in reducing inflammation and in treating inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Flaxseed is also used to treat a wide range of conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, diabetes, dry eyes, benign prostatic hyperplasia, osteoarthritis, anxiety and heart diseases.
As commonly known, women with high blood pressure and heart diseases are facing a greater risk for their pregnancy. Flaxseed can be of great help in reducing the level of blood pressure which is beneficial in maintaining the health of both the mother and the baby.
Through the years, researchers have found a wide range of uses for flaxseed oil. In fact, it is used as a treatment for a variety of health illnesses which include arthritis, constipation, heart disease, depression, cancer and Crohn’s disease.
Pregnancy Diary Week 14
Select a Week of the Pregnancy Diary to start viewing information specific to each week
DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
What size is a baby at 14 weeks pregnant?
At week 14, a baby is approximately 3½ inches long and about the size of a regular lemon. By the end of the week, the arms have grown to a length proportionate to the baby's body, though the legs still need to grow a little more.
What milestones does a baby reach at 14 weeks?
At 14 weeks, a baby develops fingerprints for the first time and becomes capable of grimacing, squinting, frowning, and sucking its thumb. The eyes are moving closer together, ears are nearly in their final position, and hair is developing on the eyebrows, scalp, and other parts of the body.
What is the relaxin hormone and what does it do during pregnancy?
Relaxin is a hormone that helps pregnant women manage muscle and joint pain and aches. Its production is reported to be at its peak during week 14 of pregnancy.
Why are pregnant women more susceptible to colds and flu in the second trimester?
During week 14, the immune system is suppressed as a mechanism to protect the growing foetus, which makes the mother more susceptible to colds and flu.
What are the benefits of flaxseed during pregnancy?
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, fatty acids, fibres, and proteins, making it a beneficial addition to a prenatal diet. It supports foetal brain development, helps reduce swelling, supports healthy blood pressure, and aids in relieving constipation during pregnancy.
What conditions can flaxseed oil help treat?
Flaxseed oil has been used as a treatment for arthritis, constipation, heart disease, depression, cancer, and Crohn's disease. Flaxseed itself is also used to address conditions including ADHD, atherosclerosis, diabetes, dry eyes, osteoarthritis, anxiety, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
How does flaxseed support brain development in pregnancy?
Flaxseed is a good source of fats that act as precursors for brain building and development. These fats are considered essential during the brain development period of the foetus in the uterus and continue to be important through infancy.
What symptoms improve when entering the second trimester at week 14?
By week 14, energy levels should have returned and nausea should have become more manageable. In some cases, the increase in energy is also accompanied by an increased desire to have sex.