The good news is – you can have a temporary halt to nausea. You might begin to feel more energized in the 14th week of pregnancy. You may also notice frequent hunger cues. It would certainly feel great to be eating well and feeling fresh. But, at this point, you need to be more careful about the extra calories you may be gulping. Having said that, here is how does your body change during week 14 of pregnancy.
The placenta is now firmly fixed between your womb and the baby`s umbilical cord. This will be the main medium of nutrition for your baby in the coming weeks
How Does Your Body Change During Week 14 of Pregnancy?
By this week, your baby will be the size of a peach. The second trimester, known as the happiest phase, gives you much time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your pregnancy.
1. Hyperenergetic And End to Nausea And Vomiting
Most of the mothers-to-be find themselves bundled with energy in the 14th week. The primary reason is the setback of nausea and morning sickness. Your body will be less tired and keep you up all day. If you are feeling brisk, keep it up. It is time for you to enjoy this phase. While this might be a temporary setback, your third trimester could keep you more tired and heavy.
What to do?
When you feel more energized, sit back and feel happy about it. Because, in a few weeks, your third trimester will begin, and the whole fun starts again.
If you still feel tired of morning sickness, you can expect it to subside in the second trimester.
2. Leaky Breasts
You may notice yellow stains in your bra. This is colostrum—the first milk your body produces to enrich the baby before the breastmilk begins to flow. It is widespread to have leaky breasts this week.
What to do?
- You can wear a cotton breast pad to absorb the leak.
- If you are more worried, you can consult your doctor.
3. Increase Appetite
While nausea and morning sickness are set aside, hunger finds its way back into your life. You may feel hungrier more often. Remember, you are supporting one more life, and your body is changing rapidly every day with more blood pumping in, a growing uterus, and breasts. Every pregnant woman would require 300 calories more during the second trimester. If you are carrying twins, you need to consume 600 calories more.
You need to be very cautious about choosing your meal. A balanced diet would help you get extra energy without storing extra fat. Putting on weight during the coming week of pregnancy is unhealthy.
What to do?
When you feel much hungrier,
- Eat healthy food
- Munch on healthier snacks
- Avoid fried, oily, and spicy snacks and foods
- Try to maintain a balanced diet in your meals.
- You can also consult your doctor and plan your pregnancy meal.
4. Leg Cramps
You might have sudden leg cramps during the 14th week of pregnancy, especially at night. It is prevalent during pregnancy. Do not panic. Increased pressure on some nerves due to the growing uterus can cause leg cramps during pregnancy.
What to do?
Here are a few things you can do about leg cramps during pregnancy:
- Stretching helps a lot to get over the leg cramps.
- Stretch your ligaments at night before bed.
- Keep yourself well-hydrated.
- When you feel a sharp pain in your calves, massage the area and shower warmly.
- Eat nutrient-rich foods
5. Stuffy Nose
During the second trimester, progesterone increases the circulation of the mucous membranes to the nose. It may cause inflammation in the blood vessels, and you might end up having a stuffy nose. It is yet another pregnancy symptom known as pregnancy rhinitis and could be due to a cold or an allergy.
What to do?
Here are a few things that can help you deal with a stuffy nose during pregnancy:
- Keep yourself well-hydrated.
- Try using a humidifier to keep the air moist.
- Apply petroleum jelly around each nostril to make them less dry.
- You can also use saline drops. But it is always better to consult a doctor before using them.
6. Recurring Symptoms
You might even experience some other already-experienced symptoms, like:
- Bleeding gums
- Round ligament pain
7. Other Red Alarm Symptoms
Generally, abdominal cramping is a common symptom during pregnancy. But once you enter the second trimester, the frequency should reduce. If you have persistent abdominal cramping at frequent intervals, consult your doctor immediately to avoid other complications.
The second trimester helps you regain your energy and feel like you are back on track. You need to increase your calorie intake. Choose healthier options and maintain a balanced diet with your meals. Of course, you can have a cheat day and eat your favorite food. But keep in mind the symptoms that might have been following you since your previous trimester. There is so much to look forward to in the upcoming week. The 14th week helps with overhauling your body.
Happy Pregnancy!
Read also: How Does Your Body Change During Week 15 of Pregnancy?
