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Week 14

Welcome to Week 14!
Your baby now is approximately 4 inches and weighs about 25grams. If you close your hand into a fist, that is about the size of your baby.

Your babies ears and eyes are moving to the proper places on its face. The neck is now more upright and and is growing longer.

If this is your second or subsequent pregnancy, you may have started showing much early this time than your first. You are probably not able to wear your regular clothes now and maternity clothes are becoming more of your daily wardrobe. Many women wonder why they show sooner. The answer is simple. Your body will never be the same after pregnancy. Your muscles and skin, as well as uterus, are used to expanding and know what to do and so may seem to grow faster and react to changes faster.

Tips for Mom
If you haven't yet bought any, start thinking about getting yourself some maternity clothes. There are so many incredible styles and fashions now and maternity clothes aren't what they were 10 years ago. You can now be very stylish while your body is changing.

You may start hearing your doctor through around the term "amniocentesis". An amnicentesis (or amnio for short) is a test that is often performed during pregnancy and is used most frequently on women over age 35. So, what is an amnio? It is a test that is used to check for Down's Syndrome or other chromosonal problems, skeletal diseases, fetal infections such as herpes, diseases of the central nervous system and blood diseases. It is performed by numbing the area on the abdomen where the test will be performed. A long needle is pushed through the abdomen and into the uterus. Amniotic fluid (about 1oz) is removed and then tested. While it is a routine procedure in many cases, it is still a dangerous one (between 1 and 3% of amnios have complications) and needs to be weighed appropriately. Damage to the baby or placenta can occur in rare occassions. Premature labor, miscarraige or damage to the umbilical cord can also occur. Talk the issue over with your doctor and measure the pros and cons before making a decision.

Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep and plenty of fluids. You may start noticing an increase in your energy level now, but you still need to take it easy. If you haven't begun an exercise routine, now is the time. Make sure to talk with your doctor before you do, but walking is always great exercise and will keep you feeling fit and healthy. There are also several great pregnancy videos available and yoga is another great option for a pregnant woman.