Week 14

My Baby's Development

By this week, some fine hairs (lanugo) have developed on your baby’s face. It is soft colorless hair, eventually covers most of your baby’s body until it is shed just before delivery.

Your baby’s genitals have fully developed by now. But they may still be difficult to detect on an ultrasound examination. Once the thyroid gland has matured, your baby starts to produce thyroid hormones. Your baby is about 3.5 inches (9cm) long from crown to rump and weighs about 1.6 ounces (45g).

My Body

Under few circumstances (for example, if you're older than 35), your health care provider may request a test of amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is a test that usually done in week 15 to 18. It can detect abnormalities in a fetus (such as Down syndrome). During the test, a very thin needle is inserted into the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the uterus. A sample of the fluid will be taken and analyzed. Amniocentesis does carry a very slight risk of miscarriage. So, consult your health care provider about your concerns, the risks and advantages of the test.

Week 13

My Baby's Development

As you begin the second trimester of pregnancy, your placenta has developed and it starts to provide your baby with oxygen and nutrients, and dispose wastes. It also produces the hormones progesterone and estrogen, which help to maintain the pregnancy.

By now, the baby's eyelids have fused together to protect the eyes. Your baby may be able to put a thumb in his or her mouth by this week. But the sucking muscles may be not yet completely developed.

My Body

At your first prenatal appointment, your health care provider probably has given you a prescription for prenatal vitamins. Taking these supplements, in addition to eating a healthy diet, ensures your baby gets additional vitamins and minerals (such as folic acid, zinc, iron, and calcium) which are necessary for its growth and development. Consult your pharmacist about the best way to take your vitamins (such as whether they should be taken with food or beverages).

Week 12

My Baby's Development

Your baby's brain continues to develop. Its tiny fingernails and toenails start to form. Its vocal cords are formed by this week. This is the last of your first trimester.

Your baby's kidneys are functioning! After swallowing amniotic fluid, your baby will now be able to pass it out of its body as urine. The intestines will make their way into the abdomen, since there is room for them now.

My Body

Has anyone told you that you have a "pregnant glow"? It's not just the joy you may feel because you're having a baby. There's a physiological reason for smoother, more radiant skin during pregnancy. Increased blood volume and pregnancy hormones work together to give you that pregnant glow. The greater is the blood volume, it brings more blood to the blood vessels and hormones increase oil gland secretion, resulting in a flushed, plumper, smoother skin appearance. Sometimes, the increased oil gland secretion can cause temporary acne.

Week 11

My Baby's Development

From week 11 to 20, your baby will be growing rapidly, increasing in size from about 2 inches (5cm) to about 8 inches (20cm) from crown to rump. To accommodate all this growth, the blood vessels in the placenta are increasing in both size and volume to provide the baby with more nutrients.

Facial development continues as the ears are moving toward their final position on the sides of the head. If you saw a picture of your baby now, you'd think you had a genius on your hands. Your baby's head is about half of the body length!

Although your baby's reproductive organs are developing rapidly, the external genitals of boys and girls appear somewhat similar until the end of this week. It will be clearly differentiated by week 14.

My Body

Nourishing your baby usually requires that you gain weight. In most cases, the recommended weight gain is about 25 to 35 pounds (11.3 to 15.9kg) over your pregnancy. If you were overweight or underweight during your pregnancy, your health care provider may have different recommendations for your weight control.