Baby is the size of a lemon
👶 Baby's development
The baby can make faces — frowning and squinting. Hearing develops. Actively sucks its thumb.
💛 How mom feels
Second trimester begins — the most comfortable period! Nausea fades, cute bump, normal weight gain.
📖 Tip of the week
The baby can now frown, squint, and suck their thumb. An experienced sonographer may be able to suggest the sex on ultrasound. Start thinking about physical activity — prenatal yoga and swimming are excellent choices at this stage.
🔬 Detailed baby development
- The second trimester officially begins — a period of rapid growth and development
- The fetus can make facial expressions such as squinting, frowning, and grimacing
- Lanugo (fine, downy hair) begins to cover the body to help regulate temperature
- The liver begins producing bile and the spleen starts producing red blood cells
- The thyroid gland matures and begins producing hormones
- The fetus is about 8.7 cm long and weighs approximately 43 grams, roughly the size of a lemon
🤱 What mom may feel
- Increased energy and improved mood as the 'golden trimester' begins
- Appetite increases — you may experience specific food cravings
- Nasal congestion and stuffiness (pregnancy rhinitis) may persist
- Slight weight gain becomes noticeable (1-2 kg total gain so far is typical)
- Reduced urinary frequency temporarily as the uterus rises above the pelvic brim
🏥 Tests and check-ups
Your provider may discuss scheduling the quad screen (second-trimester screening) performed between weeks 15-20. This blood test measures AFP, hCG, estriol, and inhibin A to assess the risk of Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and neural tube defects. If you had first-trimester screening, an integrated approach combining both results offers the best detection rate.
💡 Tips for this week
- Increase caloric intake by about 300-340 extra calories per day to support fetal growth
- Start doing gentle core-strengthening exercises (pelvic tilts, modified planks) to prepare for the growing belly
- Continue prenatal vitamins — iron and calcium are especially important now
- Plan a prenatal dental visit if you haven't already
- Consider starting a pregnancy photo series to document your changing body
❓ Frequently asked questions
How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?
ACOG guidelines recommend 11.5-16 kg (25-35 lbs) total gain for women with a normal pre-pregnancy BMI. Underweight women should gain more (12.5-18 kg), and overweight women less (7-11.5 kg). Your provider will track your weight at each visit.
Are food cravings meaningful?
While some cravings may reflect nutritional needs, most are driven by hormonal changes. It is fine to indulge in moderation. However, cravings for non-food items (ice, dirt, chalk) are called pica and should be reported to your provider as they may indicate iron deficiency.
Why do I feel so much better now?
The placenta has fully taken over hormone production, and hCG levels have dropped from their first-trimester peak. This hormonal shift typically reduces nausea, fatigue, and emotional volatility.
Should I be worried about the quad screen?
The quad screen is a screening test, not a diagnosis. Abnormal results only indicate increased risk and lead to further testing (such as detailed ultrasound or amniocentesis). The majority of women with abnormal screening results have healthy babies.
📝 Week 14 of pregnancy: what's happening
At week 14, your baby is approximately 8.7 cm long and weighs around 43 g — roughly the size of a lemon. This week marks a significant milestone as your baby’s facial muscles are developing, allowing them to make expressions such as squinting and grimacing. The liver is now producing bile, the spleen is helping produce red blood cells, and the kidneys are producing urine which is released into the amniotic fluid. Your baby’s neck is becoming more defined, and the head is now more upright rather than resting on the chest.
Welcome to the second trimester — many women find this the most comfortable and enjoyable stage of pregnancy. The intense nausea and fatigue of the first trimester typically begin to ease, and you may find your energy returning. Your uterus is now just above your pubic bone and may be visible as a small bump. Some women experience round ligament pain — a sharp or dull ache on one or both sides of the lower abdomen as the ligaments supporting your growing uterus stretch.
Your booking appointment and first trimester screening should now be complete. If you haven’t already had your combined screening test (nuchal translucency scan plus blood test), speak to your midwife promptly as it is ideally performed between weeks 11 and 14. Your next major appointment will be the anomaly scan (also called the 20-week scan), typically offered between weeks 18 and 21. Keep up with your regular midwife appointments and ensure your maternity notes are always with you.
Continue taking folic acid 400 mcg daily through week 12 if you haven’t already completed the course, and ensure you are taking vitamin D 10 mcg daily throughout pregnancy. A balanced diet rich in iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids supports your baby’s rapid development. Stay well hydrated — aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day — and try to include gentle exercise such as walking or swimming. If you haven’t yet registered with your local NHS maternity team, do so as soon as possible to access all your entitled antenatal care.
⚠️ When to see a doctor
- Vaginal bleeding of any amount
- Severe headache or vision changes
- Severe abdominal or lower back pain
- Swelling of face and hands (possible preeclampsia)
- Decreased or absent fetal movement after 20 weeks
- Blood pressure above 140/90
Sources
- WHO recommendations on antenatal care (2016)
- ACOG Practice Bulletins
- Williams Obstetrics, 26th Edition
📝 Create Your Birth Plan
Free AI-powered birth plan generator. Answer a few questions — get a personalized PDF birth plan in 2 minutes.
Create Birth Plan →🤰 Pregnancy tracker
Enter your last period date — find out your week, count kicks, keep a diary
Open tracker →