Welcome to week fourteen!
If seen on ultrasound during this week of the pregnancy, your baby may very well be sucking his/her thumb.
He/she is a real mover now! This is a good time to partner with other pregnant women to talk about the changes your body is going through and how you are feeling. It is also a good time to start reading about safety information on strollers and car seats as well as other baby products and continuing to think about how you want to feed your baby. Whether you breast or bottle feed, there is much to learn about.
This is a good time to partner with other pregnant women to talk about the changes your body is going through and how you are feeling.
How my Baby Grows
- Your baby can move facial muscles now and do things like squint, frown and pucker
- His/her neck is more defined
- He/she is becoming more and more active each week
- Your baby can now form immature red blood cells in his/her own spleen, the tiny liver is making bile and even the thyroid gland is beginning to produce hormones
- His/her intestines are working and will eventually produce the first bowel movement called meconium
- He/she is about 3.5 inches now which is approximately the size of a lemon
Symptoms Mama may Feel or Experience
- Your favorite jeans may be pretty snug now, and you are probably adjusting them to fit around your bump as you pull them up, maybe you have learned the rubber band trick and given yourself a bit more room to work with
- Your body is not just feeling different but changing
- Clothes don’t fit the same on the top or bottom any more
- You are winded easier while walking up stairs and sometimes you experience shortness of breath unexpectedly due to the increase in circulating blood volume, smooth muscle relaxation and other physiological changes that are happening to support the pregnancy and birth
- Your emotions and moods continue to surprise you too
- You might cry at a movie or when reading a sentimental card
- You might even have anxiety over events that usually don’t bother you
- If this is happening more than occasionally, you are crying a lot, and not interested in normal activities, family or friends, you might be struggling with depression, if this is the case it is a good idea to talk with your doctor or midwife about this
- Don’t forget the journal that you may have started earlier in the pregnancy, even if you haven’t written in it in a few weeks, it is ok to pick it back up
- This is a great place to share your feelings
- It is also a nice spot to jot down certain baby products that you see advertised or hear about from other new or expecting moms
Thoughts to Consider
- If you find out that you are having a boy, how do you feel about circumcision?
- This should be an informed decision that you discuss with the baby’s father and your pediatrician
- You will be asked when you go to the hospital about your decision
- The US is the only country in which babies are routinely circumcised
- You will consider and then decide based on cosmetic, medical or personal reasons
- How do you feel about immunizations and when your baby receives them?
- Immunizations are an important part of keeping your baby healthy and safe but when they are best administered varies
- What does the evidence say?
- How does your pediatrician feel about this decision?
Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
- Your body’s immune system is challenged to protect both you and your baby during pregnancy and there are a number of infections that are especially harmful so basic precautions like those listed below can be very helpful
- One of the simplest things that you can do to protect yourself and your baby is to perform handwashing often with soap and hot water, especially after you go to the bathroom or are in the kitchen preparing foods
- Practicing safe sex by using condoms will protect you against most sexually transmitted infections
- Stay clear of undercooked meats, deli meats or hot dogs unless they are heated till steamy hot
- Have someone else change the litter box if you have cats to avoid and infection called toxoplasmosis
- If you are going to be in very public places during times of infectious outbreaks, consider social distancing and wearing a mask
- During your prenatal visits you will be offered certain immunizations that are considered safe to receive during your pregnancy to protect you and your baby from dangerous illnesses
- The CDC and all women’s health organizations are recommending the COVID vaccine for pregnant women
- A T-dap booster is also recommended between the gestational weeks of 27-36 so that your baby will receive partial immunity, this is true even if you have recently had this vaccine, and it is recommended with each pregnancy
- The flu vaccine is also recommended during pregnancy at certain times of the calendar year
