Your Pregnancy Week by Week: 14 Weeks

The following information -- and much more -- can also be found in the free weekly email Lamaze Pregnancy Week by Week. Sign up now to receive helpful information for your stage of pregnancy. Subscribers will be given the opportunity to complete a Lamaze Parent Satisfaction Survey after their pregnancy and receive a Lamaze Toys coupon. We want to hear about your birth experience and the impact that childbirth education may have had so that we can continue to make sure parents have the information they need for the safest, healthiest birth possible.

You're in week 14 of your pregnancy!

We all need and value our friends. They share our thoughts, our concerns and our challenges. They provide support in times of need. And, they can be just plain fun to be around. Feel supported in your decisions by connecting with other moms-to-be who share your birth vision. You will learn and grow with these other mothers through your shared experiences. Draw additional support from a birth team that you trust. Be sure to surround yourself with people that you can count on before, during and after the birth.

What's New with Baby

Believe it or not, your little one is already practicing her first 'breaths'. She's able to move amniotic fluid in and out of her lungs, and while this isn't quite the same as breathing air, it's an important step that allows her to exercise and develop all the muscles involved in breathing. While her body is making these motions, she's not yet ready to breathe on her own. Your little one has a while to go before she's ready to be born and take on the challenges of living outside the womb.

What's New with You

Your uterus is now about the size of a grapefruit, which is also about the same size it will be after the birth, and your baby is about the size of a lemon. You may be discussing second trimester testing options with your care provider now, such as ultrasounds. Since shared decision-making is key to good health for you and your baby, be sure to review some tips on prenatal tests before your appointment.

Words of Wisdom from Another Mom

'I am fortunate to have two great women in my life - my mom and my neighbor - friend. I am my mom's only child, but I grew up knowing that pregnancy and birth for my mom was a very special, beautiful process. My neighbor-friend has four children who are all grown now. She also gave me the knowledge that pregnancy and birth are amazing and that a woman is to enjoy them. I built upon the knowledge they passed on to me by educating myself about pregnancy and birth as much as I could, and consciously making an effort to think positively and act positively throughout the whole experience. It was great. I loved it. I felt so beautiful and powerful. It was the most natural thing.'

Want to learn more? Sign up for Lamaze Pregnancy Week by Week -- it's free!

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