Newsletter - week 14

Welcome To Week 14

Your Baby: Practicing Breathing

The fetus weighs in at almost 1 ounce (28 g), and measures around 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm) in length. Generally during this week, the fetus may start growing hair on the head and other places such as the eyebrows. If it is a girl, her ovaries already have eggs inside. For boys, this is when the prostate gland develops.

Your Body: Inside Out

For many expectant women, pregnancy is a time of venturing into unknown territory. Aside from experiencing aches and pains, the entire intestinal tract is amiss. Some mothers-to-be have heartburn or indigestion, while others fight flatulence (excessive release of gas). Others may confront constipation on a daily basis. If you are suffering from any of these internal symptoms, you're probably wondering if any of it will affect your baby. The best thing is to make sure you are getting the proper nutrition (including drinking plenty of fluids) for you and your baby. There are some things that you can do to help avoid the symptoms associated with gastrointestinal distress. Please check out "Common Changes And Discomforts During Pregnancy" for more information.

Staying relaxed is another trick that can help calm your tummy and avoid some of the more undesirable symptoms. If none of these tips help get your system back on track, you should consult your health care provider for more helpful hints.

On That Note: Food

It's never too late to alter your eating habits, increase your fruit and vegetable intake, and reduce your processed sweets. To see what you should be eating, how many times a day, and why, check out this RDA nutritional chart.

Weekly Tip

One veteran mom recommends keeping a detailed calendar chronicling your every event during the 9 months. You can mark your doctor's appointments, general emotions, the time you first felt your baby move, comments from friends and family, cravings, or whatever strikes your fancy. It's a great keepsake that will help you remember all of the precious first-time moments!

Review Date: 2/6/2007
Reviewed By: Douglas A. Levine, MD, Gynecology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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