14-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips

BABY DEVELOPMENT

This week your baby’s toenails are beginning to develop. And with a dermis under the epidermis, their skin is continuing to develop. Their thyroid works and is now manufacturing thyroid hormone.  From this week, your baby starts to get a whole lot more active inside you, and their movements are more coordinated.  They now weigh around 110g and are about 12 cm in length from coccyx to crown.

YOUR BODY

If you’re feeling good right now, and a lot of women do during their second trimester, take advantage of it. You may not be able to do certain things later on in your pregnancy. It is also the perfect time to reward yourself – with a visit to the hairdresser, or an evening out with friends. You got over the first hurdle! So, whatever is fun for you, take the time to treat yourself.

NUTRITION

Fats and essential fatty acids are, well, essential in your diet.  Fat is an important nutrient in moderation and it’s important to understand that , gram for gram, fat has over twice the calories as protein or carbohydrate . Ways to ensure balanced nutrition that includes healthy fat intake are to use fat in moderation while cooking, and sometimes try alternatives to frying like baking or steaming. Vegetable oil is lower in saturated fat than butter or oil, so choose vegetable oil when possible.  Some oils are  sources of essential fatty acids for you and your baby, such as canola and walnut oils.   And don’t forget about the importance of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a fat found in some fish, such as salmon, that helps support your baby’s brain and eye development.  

TIPS

Thinking about going on holiday and wondering if you can? With careful preparation, travelling while pregnant can be safe. Consult with your doctor to discuss your travel plans well in advance.