Week 14

Welcome to the second trimester, the ‘honeymoon’ phase of your pregnancy. You’ll probably be feeling less nauseous, more energetic and more excited about being pregnant. Your baby is now the size of a nectarine and growing rapidly. Read on about what to look out for this week.

At around 9cm long, your baby is starting to practise their breathing movements – even though they get all the oxygen they need from the placenta through the umbilical cord – and their heart is pumping several litres of blood through their body every day.

During your second trimester, you’ll probably find you have lots more energy compared to your first trimester. If you feel like you want to exercise and put the energy to good use, make sure you choose an activity that is safe. Antenatal yoga is ideal – not just for relaxation but also for the breathing techniques it teaches which can help during labour. It also improves strength and flexibility so that your body is better equipped to cope during pregnancy. Make sure you choose a class that’s designed especially for pregnancy and always consult your doctor before you start anything new.

Sticking to a good exercise routine combined with healthy eating now will make it easier to continue with your good habits after the birth and will help you regain your pre-pregnancy figure quicker.

Learn about exercising during pregnancy >>

If you have a question about any of the changes your body is going through, our Careline advisors are on hand – just call 800 6458 6262 (UAE)/ +971 4 420 9489 (Other countries) between the hours of 9am and 6pm Saturday to Thursday.