Week 14: Your pregnancy

Your baby's growth: Hair, lanugo and eyebrows

Your baby now weighs between 1 and 2 ounces and is about 3.6 inches long.

This week your baby begins to develop hair. Soft, peachfuzz-like hair begins to appear on her head, although by delivery day its texture and color may change. Lanugo (very fine, downy hair) continues to grow over your baby's body to protect her delicate skin. Fine, soft eyebrows are also appearing.

Here's what else you can expect this week:

• Breathing motions. You won't be able to feel it, but your baby is practicing breathing motions, moving the amniotic fluid in and out of her lungs.
• Prostate gland begins to develop in boys.
• Ovaries descend from the abdomen into the pelvis in girls.
• Growth hormone production. As the thyroid matures it produces more growth hormones.
• Ears and eyes. They continue to move into place.
• Neck elongation. Your baby's neck is getting longer.
• Hand function. Tiny hands are beginning to function, although their movements may be mostly reflexive.

What's happening with you

• Skin changes. If you had skin spots or moles before getting pregnant, these may be getting bigger or darker—or you may see some new moles developing on your body. If an existing mole changes dramatically, you should have your doctor check it.
• Constipation. At this point in your pregnancy, you may experience bouts of constipation as your uterus presses on the bowel and your hormones relax the bowel muscles, making them less efficient. Eating lots of fiber, drinking plenty of liquids, and exercising sensibly can help with constipation. It's always a good idea to check with your doctor if constipation persists.
• Testing. At this point you should talk with your doctor about the need for a blood test called the triple-screen. This involves measuring three substances in your blood and using the results to estimate your risk for having an infant with one of several birth defects, such as brain and spinal cord malformations or Down syndrome.

  If the test suggests there may be a problem, your doctor will probably advise an amniocentesis to analyze the amniotic fluid. Some doctors combine the triple-screen results with a specialized ultrasound examination during the first trimester to screen for women who should have an amniocentesis.

  As always you should discuss any risks involved with these or any other tests with your doctor.