Day 102 of 280, second trimester
You are 14 weeks and 4 days
To work well, the placenta needs a good blood supply from the arteries in the wall of your uterus.
178 days until your due date
The placenta now starts a second wave of growth lasting almost six weeks. Its outer cells move into the coiled (spiral) arteries of the uterus and break down their muscular walls, making the arteries widen so blood flows through them easily. Only the 80–100 arteries under the placenta are changed this way. If the cells go too deep, they can fuse too tightly with the uterine muscle and be hard to separate after delivery. If too few cells invade, blood doesn't flow freely, which can raise the mother's risk of preeclampsia and cause growth problems for the baby.
Ask a Doctor
I'm staying out of the sun, but is fake tan OK?
Sunless tanning lotions are safer than sunbathing or tanning beds, but they haven't been tested on pregnant women, so their effects aren't known, and it may be best to go without a tan. A fake tan doesn't protect your skin, so if you wear one, you'll still need sun protection.
No tanning pills are FDA-approved. They may contain canthaxanthin, which can be toxic to your baby and has been linked to hepatitis and eye damage.
Good to know
Sleep remedies
You may not need the bathroom as much at night, and aches and pains may not have started, but sleep may still be elusive in the second trimester, perhaps because of vivid dreams. Even if you feel well, you need enough sleep, because your body is working hard. To sleep better:
- Have a late-night snack containing the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan.
- Don't watch TV in bed, so it's easier to fall asleep.
- Cut down on caffeine and switch to a non-herbal fruit tea at bedtime.
- Have a bath before bed with soft music or candlelight, but make sure the water isn't hot, because that can stimulate rather than relax you.
As a matter of fact
Planting the placenta
Native Hawaiians traditionally believe the placenta is part of the child.
It's customary to plant it with a tree, which then grows alongside the child.
Read the full 14 weeks pregnant guide
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.