The Playbook

14 Weeks Pregnant: Second Trimester Starts, Plan the Good Stuff

By the Guide to Fatherhood editorial team. Last reviewed . 2 min read.

Checked against guidance from organizations like the AAP, CDC, ACOG and NHS (linked below). This is general information, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.

Trimester2
Sizea peach
Length / weightabout 3.4 in (8.7 cm), about 1.5 oz (43 g)

The baby can squint, frown and grimace, and is practicing sucking and swallowing. Fine hair called lanugo starts to cover the body.

Your to-do list this week

  • If you want a babymoon, plan it now. The second trimester is generally the most comfortable time to travel. Check with her provider first.
  • Have the chores conversation and write the result down: who owns what, now and after the baby.
  • Start your leave plan in the leave planner so you know your options before talking to HR.
  • Book a childbirth class for the third trimester; good ones fill up.
A conversation to have this week

"How should we split the house stuff, and what changes when the baby comes?" Divide by ownership, not help: 'I own laundry' beats 'I'll help with laundry.'

The baby this week

The second trimester has officially begun. About the size of a peach, the baby can now make facial expressions like squinting and frowning, and is practicing sucking and swallowing (Mayo Clinic). Fine downy hair called lanugo begins to grow over the body (NHS).

How she may be feeling

For many people this is the best stretch of pregnancy: nausea fades, energy returns, and the bump starts showing. Brief, sharp twinges in the lower belly (round ligament pain) are common as the uterus grows. Some people also get nosebleeds or bleeding gums from increased blood flow.

Plan the fun stuff

If you want a trip before the baby, now is the time. ACOG says mid-pregnancy is usually the best time to travel. A few practical rules:

  • Ask her provider before booking.
  • On long flights or drives, she should move around regularly and drink water to reduce clot risk.
  • Wear the seat belt correctly: lap belt under the bump, across the hips; shoulder belt between the breasts.
  • Check travel health advisories before international trips.

A babymoon doesn’t need to be far or fancy. A night at a nice hotel an hour away counts.

Split the house like grown-ups

This is the most useful conversation of the trimester. Research and experience both say the same thing: resentment about unequal work at home is a major source of conflict for new parents. Fix it before it starts.

  • Own whole tasks, end to end. “I own dinner” means planning, shopping, cooking and cleanup, not waiting to be told.
  • Count the invisible work. Remembering appointments, buying gifts, tracking supplies. Assign those too.
  • Plan for the newborn phase. Who does night feeds, laundry, and the grocery run when she’s recovering?

Write it down and revisit it once a month. Then start your leave plan so the work split has the time to back it up.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to travel during pregnancy?

ACOG notes that the middle of pregnancy, around 14 to 28 weeks, is usually the best time to travel because energy is better and the risk of complications is lower. Check with her provider before booking, especially for flights, long road trips, or international travel.

What are round ligament pains?

Brief, sharp twinges in the lower belly or groin as the ligaments supporting the uterus stretch. They're common in the second trimester. Severe or persistent pain, or pain with bleeding or fever, should be checked.

Sources

  1. Fetal development: The 2nd trimester, Mayo Clinic
  2. Travel During Pregnancy, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  3. Week 14: Your baby and your body, NHS

We link to the original source for every medical and safety claim. Guidance changes; if a source has been updated since our last review, the source wins. How we research.