Of course, just because it won't hurt baby, doesn't mean she can't feel you poking — in fact, baby will probably feel you move and poke before you can start to feel her, which is usually at around 18 to 20 weeks. And when baby's big enough, she might even poke back!
The bottom line
The vast majority of contact your belly has with the outside world every day won't hurt your baby — they're very well protected in there!
Gently poke or jiggle your baby bump.
And plenty of moms have felt their babies move in utero just with a gentle poke to the stomach or jiggle of their bump. Just remember not to prod too vigorously: You've got precious cargo in there!
In the first trimester, the baby is deep inside your abdomen and surrounded by a lot of amniotic fluid. Her body is tiny and still developing, so it's unlikely she has any awareness of the outside yet. However, big changes happen in the second trimester, which allows your little one to feel touch and respond to it.
At 15 weeks of pregnancy, you are in your second trimester and will start to notice big changes. However, according to some researchers, it isn't until about 21 weeks of pregnancy that your baby may begin to feel sensations when you rub your belly.
Even in your third trimester of pregnancy, bending is still considered safe for your baby. You'll probably find it becomes increasingly difficult for you, though, if not impossible. Apart from your extra body weight, the size of your belly is increasing.
The Bottom Line. Typically, most mild to moderate hits to your pregnant belly won't endanger your baby as the uterus provides a well-protected space to grow. However, harder hits can cause serious harm.
14 weeks pregnant belly
At 14 weeks of pregnancy, your uterus has expanded to fill your pelvis and ascend into your abdominal cavity — you may be able to feel your baby bump as a soft, smooth oval.
Your unborn baby will begin moving around 12 weeks of pregnancy, but you probably won't feel it yet. If you've been pregnant before, you may sense quickening by about 16 weeks in pregnancy. However, if this is your first baby, it's common not to feel movement until 20 weeks.
For an early start, dads can talk to baby in the womb. Babies can begin hearing sounds and voices around the 18-week mark. Are there any specific benefits of dad talking to baby in the womb? For one thing, talking to them early can help them recognize your voice sooner after they're born.
Compressing this can disrupt blood flow to your baby and leave you nauseated, dizzy and short of breath. Back sleeping can also constrict the aorta, blocking off the main blood supply to your body and placenta.
At 19 weeks, the top of the uterus (the uterine fundus) is just below the level of the belly button. So most fetal movement (kicks, etc.) is felt in the lower part of the belly. As both the uterus and fetus grow, a fetus' movements can be felt all over the belly, including the upper part of the abdomen.
They found that when mothers rubbed their bellies, fetuses had more arm, head, and mouth movements than when the women did nothing or when they spoke to the baby.
If you are pregnant and working, you may want to reduce or avoid: Stooping, bending, or squatting often. Lifting heavy objects from the floor or any location that requires you to bend or reach. Lifting overhead or reaching.
Back sleeping is no longer safe after 28 weeks gestation, but there are a few other comfortable positions for you to safely doze in.
If you're in your second or third trimester of pregnancy and you notice that sometimes your pregnant belly gets very hard, feels tight, and even causes mild discomfort, you're probably experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Your Pregnant Belly at 14 Weeks
Your 14-week pregnant belly might be feeling achy and sore, but that's simply because your uterus is expanding to accommodate your rapidly growing baby. Don't be surprised if weight gain starts to speed up at 14 weeks pregnant.
One study, published in 2001 in the journal Human Fetal and Neonatal Movement Patterns, found that boys may move around more in the womb than girls. The average number of leg movements was much higher in the boys compared to the girls at 20, 34 and 37 weeks, that study found.
What does it feel like? Some women describe the first movements as bubbling or tickling. Others say it's more like pressure or vibration. Here's how women describe those precious first movements on the popular pregnancy forum Netmums.
Weeks 21 to 24: Faster Baby Growth
As you make your way through the second trimester, you might notice your baby bump expanding by the week! During this month, your baby is growing at a faster pace than before, and at the same time, your hormones are starting to level out.
When do you start showing in pregnancy? First-time moms usually start showing sometime between 12 and 18 weeks. In a BabyCenter poll, most women expecting their first child said they started to show between 12 and 18 weeks, very closely followed by those who said that their bump emerged between 18 and 24 weeks.
Many women choose to delay announcing a pregnancy at least until the end of the first trimester (12 weeks into their pregnancy). This is usually because of concerns about the risk of miscarriage (pregnancy loss) during this time.
Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
Sure…if that's what you want to do. It might seem weird at first, since baby is so small and still developing. But your baby is incredibly well cushioned in there. Remember, she's floating in a sac of amniotic fluid, which is surrounded by a thick, muscular organ (your uterus).
A midwife or doctor will use abdominal palpation during an antenatal visit to examine a baby's position and development.