Week 13

Key Takeaways at Week 13

• You should start feeling more like yourself as you reach the second trimester. The nausea and tiredness of early pregnancy may subside! The honeymoon period of pregnancy is nearing, so you may have a boost of energy for a few weeks.

• You may get a 13-week ultrasound or non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which searches for chromosomal abnormalities. The baby's gender may also be detected at this stage, although there are no certainties.

• Although your baby's genitals are developing, they are still difficult to see on an ultrasound. You'll have to wait until weeks 18 to 23 to receive the news you've been looking for.

• As your baby moves up and out, so does your stomach. You could even encounter folks offering their seats on the bus or train.

• If you are in Week 13 of your pregnancy you are at the end of First trimester and in the third month.

• 27 more weeks remaining in your pregnancy.

Baby's Movement and Development at Week 13

That little darling is developing quickly as you are likely to enter the second trimester. During week 13, the baby produces pee, which is discharged into the amniotic fluid. And, don't worry, this new development does not prevent the baby from ingesting amniotic fluid—it's a completely healthy and natural phase of growth. Speaking of swallowing, your child could already be sucking their thumb!

Their voice chords are starting to grow at this stage. Of course, these vocal chords will not be put to the test until the infant is born and lets out their first loud scream. Now that you can hear your baby's heartbeat at prenatal checkups and your tummy is expanding, you'll begin to feel a strong connection to your little one.

Your baby's corpus callosum started to develop last week and will continue to expand until they reach adolescence. This c-shaped structure transmits information between the left and right sides of the brain. Your baby's mouth muscles are gradually growing and, by week 13, may create a grin or frown. Your infant may also begin to suck on their thumb as a means of self-soothing. Bone tissue is growing in your child's limbs, legs, and around their head, as well as nerves, muscles, and organs. Your baby's voice chords are growing and will soon be able to make sounds. Speaking of noise, week 13 is often when expectant parents begin to share their joyful news with close friends and family members.

Baby Weight- Around 28 grammes

Baby Length- 3 inches long

Baby Size- Comparable to a Lemon

Pregnancy Symptoms and Body Changes This Week

You may find that at 13 weeks pregnant, your symptoms shift slightly. You may be able to go through the day without feeling sick or needing to sleep. However, you may also be experiencing any of these 13 weeks pregnant symptoms:

Visible veins- You can see all those blue streaks and spider veins beneath your skin because your blood flow has risen.

Increase in energy- The second trimester is considered the least symptomatic and most active. As you begin to feel more like yourself and experience an energy boost, you'll want to cross a lot of tasks off your to-do list. Also, if you've been too unwell and exhausted to exercise recently, now is the time to resume your fitness program. Exercise will help both you and the baby and may even make labour easier. Worth it!

Increased sexual desire- If you're one of the fortunate pregnant ladies who feels like hitting the hay at 13 weeks. At 13 weeks of pregnancy, you may notice some post-coital spotting. A little spotting is typical since your cervix is more sensitive. However, severe bleeding (like a period) is not, so see your doctor if it is more like a flow. Otherwise, you and your spouse may utilise your heightened sexual urge to spend some quality time together before the baby comes!

You may notice some vaginal discharge known as leukorrhea. It is part of the body's attempts to keep the delivery canal clean and clear of infections. The creamy discharge is a result of oestrogen production.

There's still a risk you'll have indigestion, constipation, or heartburn, so avoid meals and beverages that aggravate these symptoms.

If you are 13 weeks pregnant with twins, you may still be suffering morning sickness and exhaustion. Twin mothers might have higher levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG in their bodies. If your nausea and vomiting are extreme, see your OB. If you can keep food and beverages down but are still feeling nauseous, simply wait a bit longer.

Your Baby Bump at Week 13

Your uterus has grown large enough to protrude from your pelvic cavity. That suggests you are beginning to appear pregnant. Expect to seem more pregnant from now on, since having a 13-week-old foetus necessitates increased weight gain. OBs urge that you gain weight in the healthiest manner possible—slowly and gradually throughout your pregnancy.

You're probably doing well in terms of nausea and morning sickness! However, in order to create space for your rapidly developing 13-week foetus, your uterus is expanding upward and outward. This growth might lead to stretch marks and itching abdominal skin. Remember to moisturise and eat well to keep your skin nice and supple!

13-week ultrasound

If you have selected prenatal cell-free DNA testing, also known as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), to check for chromosomal abnormalities, you will be able to determine the sex when you get your findings.

A 13-week ultrasound might identify baby's gender, but since it can be difficult to distinguish between small boy and girl parts, your doctor will most likely wait until the mid-pregnancy ultrasound (about 18 to 22 weeks), when it will be much easier to tell whether you're expecting a girl or a boy (Outside India).

Tips for Week 13

Being 13 weeks pregnant is a significant milestone for both you and your baby. Here's some additional professional advice on how to transition to this new stage while keeping you and your baby safe.

• A urinary tract infection, if left untreated, may spread to the kidneys and endanger the health of both mother and infant. If you need to use the toilet more often than usual, have burning when urinating, or if anything looks or smells strange, see your doctor, who may test for germs and prescribe medication.

• When you're 13 weeks pregnant, your body needs all the assistance it can receive. Pregnancy and labour may damage your pelvic floor, but Kegel exercises can help strengthen it. They don't require much time or effort, and maintaining a consistent pattern throughout pregnancy might result in reduced urine leaks after delivery and improved sexual experiences.

• You and your spouse may be hot and heavy between the sheets right now, but have some fun outside the bedroom so you can spend quality time together before the baby turns three.

• Is there no more morning sickness? Breakfast is served! It's the ideal time to consume calcium, protein, and the potent minerals found in veggies and whole grains. A healthy breakfast may also help you establish a good eating pattern for the remainder of the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the second trimester?
   At week 13, you are still in the first trimester, but you are just a few days away from reaching the next milestone. The second trimester lasts from week 14 to week 27 (or 26 weeks and 6 days), totalling 13 weeks. The second trimester is the middle of your pregnancy and is often when pregnant women feel their best in terms of symptoms.
2. How can I ensure a healthy second trimester?
   Healthy eating and regular exercise are essential throughout the second trimester and throughout your pregnancy. Maintain your usual workout schedule, but don't overdo it. In general, you should be able to have a conversation while working out.

Checklist for Week 13

• Begin examining daycare alternatives.
• Inform your boss you are pregnant.
• If you have a toddler, start preparing for the baby's arrival.
• Begin thinking about child care possibilities for infants.
• Purchase a fantastic maternity bra (it is time!)