13 Weeks Pregnant: End Of the First Trimester

Welcome to week thirteen of your pregnancy!

Week thirteen is special because it marks the end of the first trimester, which means that, at 13 weeks pregnant, the first third of your pregnancy journey is already behind you.

At 13 weeks pregnant, the mom-to-be is going through a lot of changes, but the little baby inside of you is going through a lot of changes as well. And there is so much to do!

At 13 weeks pregnant, you will feel like a new woman, almost like you are turning the corner and starting a new era in your pregnancy. The first trimester, full of morning sickness, fatigue, and other issues, will be entirely behind you. You can expect a lot more ease in the second trimester!

Keep reading to see what is in front of you at week thirteenth pregnancy week.

Early pregnancy symptoms During the Thirteenth Pregnancy Week

Around 13 weeks pregnant, you might notice that your symptoms are changing. Getting through the day without nausea might look possible again, and skipping a nap is no longer out of reach.

Unfortunately, it might take a bit longer for future moms carrying twins or multiples. Moms-to-be that are having multiples have more of the pregnancy hormone hCG in their systems, which causes them to experience some morning sickness and fatigue longer than moms who do not, including at 13 weeks pregnant.

Some other pregnancy symptoms you can expect during week thirteen of your early pregnancy are going to include:

• Increase in energy
  Many pregnant women regard the second trimester as the most energetic. At 13 weeks pregnant, you are very likely to stop feeling fatigued and sleepy all the time and much more inclined to knock a bunch of to-dos off your list. Week thirteen is also the perfect time to slowly and gently return to a fitness routine as the pregnancy progresses.
• Visible veins
  Due to an increased blood flow, which is present during pregnancy, you are very likely to be able to see visible veins, both big and small, all over your body. The veins are very likely to be the most visible on your belly, legs, arms, and neck.
• Increased sex drive
  At thirteen weeks pregnant, your need to enjoy intimate time with your partner might be returning due to pregnancy hormones, so make sure to enjoy the increased libido before the baby arrives! Post-sex spotting can occur because the cervix is a bit more sensitive than usual, which is normal, but inform your healthcare provider anyway. However, if you notice heavy, period-like bleeding and vaginal discharge, make sure to call your healthcare provider as that is a cause for concern.

What happens to the baby during week thirteen of pregnancy?

At week thirteen of your pregnancy, your baby is about the size of a lemon, which is about 2.9 inches long and 0.81 ounces heavy!

At this point in the second trimester, the baby’s development has come a long way!

The baby’s head is about half the complete length, making the baby look a bit like an alien. However, this should not worry you, as the measurements even out and the baby’s body catches up to the baby’s head before the baby’s due date.

At 13 weeks pregnant, the bones are also forming in the baby’s arms and legs. Your baby’s intestines are now in the abdomen and not in the cavity inside the umbilical cord anymore, which is a big change! At 13 weeks pregnant, your baby is also going to develop vocal cords.

You obviously cannot hear the baby crying right now, but you will get used to that sound once the baby arrives. Expectant parents can also hear the baby’s heartbeat at 13 weeks.

This is the last week you can do the first-trimester screening test to detect fetal chromosomal anomalies by nuchal translucency measurement.

Pregnancy Checklist During Week Thirteen

There is a lot to do at 13 weeks pregnant, and keeping track can be tricky.

Here is what you need to do at week thirteen of your pregnancy to stay on track and prepared.

• Discuss announcing the pregnancy.
  Many parents-to-be decide to share the news about the pregnancy around week thirteen. Thirteen weeks pregnant is a great time to discuss this with your partner. However, remember that there are no rules about when you should share the happy secret; it is totally up to you!
• Start a baby registry.
  It is up to you whether you want to share the news about the pregnancy with your family just yet. However, nothing is stopping you from starting the baby registry in private! Now is the perfect time to start planning and thinking about what you need to buy for your little baby. Some of the must-have items for new parents include the crib, stroller, diapers, wipes, toys, baby clothes, and burp cloths.
• Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
  The muscles of your pelvic area and genital area can weaken from pregnancy and labor. However, the area can be strengthened by doing Kegel exercises preemptively. Kegel exercises take very little time and effort to perform, and they will pay off after pregnancy, as they will save you a lot of potential issues.
• Spend some time together.
  Make sure to spend some quality time with your partner before the baby arrives. Of course, spending time in the bedroom is fun, but make sure to have some quality time outside too, such as taking walks, working out together, or just simply watching TV with dinner and relaxing.
• If you have an older child, prepare them for the baby’s arrival.
  If you already have children, mention the baby, and explain how the baby will be a change, but a positive one! Do not worry too much about their initial reaction; all children come around even if their initial reaction is fussy.

What to avoid or begin to avoid during the second trimester?

There are some things you need to stay away from and altogether avoid during week thirteen of your pregnancy for safe fetal development, some of which include:

• Smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, and being exposed to toxic substances.
• Carrying heavy weight and performing physically demanding workouts.
• Touching kitty litter or cat feces.
• Drinking an excessive amount of caffeine.
• Eating deli meats, raw or undercooked meat, fish, chicken, eggs, cheeses from unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized dairy foods, high mercury fish such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and unwashed fruits and vegetables.
• Having close contact with anyone who has rubella or chickenpox. If you think you might have been infected, talk to your healthcare provider.
• Reconsider traveling to an area where the Zika virus is present, as this virus can cause congenital disabilities. If the travel is necessary, make sure to advise your healthcare provider first.