13 weeks pregnant: details

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-17 18:33

Expectant women are very curious about what happens to their bodies each week of pregnancy. After all, literally every day the baby grows in size, learns new things, and the body shows its amazing capabilities, flexibly adapting to the growing uterus and fetus. At the 13th week of pregnancy, many expectant mothers calm down a bit and begin to enjoy their position. They are gradually released by the first fears for the he alth of the baby, toxicosis and other unpleasant symptoms of the restructuring of the body pass, and the risk of miscarriage at this time approaches almost zero. Therefore, experts call the 13th week of pregnancy one of the best periods when women are fully able to feel the happiness of their special position and share it with their inner circle.

Thirteenth week in brief

Belly at 13 weeks of pregnancy is not yet noticeable, however, depending on the physique of the expectant mother, it may already begin to bulge a little, which makes it impossible to wear your favoritetight pants and skirts. Therefore, many mothers during this period go for the first shopping for things that will hide an interesting situation for the time being. However, most women do not yet notice any serious changes in their body and continue to lead a normal life and use all the things from the wardrobe.

It is important that the 13th week of pregnancy is a kind of transitional period. The first trimester is ending, full of anxiety for the life of the unborn baby, feeling unwell and reconsidering life values. It can be said that the beginning of the second trimester is perceived by most women as a relief, because now they may no longer listen so reverently to their body, fearing that it may reject the baby. Also, pregnant women at this time have probably already registered with the antenatal clinic, passed the first tests and made sure that everything is in order with the baby. From now on, he will only grow and develop, and not all children do it the same way. The development of the fetus at 13 weeks of gestation may differ slightly from data from textbooks in obstetrics and gynecology. This nuance can be noticed by communicating with other mothers and comparing the results of the first ultrasound. However, don't worry if your baby is a little smaller than your friend's. Most likely, in a couple of weeks he will catch up with him, and perhaps even overtake him.

Since the 13th week of pregnancy delivered to you in the antenatal clinic is obstetric, you should not forget that it has passed since the moment of conception of your babyapproximately eleven real weeks. Experts say that at this time, pregnancy can be considered days. For example, the 13th week of pregnancy is ninety-one days from that happy moment when the egg was fertilized.

How big is your baby?

Most mothers start a special pregnancy calendar and watch with great pleasure how their baby grows every week. The size of the fetus at the 13th week of pregnancy is close to 10-12 cm. A size starting from sixty-five millimeters is also considered the norm. The baby weighs about twenty grams, this is what is considered the norm for the specified period. If you compare your baby to a fruit, then the size of the fetus at 13 weeks of gestation is most reminiscent of a medium peach.

It is noteworthy that from this period the baby's body will grow faster than his head. With each month, the proportions will approach those of a newborn baby.

Features of child development

At the 13th week of pregnancy, the development of the crumbs is proceeding at a rapid pace. For example, he has already fully formed the rudiments of twenty teeth, and the head in relation to the body is approximately one-third.

Despite the fact that the baby's skin is still surprisingly transparent, and through it you can see all the vessels and internal organs, he already has his own unique fingerprints that will distinguish him from other people throughout his life.

A 13 week fetus is no longer just a fetus, it isboy or girl. It is at this stage that the sex of the child is formed, but not every specialist can see it correctly on ultrasound. Therefore, parents usually find out the sex of their long-awaited baby not at the first, but at one of the following ultrasound examinations.

It can be said that at this time the digestive and skeletal systems of the fetus develop most actively. A child at the 13th week of pregnancy visually becomes like a little man. The ears take their usual place on the head, the eyes move to the bridge of the nose, and hundreds of small bones are laid in the limbs. The baby's intestines gradually move into the abdominal cavity, where it will take its final position in a few weeks.

What can baby do?

Fetal development at 13 weeks of pregnancy is characterized not only by the formation of internal organs, but also by new skills and abilities. Also, do not forget that the child at this time improves and psychological reactions, he begins to react very actively to the mood and condition of the mother. He tries to listen and respond to all external stimuli, the voices of his mother and father, the baby is able to isolate and classify from many other sounds.

At thirteen weeks, the baby begins to taste the amniotic fluid and express their emotions about their taste. For example, if a mother is addicted to spicy food, then the baby may well begin to frown by swallowing the amniotic fluid. After all, it will have a pronounced bitter aftertaste. And if the amniotic fluid is sweetish, then he will squint frompleasure and even smile.

In the photo of the ultrasound at 13 weeks of pregnancy, you can see how the baby sucks his thumb. This important skill will help him find his mother's breast and suckle milk in the future, but it is laid at this time.

What happens to a baby at 13 weeks pregnant? He starts to make faces, yawns and hiccups. His movements cease to be chaotic and acquire orderliness. Despite the fact that most of the time the baby sleeps, in those few minutes when he is awake, the baby tries to master the space around him and get as much information about the outside world.

The well-being of the expectant mother

Ultrasound at the 13th week of pregnancy partly relieves maternal fears about the he alth of her unborn baby, so after this procedure, many women note some relief in their physical condition. Also, mothers become more calm and balanced, experts also associate this fact with the end of the first trimester and the transition to the second third of pregnancy.

Usually, by this period, women completely forget about such an unpleasant phenomenon as toxicosis. In rare cases, nausea may still persist, but it appears extremely rarely and accompanies the ingestion of certain foods that are very easy to calculate. Many mothers begin to experience a strong feeling of hunger and absorb a huge amount of food at a time, explaining this by what happens to the baby at the 13th week of pregnancy, namely, its rapid growth and development. However, on the veryactually it's not worth doing it. If a pregnant woman overeats, she runs the risk of gaining excess weight, which is difficult to get rid of after childbirth. It can also cause problems even at the stage of bearing crumbs, so carefully monitor your diet and do not give in to the irrepressible feeling of hunger.

Many women start taking pictures of themselves at 13 weeks pregnant to make an interesting photo collage later on. They feel an unprecedented surge of energy and try to use this potential to the maximum. If you have no contraindications, then start playing sports, of course, choosing special exercises for pregnant women. Long walks will also be useful, they can last more than two hours. It is this duration that is considered the most beneficial for the he alth of the mother and her baby.

Since the belly continues to grow at 13 weeks of gestation, women should begin to prevent stretch marks. Do not be lazy to lubricate the skin daily with nourishing creams or special products against stretch marks. Pay special attention to the area of the abdomen, thighs and buttocks.

In addition to the abdomen, the mammary glands also increase. Of these, colostrum may begin to stand out, it is the first food of the baby after birth. But the body prepares to produce it long before the baby appears.

Possible he alth problems during pregnancy

Most women tolerate 13 weeks of pregnancy well, the development of the baby still cannot but affect the expectant mother and other problems come quietly to replace toxicosis.

Growingthe uterus increases pressure on all internal organs, which leads to heartburn, flatulence and constipation. Initially, these problems may seem insignificant, but if you do not pay due attention to them, then in the future they will significantly affect the well-being of a woman. For example, constipation can cause hemorrhoids to develop. He already torments more than eighty percent of pregnant women in the last stages, but due to constipation, the disease can manifest itself much earlier. Heartburn can be corrected by proper nutrition. Try to give up spicy, fatty and s alty at least for a while. If heartburn goes away, it means that the diet is adjusted correctly and you will have to stick to it for the rest of the time.

In the photo of 13 weeks of pregnancy, women always look charming and seductive, but many of them complain that it was during this period that severe headaches began to torment them. Experts say that they are associated with spasms of blood vessels, which are forced to constantly distill a large amount of blood. Since it is by no means possible to take painkillers at this stage of pregnancy, headaches turn into a serious problem. You can try to solve it only with cold compresses, fresh air and a long sleep. If this does not help you, then consult a doctor. He will tell you what medicine can be used in the most extreme cases.

Also try to use the folk method - a decoction of herbs. Chamomile, lemon balm and mint are suitable for you. But it is best to use only chamomile and lemon balm, mint inlarge quantities may contribute to bleeding.

Discharge and pain in the thirteenth week of pregnancy: the norm and problems

Many women are concerned about pain in the abdomen at the 13th week of pregnancy. They begin to worry about a possible miscarriage, although most often the discomfort is associated with stretching of the ligaments that hold the stomach. Similar pains appear on both sides of the abdomen and do not cause serious inconvenience. They are characterized as short-term and often occur after a long walk in heels.

But if the pains resemble those that occur during menstruation, and do not go away for a long time, then we can talk about an increased tone of the uterus. In this case, it is urgent to go to the doctor and report the tormenting symptoms.

It is not uncommon for women to notice an increased amount of vaginal discharge in the thirteenth week. Normally, this is due to an increase in the volume of fluid in the body of the expectant mother, but such discharge should have a slight sour smell or be completely without it. Their color is almost transparent or slightly whitish. If the discharge becomes thick and cheesy, then perhaps we are talking about thrush. In pregnant women, it often manifests itself and sometimes it has to be treated two or even three times in nine months.

Serious attention should be paid to secretions mixed with blood. They should alert the expectant mother and become a good reason for an unscheduled visit to the doctor or even calling an ambulance at home. Blood, as well as increased body temperature, may indicate a miscarriage or other serious problems withwomen's he alth.

The diet of the expectant mother: essential foods and features

What happens at the 13th week of pregnancy with the baby and his mother, you already know. Therefore, you can easily decide on the products that the future baby needs for development.

First of all, the baby's developing skeletal system requires a large amount of calcium. His body perfectly absorbs from cottage cheese, so this product should be on your table almost daily.

You also need to provide yourself with plenty of vegetables and fruits. Preference should be given to those species and varieties that are grown in your area. They will have more vitamins, and the probability of having nitrates is just minimal.

If you can't do without bread, then go for those types that contain bran and cereals. Usually such bread is baked from wholemeal flour, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive system.

For the development of the fetus and providing it with the necessary building material for cells, a woman should regularly eat lean meat. First of all, it should be chicken breast, fresh veal and turkey. Pork is allowed in small quantities and very rarely. However, you should not get carried away with this meat.

Try to exclude sweets and starchy foods from your daily diet. Such delights should be allowed no more than a couple of times a month, and then in small quantities. Passion for such products leads to an increase in massbody, blood sugar and digestive disorders. Therefore, if you are used to just such a diet, then the thirteenth week is just the time that allows you to change your food habits.

Ultrasound at 13 weeks pregnant

Some mothers at this time only get registered at the antenatal clinic, while others, on the contrary, have already passed all the tests and are in some kind of calm. Be that as it may, but it is by the end of the first trimester that women are sent for the first scheduled ultrasound examination. The specialist will be able to tell exactly what is happening at 13 weeks of pregnancy with your baby and if he is okay.

Most of all, the doctor conducting the study is interested in the exact timing of pregnancy, the location of the ovum and the presence of multiple pregnancies. These factors are extremely important, because, focusing on them, the district gynecologist will guide you throughout the entire period.

Also, the doctor evaluates the condition of the uterus, the attachment of the placenta to it and the motor activity of the fetus. On the screen, you can clearly see how the baby moves, bends the limbs and somersaults. In parallel, the first ultrasound allows you to determine the presence or absence of anomalies in the development of the child. Of course, if something seems suspicious to the doctor, then this is not a sentence for your pregnancy, but just an excuse for a more detailed and in-depth examination. Because of the fear of the unknown and prejudice, in no case should you refuse an ultrasound examination. In addition, an ultrasound photo at 13 weeks of gestation may be the firsta photo in your baby's album, which will later be touched by the whole family.

Some useful tips

As you already understood, thirteen weeks is a great time for mom and her baby in the tummy. But it must be done with benefit, and experienced women advise doing the following things during this period:

• start shopping for your baby, because right now it's not hard for you to move around, and shopping will create a good mood;
• find the most interesting and suitable physical activity for you (swimming, gymnastics, yoga or Pilates);
• watch the color of urine - a bright color indicates a lack of fluid in the body, which is bad for the he alth of the pregnant woman and her baby.

Expecting a baby is a special time that a woman should remember with positive emotions. Therefore, she should have an appropriate attitude and carefully monitor her well-being.