13 Weeks Pregnant: How Does Your Baby Grow Inside You

13 Weeks Pregnant: How Does Your Baby Grow Inside You

30 Sep 2022 | 5 min Read

Nidhi Pandey

Author | 47 Articles

Give yourself a pat on your back, you’ve now entered the second trimester! This period is also called the fun phase of pregnancy as most of the annoying pregnancy symptoms from trimester one fade away by now. Yay for you! Your baby is on a growth express now. S/he weighs 14 to 20 grams and is about 8 cm in length. Her/his eyelids are completely formed but they are fused shut and will not open for a few more weeks. Fingerprints also start to form by this week. Wow, your little one is gaining her/his own identity already!

Baby’s Development At 13 Weeks

Your child starts to produce urine, which it then releases into the amniotic fluid around it. Amniotic fluid is also ingested by your infant. Apart from this, your baby has prominent musculoskeletal development. The long bones and skull in particular are starting to stiffen in your baby’s skeleton.

How Does the Foetus Development In the 13 Week Look Like? 

During 13 weeks of pregnancy or in pregnancy month 4, your baby will be the size of a peach that is around 7.4 cms long and will weigh about 25g.

13 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms 

Let’s know about some common 13 weeks pregnancy symptoms to relieve your stress. 

  • You might find your appetite making a comeback now that nausea is out of the way. Focus on eating healthy from now on.
  • The need to urinate frequently will also reduce as the uterus is now away from the bladder. You might feel drowsy more often though, especially after having a heavy meal. Try to eat 5-6 mini meals to keep yourself energised!
  • If possible, take a short power nap during the day to get your energy levels up. If you are a working mum-to-be and cannot take frequent breaks, just pause, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths every now and then. Peace out!
  • By now, you surely have a small yet distinctive bump near your lower abdomen. If you wish, you can still hide your pregnancy by wearing loose, flowy clothes. Time for all those A-line dresses to make an appearance!

Your Body During 13 Weeks Pregnancy

After the uncomfortable symptoms of the first trimester, marked by morning sickness, exhaustion, and other problems, you will finally start feeling better at 13 weeks pregnant and may even feel like a new woman. Along with the common first-trimester discomforts like dyspepsia, achiness, and fatigue, you might experience an onset of new symptoms like swollen and bleeding gums, round ligament pain, headache, nosebleeds, bloating, and constipation.

13 Weeks Pregnant Belly Pictures

13 weeks pregnant
Image credit: Babycenter.com

13 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound: Do You Need It?

During your 13 weeks pregnant ultrasound, the doctor will perform a Nuchal Translucency Scan (NTS) to measure the amount of fluid behind your baby’s neck. With the use of a blood test and NTS scan, the doctor will also monitor your baby’s growth and look for any genetic issues.

Self-Care Tips & 13 Weeks Pregnancy Checklist

  • Take your prenatal vitamins as usual.
  • Remember to consume 10 to 12 glasses of water each day.
  • Increase your intake of calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium-rich foods.
  • Make sure the doctor you select is a good fit for both you and your partner.
  • Consume Calcium-rich foods such as broccoli, soy milk, fruit juices, tofu, and cereal to develop strong bones.
  • Take proper amounts of magnesium as well by eating spinach, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, and avocados.
  • Increase intake of vitamin D by consuming nutritious foods like egg yolks, fatty fish, sardines, and fortified milk.

Key Takeaways

Even if you might be having a difficult time during your pregnancy, try to lead a healthy lifestyle. Up until delivery, this will offer you and your unborn child the best assistance. You should take all of the necessary food in your diet, along with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables whenever available. Unless your doctor advises differently, you should also try to consume 8-10 glasses of water everyday and enjoy motherhood!

FAQs

Can you feel the baby at 13 weeks?

First-time mothers may not feel their baby move until the 25th week, although seasoned mothers may feel their baby’s flutter as early as 13 weeks. The sound of a baby moving can be described as bubbling, tickling, vibrating, or even as passing gas.

What should I expect at 13 weeks pregnant?

After experiencing morning sickness, exhaustion, and other problems in the first trimester, you will start to feel better at 13 weeks pregnant and may even feel like a new woman. Along with some symptoms like indigestion, achiness, and fatigue that are common in the first trimester, you might also experience an onset of new symptoms like headache, bleeding gums, and constipation.

Where is my baby at 13 weeks in my stomach?

Your baby is positioned near your lower abdomen and continues to expand rapidly.

Is 13 weeks considered the 2nd trimester?

Yes. 

A

gallery
send-btn

Suggestions offered by doctors on BabyChakra are of advisory nature i.e., for educational and informational purposes only. Content posted on, created for, or compiled by BabyChakra is not intended or designed to replace your doctor's independent judgment about any symptom, condition, or the appropriateness or risks of a procedure or treatment for a given person.