While pregnancy’s weeks and months don’t always align perfectly for math, most providers consider week 13 of pregnancy as part of the second trimester. You’ve made it!

The second trimester is an exciting time. Many women find that they have a new burst of energy and are, for the first time, really ready to think about nursery furniture, pregnancy announcements, and photo sessions. In the coming weeks, you’ll have a second ultrasound, likely engage in some prenatal testing and start preparing for your baby’s arrival.

Meanwhile, your baby’s body will be doing the hard work of preparing to function fully outside the womb. By the end of this trimester, he’ll be much closer to that goal!

Your Baby’s Development At 13 Weeks

Your baby is now about two-and-a-half to almost three inches long. While that is still incredibly tiny, he is about twice the size he was three weeks ago!

Your baby’s bones are becoming more solid, and he’s now swallowing the amniotic fluid he swims in and passing it back out as urine. (That may sound gross, but it’s normal and not harmful!)

His vocal cords are now developed, and he has tiny little lungs, although they’re not yet ready to carry out their full functions. Instead, his oxygen comes through the umbilical cord for now.

Quick Overview: Baby's Development At 13 Weeks Pregnant:

• Baby’s size is now 2.5 to almost 3 inches long, nearly twice the size from three weeks ago.
• Bones are becoming more solid as they continue to develop.
• Swallowing amniotic fluid and passing it as urine, a normal process.
• Vocal cords are developed, though not yet in use.
• Tiny lungs are forming, but oxygen is still supplied through the umbilical cord.

Mother’s Symptoms At 13 Weeks

It’s common to have dizziness, shortness of breath, or headaches during pregnancy. Several contributing factors include hormones, altered blood pressure, higher blood volume, and dehydration. This should be mentioned to your doctor at your next appointment, but it warrants an immediate call if it is severe or ongoing.

Heartburn and indigestion are an unfortunate part of pregnancy and can hold on through all three trimesters. This can even get worse as the uterus grows and puts more pressure on the stomach. OTC antacids are typically considered safe during pregnancy. You can also try other interventions, including drinking more water, eating smaller meals more frequently, and avoiding foods that trigger heartburn and indigestion. If these symptoms make resting difficult, try relaxing in an inclined position rather than lying flat and putting a few hours between eating and lying down.

Speaking of food choices, you may be experiencing some pretty wild cravings by now. Your body is trying to meet your and your baby’s needs and may make unexpected demands. Often, these are coded calls for specific vitamins or nutrients. For instance, a craving for oranges could mean you need more vitamin C or a craving for ice cream might be due to the calcium in dairy products. Sometimes, though, these cravings can send you in the wrong direction. If you’re craving nonfood items, like paper or dirt, speak to your doctor to determine whether you may need an iron supplement!

Now that the worst of the breast tenderness from early pregnancy has passed, you may have a new symptom: leaking colostrum. Some women won’t see a drop of colostrum outside their body until after their baby is born, others will start leaking late in pregnancy, and others may start seeing leakage as early as 13 weeks. Nursing pads (disposable or washable) sold for breastfeeding can be inserted into your bra to minimize leakage through clothing and to prevent your skin from sticking painfully to your bra.

Hair and skin changes can ramp up during the second trimester due to hormones. This can mean thicker, more luxurious hair, but it can also mean dry or oily skin, acne breakouts, and even rashes or new sensitivities to soaps, detergents, and other products. Avoid trying new products, and check with your doctor before using acne medications, as some can be dangerous for your baby.

Some women will have dental difficulties during pregnancy, including swollen or bleeding gums. You may also suffer nosebleeds.

During the second trimester, many women will have round ligament pain. This can feel alarming, as it can be a fairly severe pain in the abdominal area and even into the groin, but it’s not typically a sign of any serious problem. It is caused by the growing and stretching of round ligaments and can be triggered by certain movements or sometimes by such simple actions as coughing or sneezing. It may be soothed by changing positions, using a belly band, taking a warm bath, or using OTC pain medications.

13 Week Pregnancy Symptoms Quick Recap:

• Dizziness, shortness of breath, and headaches due to hormonal changes, altered blood pressure, and increased blood volume.
• Heartburn and indigestion may persist throughout pregnancy and worsen as the uterus grows.
• Cravings for unusual foods are driven by the body’s need for specific vitamins or nutrients.
• Cravings for non-food items (pica) may indicate a deficiency.
• Leaking colostrum may start as early as 13 weeks, though it varies by person.
• Hair and skin changes, including thicker hair, dry or oily skin, acne, rashes, or new product sensitivities.
• Swollen or bleeding gums and nosebleeds may develop.
• Round ligament pain is a sharp or severe pain in the abdomen or groin caused by stretching ligaments.

When To Contact Your Doctor

While many women will suffer harmless (if miserable) round ligament pain at this point in pregnancy, sudden severe pain, or pain that does not ease with a change of position or OTC pain meds can be serious, and you should contact your doctor. Any bleeding at this point in pregnancy warrants communication with your doctor, and heavy bleeding calls for emergency care.

Though some psychiatric medications are off the table during pregnancy, anxiety, and depression can still be treated, so if you find that your mental health is suffering, speak to your doctor!

Contact your doctor or seek emergency care for severe nausea and vomiting, vomiting that includes blood or signs of dehydration such as inability to pass urine over more extended periods or for any severe dizziness or fainting.

Call your doctor if you notice vision changes, including spots in your vision. Also, call for any swelling that is sudden and significant, any facial swelling, or any swelling that is significantly more on one side of the body than the other.

Contact your doctor immediately if you think you may be showing signs of early labor, including regular contractions, leakage of fluid that you suspect may be amniotic fluid, or vomiting and diarrhea.

It’s wise to make a phone call for any symptom that is sudden and severe or chronic enough to raise concerns. Your provider may also have an after-hours number or a nurse hotline that can offer assurances and information to determine whether a situation is emergent.

What Should Mom Be Doing At 13 Weeks?

Make sure to get plenty of calcium! Your baby needs it for their developing bones, and you need it too. Pregnancy can be hard on the bones and teeth.

Try to eat a nutritious diet. Consider a multivitamin, especially if pregnancy symptoms make it difficult to obtain necessary vitamins through food sufficiently.

Speak to your doctor about the best amount of exercise for you. It can be a delicate balancing act to avoid triggering round ligament pain or other discomforts while keeping active. Advice for physical labor may vary, so if your job or daily life involves a lot of heavy lifting or strenuous activity, ask whether your doctor advises you to continue this or to reduce or alter any activity.

Consider a belly band for extra support.

If you want a home doppler to listen to your baby between prenatal visits, check reviews on the product you’re considering! There is no real regulation on these products’ claims, and their capabilities can vary widely. Your healthcare provider may be able to make a sound recommendation for the best home Doppler option.

Choose comfortable clothing, whether or not you’re ready for maternity pants. Too tight clothing can put pressure on your organs and worsen back pain, fatigue, and other symptoms, including digestive discomfort.

Quick Recap Of What Mom Should Be Doing At 13 Weeks Pregnant:

• Get plenty of calcium to support both your baby’s developing bones and your own bone health.
• Eat a nutritious diet and consider a multivitamin if pregnancy symptoms make it difficult to get necessary nutrients.
• Consult your doctor about exercise, balancing activity to avoid discomfort while staying active.
• Ask about physical labor limits if your job or daily routine involves heavy lifting or strenuous activity.
• Consider a belly band for extra support.
• Research home doppler devices before purchasing, as their quality and effectiveness vary.
• Wear comfortable clothing, as tight clothing can worsen back pain, fatigue, and digestive discomfort.

What To Look Forward To

Your second ultrasound, coming up in a month or two, will give you a more precise look at your baby. An ultrasound technician, a nurse midwife, or your obstetrician may perform this scan. They’ll look for measurements of body parts and organs, ensuring that development is progressing as it should. You may also be able to find out the baby’s sex at this scan, although you could still be surprised at birth!

If early pregnancy symptoms, including nausea and fatigue, are still plaguing you, they could still ease in the next week or so. If you’ve struggled to eat, you may finally find your appetite returning!

Many moms report that their sex drive, feelings of attractiveness, and physical comfort return during the second trimester, too. Some couples find this a good time for a “babymoon,” or at least to schedule a few date nights before life gets much busier!

Moms documenting their pregnancy progress via weekly photos may see changes now, but if not, they likely will soon!