13 Weeks Pregnant

By the time you’re 13 weeks pregnant, you’re rapidly closing in on the end of your first trimester. Hopefully, you’re feeling a little better than you have been and are starting to think that pregnancy isn’t so bad after all. You've probably had at least 1 prenatal visit and heard your baby's heartbeat by now. Having a professional, such as a midwife or doctor, talk about your baby confirms your pregnancy as an absolute reality.

You may have had an ultrasound by the time you’re 13 weeks pregnant, particularly if you had any threats of miscarriage. For women who have felt ambivalent about conceiving, or found the news of their pregnancy a shock, this first ultrasound can be almost life changing. It brings the reality of the baby into sharp focus and gives a visual reminder that life as they've known it is about to change.

Now, where do I sit?

Seeing other pregnant women in a waiting room can make you feel you’re part of a select club, one which requires a unique entry pass. Many women enjoy this sense of unity with others. Alternatively, it can leave some concerned if they are really doing things right. Everyone else may be looking so much more confident and relaxed than you're feeling. Don’t worry if you really can’t get your head around exactly how you came to be there. You’re all waiting for similar reasons, though each of you have your own story. These doubts are completely, 100 percent normal.

Your physical changes this week

That sluggish feeling in your bowel is still an unwelcome guest. Many pregnant women find themselves thinking more about their bathroom habits than they really want to. Progesterone is the culprit, the hormone which works so well in relaxing muscle fibers. Fiber and lots of it, water, exercise, prune juice, as well as cereals with grains and whole meal all help to relieve constipation. Stick with food and fluid-based remedies rather than medication, no matter how "natural" they claim to be. It's citrus fruit time for you in week 13. Your uterus is the size of a grapefruit and just as full. You may be more conscious of feeling a heaviness when you sit down or at the end of the day. You may be looking a bit different around the tummy. More rounded with less of a defined waist and a bit of thickness around your navel. Not so much that you need to revolutionize your wardrobe quite yet, but just a bit softer in some way. If you've had babies before, you will probably find that you "show" earlier than if it’s your first pregnancy. The muscles and ligaments which support your abdomen are more relaxed and have stretched before. Winter, with all its extra bulky clothing, can provide a perfect means of disguising an enlarging tummy. That's if you want to keep your news a secret for a while longer. If you’re still having nausea, you may find that eating 5-6 smaller meals a day is better than restricting yourself to the standard 3. Try not to wait too long before you eat and aim to keep your blood sugar at a steady level. There is research to support the fact that women who are pregnant with a boy, tend to eat more than if they’re carrying a girl.

Your emotional changes this week

Lots of pregnant women feel they've adjusted to the idea of being pregnant by week 13. The size of their tummy isn’t restricting them from usual physical movement and that dreaded rush to the toilet has calmed down, for a while at least. You may find yourself feeling a bit more calm and serene this week, more accepting and going with the flow.

Your baby's changes this week

This week your baby is the size of a ripe peach and probably just as fuzzy at this stage of his development. The fine hair which covers the surface of your baby's body at 13 weeks serves to protect his skin when he is floating around in all that fluid. Your baby is preparing his vocal chords from this week. One of the most amazing noises you will ever hear is your baby's first cry, a mix between relief and longing to calm them. There will be times of course when you’ll wish those vocal chords didn’t work quite as well as they do. Welcome to parenthood. The connections between your baby's brain, muscles and nerves have all formed by now. He’s able to move freely and use his muscles to push and pull himself into various positions.

Hints For the Week

Start carrying around some tissues and make sure you've got plenty on hand. Nasal congestion can start from week 13 which is not because of a cold. Nose bleeds and blocked ears can also be a common symptom. These are all due to the increased blood supply to your mucous membranes. Avoid thinking you’re now able to "eat for two". You will only pay for this later when it can be hard to lose excess pregnancy weight. An ideal weight gain in pregnancy is between 25 to 30 pounds, less if you begin pregnancy overweight and more if you started out underweight. Remember, it’s the quality, rather than the quantity of food which you need to be careful about. Don’t deny yourself the occasional treat but be sensible about what you put into your mouth. Start looking for maternity clothes. If your budget is tight think about borrowing from a friend who has had a baby recently. Secondhand maternity clothes are usually in great condition because they've not been worn for very long. Stay tuned for the start of your second trimester.