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12

13 weeks 
pregnant

14

Highlights this week

Fading first-trimester symptoms

As you cruise into the second trimester, you may get some relief from early pregnancy symptoms such as tender breasts, fatigue, food aversions, morning sickness, and the constant need to pee.

Breastfeeding prep

You can't feel it, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow. Later in pregnancy, your breasts may leak a little colostrum.

Making a baby registry

Our Registry Builder will help you keep all your baby registries organized, and there's only one link to send friends and family.

Baby development at 13 weeks

Your baby can pee!

Your baby has started swallowing amniotic fluid and excreting urine, recycling the full volume of fluid every few hours.

Making meconium

As your baby swallows amniotic fluid, they also produce meconium. This black, sticky substance accumulates in the bowels, and becomes your newborn's first poop.

Teeth and bones

Bones are beginning to harden in your baby's skeleton, especially longer bones and the skull. Your baby's teeth and bones are becoming denser.

Video

 
baby in amniotic fluid
Your baby at 13 weeks
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Your baby is about the size of a peapod

peapod illustration
length
2.64
inches
head to bottom
weight
2.58
ounces
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Pregnancy symptoms during week 13

Cramping

Occasional cramping during pregnancy is common. It could be caused by anything from gas and bloating to round ligament pain. Sometimes a little movement, a hot bath or shower, drinking more fluids, or lying down can do the trick to ease abdominal pain. But in some cases cramping can signal a problem. Call your doctor or midwife if your cramping doesn't go away after several minutes of rest, the cramping or pain is severe, you have pain or unusual sensitivity in your upper abdomen, or you have other symptoms such as fever or dizziness.

Returning appetite

If you've suffered from morning sickness and food aversions until now, you may get some welcome relief in the next few weeks as you enter the second trimester. As your appetite returns, food cravings may pop up. Some experts think that cravings for certain foods are linked to a woman's nutritional needs, but many think that pregnancy cravings can't be explained that easily.

Stuffy nose

Are you congested lately? Nearly one-third of pregnant women get a stuffy nose due to hormones and increased blood volume. However, if you have a fever, coughing, sore throat, or swollen glands, it's probably a cold or another infection. Find out which cold medicines are safe when you're expecting, and eat foods high in vitamin C to keep your immune system strong.

Visible veins

Because your body produces 30 to 50 percent more blood during pregnancy, your veins enlarge and are more visible. You may start seeing blue, prominent veins across your chest, breasts, and belly. You may also develop varicose veins in your legs and lower body as your uterus grows. Happily, these usually disappear or improve after you have your baby.

Vaginal discharge

It's totally normal to have more vaginal discharge during pregnancy: It's because of higher levels of estrogen. If your discharge is odorless or mild-smelling and milky white, there's no need for concern. But call your healthcare provider if you have discharge that's gray, yellow, or green; causes pain or itching; or seems unusual in any other way. This could be a sign of infection or another problem.

Heartburn

Hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy can lead to heartburn (also called acid indigestion or acid reflux). It's an unpleasant burning sensation between your lower throat and the bottom of your breast bone. If you're having heartburn, avoid spicy and acidic foods. Try eating smaller meals, eating slowly, and chewing gum after eating to neutralize your stomach acids. If that doesn't help, ask your provider about pregnancy-safe heartburn medicines.

Don't see your symptom?

Wondering about a symptom you have? Find it on our pregnancy symptoms page.

 
 
right now I consider a balanced diet, a cupcake in each hand
baby in womb at 13 weeks
Your body at 13 weeks
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Pregnancy checklist at 13 weeks pregnant

Get ready for more prenatal visits

During the second trimester, you'll typically see your doctor or midwife once every four weeks. Find out what will happen at second trimester prenatal appointments.

Stock up on healthy pregnancy foods

During pregnancy, good nutrition is more important than ever. But it can be hard to eat well when you're dealing with nausea, food aversions, heartburn, or indigestion. Do your best to incorporate these healthy pregnancy snacks and pregnancy superfoods into your diet. During pregnancy you need lots of protein and healthy fats, and more of certain vitamins and minerals (such as folic acid, iron, and calcium). See our list of the pregnancy nutrients you need.

Learn about pregnancy complications

It's good to know the signs of common pregnancy complications just in case. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these conditions (such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia) throughout your pregnancy. But it's helpful if you're aware of the warning signs of these and other complications.

Try sleeping on your side

Experts say the best pregnancy sleeping position is on your side, especially as you get closer to mid-pregnancy. Side-sleeping puts the least pressure on your veins and internal organs. This ensures the best blood flow to the uterus, which means your baby will get maximum nutrients and oxygen. Good circulation also helps you avoid swelling, varicose veins in your legs, and hemorrhoids. If side-sleeping isn't your thing, don't give up until you've tried a pregnancy pillow – the right one can make a major difference in your sleep comfort.

Have sex if you feel up to it

In most cases, sex during pregnancy is totally safe. Many women find their libido plummets in the first trimester thanks to exhaustion and nausea. But for many, sex drive returns in the second trimester. Some good news: Because of increased blood flow, sex during pregnancy may feel better than ever. And having sex during pregnancy won't hurt your baby. They're protected by your uterus and a layer of muscles, and are safely cushioned by the surrounding amniotic fluid. The mucus plug inside your cervix helps guard against infection.

Save money on maternity clothes

You may be excited about shopping for maternity clothes, or you may be dreading spending money on a new wardrobe you'll only wear for a limited time. Luckily, there are lots of options for finding affordable maternity clothes. You can search for used maternity clothes online or at secondhand and consignment shops. Clothing swap groups on social media (or in person) are another good way to find cute maternity clothes without breaking the bank.

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13 weeks pregnant bellies

You're one-third of the way (or more) through your pregnancy at the end of this week! Though pregnancy is different for everyone, you're probably happy to say goodbye to the first trimester and hello to the second. Now's the time when you may start getting more energy, feeling more like yourself, and looking more visibly pregnant. The top of your uterus is moving up and out of your pelvis, making your bump more noticeable to anyone who's looking closely.

13 weeks pregnant bellies
 

This week's video

Video

Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

ACOG. 2021. How your fetus grows during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancyOpens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

Cleveland Clinic. 2020. Fetal Development: Stages of Growth. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growthOpens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

Mayo Clinic. 2021. Fetal development: The 2nd trimester. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/fetal-development/art-20046151Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

MedlinePlus (ADAM). 2019. Fetal development. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htmOpens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

Hadlock FP et al. 1991. In utero analysis of fetal growth: A sonographic weight standard. Radiology 181 (1). https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiology.181.1.1887021Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

Hadlock FP et al. 1992. Fetal cross-rump length: Reevaluation of relation to menstrual age (5-18 weeks) with high-resolution real-time US. Radiology 182: 5-1-505. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1732970/Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

Vintzileos AM et al. 1984. The ultrasound femur length as a predictor of fetal length. Obstetrics & Gynecology 64(6): 779-82. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6390277/Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

Hadlock FP 1984. Estimating fetal age: Computer-assisted analysis of multiple fetal growth parameters. Radiology 152: 497-501. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6739822/Opens a new window [Accessed March 2022]

Marcella Gates

Marcella Gates is Director of Content Operations at BabyCenter, the world's number one digital parenting resource, and is an expert on pregnancy and parenting. As a mom of three, she loves that her professional life is focused on supporting and empowering parents and expecting parents. Gates lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

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