​​13 Weeks pregnant: Baby development, symptoms and signs

Your body at week 13

Your belly

At week 13, it is possible you are already seeing a small baby bump. You also might not see anything! Everyone is different, and everyone begins showing their pregnancy at different times. When you begin to show depends on a number of factors, like whether you have previously been pregnant, the position of the uterus in your body, the position of the placenta in your uterus, and your general body shape and composition. 

If you are not yet showing, try not to worry. In your prenatal visits and ultrasounds, your medical team is ensuring your baby is developing normally. If you have any concerns or questions, contact your nurse, midwife or doctor for advice.

Vaginal discharge

You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge as you start your second trimester. This is usually sticky, clear, or white, and is considered completely normal. This extra discharge is produced by your body to help fend off any infections that might travel from your vagina to your uterus [1].

If you notice your discharge has a strong smell or odd color, or if you experience bleeding of any kind, contact your healthcare provider.

Libido

If you are beginning to experience relief this week from first trimester pregnancy symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and morning sickness, you might notice the return of something else - your libido. 

Research has shown that the frequency of sexual intercourse during pregnancy tends to increase from the first to second trimesters [2]. Scientists have attributed this to a lessening of physical and emotional pregnancy symptoms. 

You might be wondering if sex is safe during pregnancy. Unless unadvised by your healcare proffesssional , sex during pregnancy is safe. Sex and intimacy can be a helpful way to reduce stress and anxiety and to help build close physical and emotional connections with a partner. You might find that certain preferences or desires change during pregnancy. Some positions might even become uncomfortable. 

Whether you are feeling in the mood, or not, it is important to communicate with your partner and let them know how you are feeling and what is comfortable for you.

Your baby’s development at 13 weeks

At 13 weeks, your baby’s working hard growing and developing [3]. Their head is still the largest part of their body, but their limbs will start catching up soon. Their bones are long and thin, but will start to harden and nails will begin to appear on their fingers and toes. Tooth buds, which will become their baby teeth, start to develop in their gums. Your baby can also clench their little hands into fists. 

Your baby is about the size of a lemon this week, weighing around 0.8 ounces (23 grams) and measuring approximately 2.9 inches (7.4 centimeters) long.

Pregnancy Symptoms in week 13

Morning sickness

From the end of the first trimester to the beginning of the second trimester, you might experience a decrease in morning sickness. Morning sickness refers to pregnancy-related nausea or vomiting. Despite the name, it can be experienced any time of day or night. For most of us, this unpleasant symptom peaks between pregnancy weeks 8-10 and tends to improve as we move into the second trimester. However, it is unfortunately also normal to continue to suffer from morning sickness well into the second trimester. 

Scientists have suggested that morning sickness is caused by a combination of factors: increases in pregnancy hormones, blood pressure fluctuations, and changes in your metabolism [4]. These changes are felt most severely in the first trimester. It can also be worse if you are having twins or triplets.

If you continue to suffer from morning sickness into your second trimester, there are medicines available that can help relieve your symptoms. As your healthcare provider if these or other treatments might be appropriate for you.

Round ligament pain

As pregnancy hormones continue to relax and loosen muscles and ligaments, it is normal to experience round ligament pain from the second trimester [5]. Your round ligaments are the two cords of tissue located on either side of your uterus and attach the uterus to the pelvis. As your baby grows, these tissue bands stretch and can cause spasms that can feel sharp or stabbing in your pelvis, lower abdomen, or groin. 

You might also experience this type of pain after certain sudden movements like sneezing, coughing, standing up quickly, laughing or rolling over in bed. It can help to maintain good posture, with your pelvis slightly tucked when sitting and standing. You can also try engaging your abdominals when sitting up or rolling over and bending your hips before sneezing, coughing or laughing.

Round ligament pain is normal and does not cause harm to your or your baby. However, if you experience severe abdominal pain, pain when you urinate, or any bleeding from your vagina, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Heartburn

Heartburn, along with indigestion, are common pregnancy symptoms that can begin at the second trimester. If you have never experienced heartburn before, it can come as quite a surprise! It can present as an unpleasant or even painful burning feeling in your chest caused by stomach acid rising from your stomach into your esophagus. You might also burp more or experience a sour taste in your mouth. Heartburn can be worse when lying down and bending over or after eating certain spicy, greasy, or fatty foods.

Although doctors aren’t sure exactly why heartburn tends to affect pregnant women, they believe it’s caused by hormones that relax and loosen muscles and ligaments in your body and slow the digestive tract [6]. Your growing baby can also push upward pressure from your uterus into your stomach.

If you are suffering from heartburn, there are some things you can do to help reduce or prevent symptoms. Try avoiding foods that trigger your heartburn (for many, that is fatty, greasy, or spicy food or foods that are highly acidic like citrus). You can also try eating smaller meals, more frequently, rather than large portions. Many antacids, available as chewable tablets or liquids, are safe to take during pregnancy, so check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Tips in week 13

• Continue taking vitamins and minerals as directed: during pregnancy, your body needs extra folic acid, iron, and calcium. Remember to keep taking them through the duration of your pregnancy, as directed by your doctor.
• Familiarize yourself with the common signs of pregnancy complications: gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are two conditions that your healthcare providers will be watching for throughout your pregnancy. It can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the early signs and symptoms of each.
• Sleeping on your side: during pregnancy it is recommended that you sleep on your side [7]. This puts the least pressure on your veins and organs and maximizes good circulation. If you are not used to sleeping on your side, it is good to start practicing now. Try using extra pillows or a pregnancy pillow to find a comfortable sleeping position.
• Getting back to exercise (if you feel up to it): first trimester pregnancy symptoms might have made exercise impossible to fathom. However, if you are feeling better and exercise is part of your normal lifestyle, you can try getting back to it this week. If you have a low-risk pregnancy (and your doctor has not advised against it), most exercise is considered safe during pregnancy. Avoid any activities with a risk of falling or impact.  Check out our tips for exercising during pregnancy to learn more. 

Following your pregnancy with Natural Cycles

You might be familiar with Natural Cycles as the first FDA Clearedapproved birth control app. But did you know that Natural Cycles can provide support throughout pregnancy? NC° Follow Pregnancy supports your entire journey from conception to birth. The app provides weekly guides and enables you to track your pregnancy systems to monitor your physical and mental health. It also offers important articles and reference guides about reproductive health. Why not see if Natural Cycles is right for you?