13 Weeks Pregnant: Week-by-Week Guide

13 weeks pregnant is which trimester? Second trimester

How many weeks of pregnancy are left? 27 weeks

How many months is 13 weeks pregnant? You’re in your third month. 

With week 12 of your pregnancy complete, you’re on week 13. Enjoy it, as week 14 is on the horizon! 

One of the most exciting things about pregnancy is how many changes you’ll experience with your little one over the span of just seven days! Here are some tips and tricks to keep on top of all that’s happening.

What’s happening in there

• The size of a 13-week fetus is equivalent to a lemon.
• You’re officially at the start of the second trimester.
• The countdown continues: You’ve got 27 weeks to go!

• Smiley or frowning: Your little one’s mouth muscles are slowly developing and, at week 13, can form a smile or frown. Your baby may also start to suck on their thumb as a form of self-soothing.
• There’s a lot of growing going on: Bone tissue is forming in their arms, legs, and around your little one’s head, along with functioning nerves, muscles, and organs.
• Warming up the pipes: Your baby’s vocal cords are developing and will be ready to make some noise before you know it. Speaking of noise, week 13 is when many parents-to-be typically start to share their good news with close friends and family members.
• The waiting game: Although your baby’s genitals are growing, they are still hard to discern on an ultrasound. You’ll have to hold out until sometime between weeks 18 and 23 to get the news you’ve been waiting for.
• The bump is growing: Now that your baby is moving up and out, so is your tummy. A small baby bump may become more noticeable.
• Left brain, meet right brain: Your baby’s corpus callosum began to develop last week, and it will continue to grow through the teenage years. This C-shaped structure communicates information between the left and right halves of the brain.

Your sweet baby is cozy in the womb, as your uterus is expanding up and out of your pelvis to accommodate the lemon-size 13-month fetus. You’re showing now! Have fun sharing your pregnancy news and getting some cute maternity clothes.

• Now that you can hear your baby’s heartbeat at prenatal visits and your belly is growing, you will start to feel a real connection with your little creation.
• You’re probably going to feel a little more energized. You’ve made it through the initial sickness and fatigue, so the second trimester rewards you with a bit of a pep in your step and a higher sex drive.

During week 13 of pregnancy, your body is changing quickly. As your baby grows, you will too, and there are certain pregnancy symptoms you may experience at this time.

1. This is a period of relative calm after what you’ve been through so far, but you may still experience symptoms.
2. You may notice some vaginal discharge called leukorrhea. It’s part of the body’s efforts to protect the birth canal and keep it free of infection. The milky discharge is a byproduct of estrogen production.
3. There’s every chance you may still get a combination of indigestion, constipation, or heartburn, so be wary of the foods and drinks that cause these discomforts.
4. Good news, you may have an appetite for sex again.
5. You may feel pain around your hip or groin area. This is called round ligament pain, caused by your growing belly stretching your ligaments. 
6. Vaginal discharge will continue throughout your pregnancy.
7. You may develop chloasma, brownish blotches on your face and neck, commonly called the “mask of pregnancy.” These blotches typically fade after giving birth. 

Being 13 weeks pregnant is an important time for you and your baby. Here are some tips on how to adjust to this new stage to keep you and your baby safe.

• Eating for two?: The whole “eating for two” thing hasn’t quite started yet. You only need an extra 300 calories a day to support your baby’s development, so indulge those prenatal cravings in moderation. Most of those calories should be coming from healthy, whole foods, including sources of the healthy fat DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which is essential for your baby’s brain and eye development.
• Feeling under the weather: Sniffles and congestion when you're pregnant may just be a symptom, not a cold or virus. Try natural solutions to ease your pregnancy-related congestion.

Knowing what to do week-by-week can help you feel prepared and alleviate stress. Add these new items to your to-do list this week. You’ve got this, mama!