13 Weeks Pregnant
Pregnancy Week 13  & Stage of Fetal Development

This is the beginning of pregnancy week 13. You will be a complete 13 weeks pregnant at the end of this week (see pregnancy chart).

Ah, the last week of the first trimester. Or the last week of the third month, whichever you prefer. This is when a lot of pregnant women can breathe easier.

Not only are you past the critical stage of pregnancy where potential dangers or risks to the fetus most common during the stage of pregnancy when the fetal organs are being formed, you will likely feel less of the most common early pregnancy symptoms. Symptoms like nausea/vomiting, extreme exhaustion, and frequent urination are starting to subside if they haven't already.

At the beginning of pregnancy week 13, the risk of miscarriage drops to less than 1%. Most pregnancy losses occur during the first 8-10 weeks. So now you can relax and enjoy your pregnancy.

What happens at 13 weeks pregnant

During pregnancy week 13, as your body is finally getting used to the extra influx of hormones, you may feel a renewed sense of vitality and energy. You may start to feel more like your old self again.

Are you feeling breathless, yet? It's another new pregnancy symptom lot of pregnant women feel around the 13th week of pregnancy. Your body is working harder even at rest than it was before you got pregnant during light exercise. So even light activity now can cause breathlessness.

Your organs now require more oxygen to do the extra work it does to support your growing baby. And your uterus, the placenta, and baby also need lots of oxygen. Oxygen requirements increase by about 15-20% during pregnancy.

Your lungs have adapted to increase the amount of oxygen intake which can cause hyperventilation or over-breathing to make sure you and your baby get all the oxygen it needs which causes the feeling of breathlessness especially during exercise (or even just going up a few steps).

You may still feel bouts of tiredness, but nothing near the extreme exhaustion of the previous weeks.

In the first 12-13 weeks, your breasts grow the most in size due to extra hormones to prepare for breastfeeding and now will begin to slow down. You shouldn't have much more growth from now to the last few weeks of your pregnancy just before delivery.

What can you do at 13 weeks pregnant

Now that breast growth has slowed considerably, it's time to find good fitting pregnancy bras.  These will help with back aches and how your breasts will look post pregnancy.

Have you signed up for childbirth classes yet? Even though you won't attend prenatal classes until your 6th or 7th month, it's a good idea to start figuring that out now as classes usually fill up quickly.

A good prenatal class will teach you the stages of labor and what to expect and what choices you have. You'll learn how to breathe, and what types of pain control is available as well as natural pain relief techniques. It's a good idea to attend even if this is not your first pregnancy.

Fetal Development at 13 weeks pregnant
Fetal age: 11 weeks

Your baby is now beginning to grow at a faster pace. By the end of week 13, she will be about 3 inches (7.8cm) long, and weigh about ¾ ounce (20g).

At this point, your baby’s head is still out of proportion to the rest of her body with the head measuring about ½ her length. This week her head growth slows down as her body growth speeds up.

Your little one is beginning to look more human this week. Her eyes move closer together and her ears move to the sides of her head. Tooth buds are forming the beginnings of teeth.

During week 13, your baby is preparing for her first breath outside of the womb by making breathing-like movements and swallowing amniotic fluid.

All of her organs are fully formed and will continue to develop, including the sex organs; internally and externally. In boys, the testicles already contain sperm. In girls, the ovaries contain egg cells (ova). The next generation already contains the possibility of the future generation. Amazing!

You are now 13 weeks pregnant. Only 27 weeks to go!!

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