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Pregnancy Pregnancy By Week

Your Baby is the size of a

Peach

There’s a chance you could feel your baby this week, especially if this isn’t your first pregnancy. The second trimester is known for being more comfortable and easier than any trimester, so enjoy the boost in energy and use it to your advantage. Your little one’s teeth are finally in place under their gums, their pancreas is secreting insulin, and vocal cords are beginning to develop. It’s a big week for both of you!

Week 13

Length : 7.4 cm

Weight : 23 g

Week 13
Length : 7.4 cm
Weight : 23 g

Your Baby is the size of a

Peach

There’s a chance you could feel your baby this week, especially if this isn’t your first pregnancy. The second trimester is known for being more comfortable and easier than any trimester, so enjoy the boost in energy and use it to your advantage. Your little one’s teeth are finally in place under their gums, their pancreas is secreting insulin, and vocal cords are beginning to develop. It’s a big week for both of you!

Your little one's body is beginning to catch up with the size of their head, which now only accounts for one-third of their total size instead of half. Their teeth are in place under their gums, waiting to come out during teething, which starts as early as three months or as late as twelve months after birth. (Fun Fact: Some babies have one or two teeth showing when they are born!)

Your baby's skin is still paper-thin and transparent, which means that, for now, the veins and organs are still visible. Their intestines are forming villi, which aid in peristaltic movement and digestion. Your baby's pancreas is secreting insulin, unique fingerprints are forming, and vocal cords are beginning to develop. If you have a girl, she will already have more than two million eggs in her ovaries by week 13.

You've made it to your second trimester! Are you feeling any better? If not, you should be soon. The second trimester is known for being more comfortable and easier than any other trimester. It's the "honeymoon period" of pregnancy for many expecting parents, who say they have more energy and less nausea and fatigue.

Are you feeling some pain along the side of your abdomen? This round ligament pain is due to your expanding uterus. It may feel like mild discomfort and cramping, and it may feel like a short stabbing pain. Consider it a little reminder from your body telling you to slow down. It usually occurs when you shift positions quickly, and it subsides within a few minutes. If any pain you experience concerns you or is accompanied by bleeding, vomiting, or cramping, contact your doctor or midwife immediately.

Even though your belly continues growing, you may not need maternity clothing yet. This is normal. It's also expected to discover visible, small bumps on your breasts. These small bumps were always there. They just become more noticeable during pregnancy. They're an oil-producing gland called Montgomery tubercles, helping your body prepare for nursing.

Did you know there's a chance you could feel your baby this week? Everyone feels those special flutters in their own time, but some feel them as early as 13 to 16 weeks!

By week 13, your libido may be lifting a little. So, with the first trimester behind you, it's time to celebrate! Find a unique way to do something special for yourself. Thanks to hormonal changes and decreased symptoms, like fatigue and morning sickness, you've probably got that lovin' feelin' back. Maybe some new lingerie for your increasing cup size is just what the doctor (or midwife) ordered!

If you're pregnant with twins, there's a chance your morning sickness and exhaustion will stick around for a while longer. For expectant moms carrying only one baby and experiencing a decrease in many of those first trimester symptoms, here's a list of some symptoms you can look forward to this week.

Increased energy: a most welcome symptom– the second trimester is known for providing a “boost” of increased energy. This is most likely due to the fact that nausea is decreasing and the placenta is taking over a lot of the heavy lifting for processing nutrients for your growing baby. Enjoy the surge of energy and take advantage of it to do some nesting or fun things you may have to take a break from once the baby arrives. 

Increased mood: it’s amazing how much better you feel when your face isn’t stuck in a toilet bowl. Lessened morning sickness and increased energy will likely result in an increased mood. 

Increased sex drive: pregnancy can have a direct effect on libido in both directions. If you are experiencing a heightened sex drive, this may be in response to increased blood flow causing heightened sensitivity, paired with a boost of energy and positive mood. Communicate with your partner so they can be supportive and enjoy!

Visible veins: increased blood flow may result in more pronounced veins. Some individuals will even experience what are known as varicose or spider veins, which may be unsightly, itchy, or even painful. Changing positions frequently, avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time, and not crossing your legs may all help avoid the formation of varicose veins. 

Round ligament pain: As your uterus begins to stretch to accommodate your growing baby, surrounding ligaments will also stretch. This may result in short, sharp pain. Rest is the best solution for round ligament pain, but talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing continuous pain that is not stopping.

Nausea: While morning sickness may be fading, nausea could continue to linger– rearing its ugly head from time to time in response to triggers such as foul odors, hunger, or sometimes… no known reason at all. 

Heartburn and/or indigestion: Increased levels of progesterone cause your digestive system to slow down so nutrients can be more easily absorbed, but this can result in digestive discomfort including heartburn and indigestion. Talk to your medical care provider about options for relief if you’re feeling too uncomfortable.

If you've put off telling others about your good news, now is a great time. Sharing is caring! Encourage your partner and other family members to get involved, but not beyond what you are comfortable with.

Considering Finances


Develop a working budget, one that includes the costs associated with your new little addition. Of course, your budget will be influenced by your individual situation, such as your income and expenses, two incomes versus only one, and all other factors that come into play. Some costs to consider when determining your budget include health care (including hospital charges, doctor visits, prescriptions, and insurance costs), food (including breastfeeding necessities, formula and bottles, and baby food), and diapers. Your insurance will determine how much you pay for your prenatal care and delivery. Special circumstances, like bed rest, multiple births, or a NICU stay, may influence these costs. Talk with your insurance company to learn your individual co-pays and deductibles.

After childbirth, your new, little baby will see their pediatrician at least seven times during the first year for well-child visits. If you decide to nurse, you may want to rent or buy a breast pump. In many cases, insurance covers these as well and they are handy to have, especially if you are returning to work. If you decide to formula feed, you'll be buying formula regularly. If your new, little baby suffers from acid reflux, allergies, or other special needs, they may require a special formula, which can cost significantly more.

To determine estimated costs for diapers, remember the average newborn goes through ten to twelve diaper changes a day. Of course, there are other costs to be considered, but these are the major players. To prepare, save when you can and practice for maternity leave by living on one salary and set any extra earnings aside. Some find that cloth diapers are the way to go, they may be a bit more work, but the amount of savings in the long run is pretty incredible.

Enjoy your sex drive. The spike in your libido can provide health benefits to you and your little one, such as helping to improve your sleep and mood and speeding up your postpartum recovery with tighter pelvic floor muscles. However, you may need to go without acting on that loving feeling if you have a history of early labor or miscarriage. Talk to your midwife or doctor to determine what’s best for you.

At a Glance

  • Second trimester: Week thirteen marks the official start of the second trimester which is an exciting milestone!
  • Decreased risks: After the first trimester the risk of miscarriage drastically drops.
  • Increased energy: You may begin to notice negative symptoms like nausea and fatigue beginning to fade, being replaced with a “boost” of energy.
  • Oh poop: Your baby’s digestive system is practicing by creating meconium, a black sticky substance that will form their first bowel movement.
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Ildiko Kaszas

Registered Midwife

Ildiko was born in Budapest, Hungary, and raised in the United States and Canada. As an immigrant herself, Ildiko is passionate about improving access to high-quality, evidence-based perinatal care and education to all newcomers, refugees and families of any background and makeup.

Since graduating as a Registered Midwife in 2017, Ildiko spends most of her time catching babies in a large urban setting and training the next generation of midwives as an active preceptor and childbirth education instructor.

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Pregnancy Chalkboard Timeline
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The Honest Company® 32 oz. Me Moment Soaking Salts
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Expecting You - A Keepsake Pregnancy Journal
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The information on the Your Baby Club website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always discuss any health concerns with a qualified healthcare provider and carefully review all guidance that comes with any medications or supplements before taking.