With the start of week 13, the second trimester of your pregnancy begins. Your baby has developed rapidly over the last few weeks and your body has now adjusted to the pregnancy. Many women can now enjoy this special time lightheartedly, as the risk of miscarriage drops to below one percent.
In our pregnancy calendar, we summarize for you how your baby develops in the 13th week of pregnancy and how big or heavy it currently is. You will also find out how your body is changing and which symptoms may occur now. We also give you some tips on when and how you can inform your family and friends about the pregnancy.
Development of your baby in week 13
You have certainly followed the development of your baby closely over the last few weeks. Now the second trimester begins for you, in which your baby goes through further developmental steps. The focus is particularly on growth, and your baby will quickly gain size and weight in the coming weeks.
In the 13th week of your pregnancy, your baby goes through numerous developmental steps:
More organs are working
This week, your baby's kidneys start to work and excrete urine. The pancreas begins to produce insulin.
The intestinal system shifts
Part of your baby's intestinal system was previously located in the placenta. This is now shifting into your baby's abdomen.
Gender-specific organs develop
Your baby's gender is already determined at fertilization. In week 13, the gender-specific organs continue to develop. With a bit of luck, an ultrasound can already reveal whether you are having a boy or a girl.
The face continues to take shape
Your baby's face continues to grow this week. In the process, the genetically specific features that your baby receives from you and its father develop.
The baby turns towards the abdominal wall
Your baby is increasingly turning towards the abdominal wall. It already senses what is going on outside and even reacts to acoustic stimuli. Many expectant mothers therefore like to place their hands on their belly to feel an even deeper connection to their baby.
Your baby is also developing rapidly in week 13 and continues to move a lot in the womb. However, you will not yet feel its gymnastics. Many pregnant women only perceive fetal movements from the 20th week of pregnancy onwards.
In the past few weeks, your baby has already learned to move its fingers and has developed a sucking reflex. Even now, it sucks its thumb in your belly so that it can suck firmly on your breast after birth.
How big your baby is in the 13th week of pregnancy
Your baby is currently in the middle of a phase of intensive growth. In the 13th week of pregnancy, it is about 6 to 9 cm tall. Since every baby has its own growth rhythm, different values are given. Your baby is now about the size of a large plum or a kiwi.
Its weight is 14 to 20 g. This means your baby has also gained a fair amount of weight in recent weeks. In the second trimester of your pregnancy, your baby will continue to grow in leaps and bounds. Your baby bump will then no longer be overlooked.
If you want to start the first preparations for your baby now, then take a look at the automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. The sleep aid rocks your baby to sleep with gentle up and down movements and ensures a lot of relaxation for parents and babies.
Can I inform my family about the pregnancy now?
Until now, you have probably kept your pregnancy a secret. Together with your partner, you have followed the growth of your unborn baby in secret over the last few weeks. With the end of the first trimester, your pregnancy has stabilized. The risk of miscarriage is below one percent from the 13th week of pregnancy.
Now is the right time to inform your family and friends and share the joyful news with them. Talk to your partner beforehand about who you want to tell about the pregnancy first. There are now many creative ideas and gifts you can use to deliver the happy news to the expectant grandparents.
What happens in your body when you are 13 weeks pregnant
As your baby grows, your body also changes in week 13 and the first weight gain occurs. Slowly, your belly and waist are also growing: your pants might already no longer fit or feel tight around your belly. Make sure your pants don't press on your belly – buy maternity pants if that is already the case.
For many expectant mothers, the 13th week of pregnancy is associated with numerous thoughts. You are thinking intensively about your pregnancy and your growing baby.
Many people will probably be happy for you and congratulate you effusively. Others may react more cautiously and matter-of-factly. All these impressions are now hitting you. Therefore, take regular breaks and take enough time to look after yourself and the growing baby in your belly. Your well-being is the top priority.
If you want to give your baby a special sense of security even after birth, then take a look at our automatic baby hammock. Your baby lies in it closely embraced in a hammock – just like in the womb. The automatic baby hammock helps your baby to fall asleep better.
These symptoms are typical in the 13th week of pregnancy
Your pregnancy symptoms have probably changed in the last few weeks. Severe fatigue and nausea should slowly disappear. The pulling sensation in the lower abdomen also usually subsides in the 13th week of pregnancy. Instead, other symptoms become noticeable:
Changed sense of smell and taste
In the second trimester, the sense of smell and taste changes for many women. Foods and smells that you liked before may now not appeal to you at all.
Tender breasts
Many women still feel a pulling or tension in their breasts in the second trimester.
Leg cramps
Many pregnant women suffer from leg cramps, which occur mainly at night.
Slight ligament pain
Your uterus is growing fast. This can lead to sharp pains in the pelvis or groin.
Dizziness
Most women struggle with dizziness from time to time during their pregnancy.
For many expectant mothers, the second trimester marks the most beautiful time of pregnancy. You should be feeling significantly better by now and be able to enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest.
Innovative automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep: Gentle sleep aid for your baby
Your baby is growing in rapid steps and you are certainly busy with the first preparations. Feel free to take a look at the innovative automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep. It offers your baby a gentle sleep aid.
Your baby feels particularly secure in its hammock and can fall asleep better when closely embraced. This reduces the stress level for you and your baby.
The automatic baby hammock from swing2sleep is recommended by midwives and osteopaths thanks to its unique design. Feel free to check out our heia automatic baby hammock and our smarla automatic baby hammock and offer your baby a secure place to sleep.
