13th week of pregnancy
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Welcome to the 2nd trimester! Hard to believe that you are already one-third of the way through your pregnancy. In week 13 of pregnancy, your baby's senses are developing especially and becoming more complex. For you, uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms are gradually subsiding (or have already), and it's worth starting to think about the birth.
How big is your baby in the 13th week of pregnancy?
Your child is about 6 centimeters long this week, roughly the size of a apricot.
13th week of pregnancy: What is changing for you
With the 13th week of pregnancy, the 2nd trimester begins. You are probably breathing in
this week, because the first, critical trimester is over and the risk of miscarriage decreases significantly. Many women use this milestone to announce their pregnancy to their surroundings. You can't hide it for much longer anyway, that you will soon become a mom. ;) In the 13th week of pregnancy, a small baby bump is slowly but surely becoming visible. The reason for this is the uterus, which is getting larger and this week moves further up from the pelvis. You might even feel the growth as a slight pulling sensation in your lower abdomen now. A pleasant side effect: due to the upward movement, the uterus now presses less on your bladder and the constant urge to urinate stops (for now).
13th week of pregnancy: Development of your baby
The skeleton of your baby has so far consisted of rubbery cartilage tissue. In this and the following weeks, it will turn into increasingly solid bones. Your baby continues to move actively. In the 13th week of pregnancy, the grasp reflex also begins: it will, for example, grasp the , move it, and pull on it.
Its organs are already fully developed this week. However, it will still take some time before they are completely functional. In the meantime, they grow from week to week. The most important sense organ, the eyes, are already so well developed that your baby can distinguish between light and dark. It can't see much more in the womb because light from outside only reaches it dimly through the abdominal wall and appears reddish. Its hearing is already so well developed by the 13th week of pregnancy that your child can now perceive first sounds from outside. It is already getting used to your voice, but other voices it hears frequently also become familiar to it. Its vocal cords also begin to develop in the larynx this week.
Choosing the place of birth and clinic search
The birth of your child is still a while away. Nevertheless, it is worth (together with your partner) to start thinking about the suitable birth location now. As long as there are no medical reasons against it and you and your baby are healthy, you have the option to give birth in a hospital, birthing center, or at home. In a hospital, you need to register a few weeks before the birth – by the way, also in case of emergency, even if you prefer to give birth at a birthing center or in your own home. Maternity clinics and hospitals often differ greatly in size, equipment, and care, and popular clinics are often booked well in advance. Birthing centers also accept only a limited number of women to ensure intensive care for the women.
To prepare for a home birth, it is especially important to find a midwife who provides home visits and supports births at the women's homes – not all midwives offer this service. It is therefore worthwhile to consider early on which factors are most important to you for your ideal birth and which location would be best suited for it. More information about the advantages of different birthplaces and how to best approach your search can be found in the article "".
This is now important
Your nutritional needs are steadily increasing, and your calorie requirements are now elevated by about 250 kilocalories per day. You probably notice this through increased appetite or cravings . Trust that your body is telling you what it needs. Of course, you should still
pay attention to a varied and balanced diet.In comfortable, suitable clothing, you probably feel more at ease than in tight jeans. You don't need to buy special maternity clothes just yet, but investing in a well-fitting, non-restrictive bra is worthwhile. It doesn't have to be a nursing bra yet, as you'll probably need one or two cup sizes larger in a few weeks.
If you're considering a Babymoon in the second trimester of pregnancy or need to travel for work, you might now be wondering whether you can still safely get on a plane. In the article „ Tips for Flying During Pregnancy “, you'll find what you need to consider now.
Tip from LILLYDOO midwife Sissi Rasche:
Your increased nutrient needs also affect your . To give your body more time to filter important nutrients for your baby from food, it processes food more slowly in the gastrointestinal tract. The result can be bloating and constipation. A fiber-rich diet is now good for you and your gut flora. Swap out white flour for whole grain flour (especially rye, which is high in fiber) and avoid black tea and chocolate. My secret tip, in addition to a healthy diet and sufficient exercise: a warm glass of water in the morning and three tablespoons of flaxseeds once daily stirred into water, a smoothie, or muesli gently stimulate your digestion.
With our pregnancy calendar, we want to accompany you through this exciting time and provide you with relevant information, which also in exchange with our
LILLYDOO experts are being created. Nevertheless, the ones listed here can still
Never replace personal consultation with your doctor or midwife with advice. Always contact your healthcare professional for questions and professional care.