13 Weeks Pregnant

Do you still have a waist? Not for long! Learn what's going on with you and your baby-to-be while 13 weeks pregnant.

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Read about...

• Your Baby
• You
• 4th Month of Pregnancy Video
• Diary of a Daughter

Your Baby

Welcome to the last week of the first trimester. Now you are 1/3 through your pregnancy. The new addition to your family is almost 3 inches in length and weighs about 0.7 of an ounce. It is comparable to a small shrimp, but looks almost like a miniature version of the baby you will soon hold in your arms. How exciting to have your little one take on more human characteristics.

Small details such as the fingernails have already finished but the fingerprints are now developing. Fine hairs are growing on your baby's body and even eyebrows are growing. Although your little one's head is still comparatively larger to the rest of the body, it will even out and catch up over the next few months.

The intestines are now moving further into the body while the pancreas is producing insulin that is necessary for regulating sugar levels in the body later on in life.

The placenta that is entirely functional now supplies the baby with oxygen, vitamins, minerals fats and proteins. Removed carbon dioxide and waste materials are filtered through the placental tissues. The placenta is still quite large in size compared to your baby and allows everything that the mother experiences to be for the baby as well. At least the good parts. The placenta is very effective in protecting the baby from immune attacks and some harmful substances (but not all, like alcohol for example.)

You

Reaching the end of the 1st trimester is a turning point for many women. The 2nd trimester is sometimes referred to as the "honeymoon stage" since many symptoms from the pregnancy will ease up, energy levels return, along with libido for some women.

Some mothers-to-be will find themselves glowing due to the increase in circulation of their body that gives them that attractive pregnancy look. You may start experiencing some muscle aching or cramping due to your abdominal muscles stretching in order to prepare your body for your growing baby. This is referred to as round ligament pain.

This can be anywhere from a dull ache in your abdomen to sharp but brief pain and can be relieved by taking it easy and making sure to change your positions when sitting or sleeping.

Although your "baby belly" isn't that large and getting in the way yet, soon you will be able to see exactly how much the muscles can stretch to accommodate your growing baby.

If you still have a waist, it will soon be gone. Very soon you will not fit into anything but your new, sassy maternity clothes...

For some women, their breasts begin to produce colostrum, which is the nutrient-rich fluid that will feed your baby in the first few days after birth before your regular breast milk is produced.

You may still feel some discomfort in your breasts, and even lumpiness from the developing mammary glands, but that will subside periodically as well.

You may find an increase in heartburn due to the stomach acids travelling back up your food pipe. Help alleviate these symptoms by eating smaller, more frequent meals that include a balanced diet rather than greasy, fried foods.

4th Month of Pregnancy Video

Instructions: When watching the video clips, start the videos by clicking the small arrow down to the left, not the large one in the middle of the screen. If you're using Internet Explorer as your browser and the video doesn't start, try clicking twice on the small arrow.

Diary of a Daughter

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