13 obstetric week. Kidneys and endocrine system. Discharge from the genital tract
The first trimester of your pregnancy is coming to an end, behind anxiety and dangerous periods. You have probably already been registered in the antenatal clinic, passed the necessary tests. Toxicosis has become much less pronounced, and, perhaps, completely gone. Gradually, hormonal balance is established, you become calmer, more balanced.
After the end of toxicosis, your appetite has improved significantly, and now is the time to draw up an optimal diet so that the baby receives all the necessary substances, and you do not gain excess weight.
Your tummy is still invisible, but you already need to remember that tight clothes can squeeze it and interfere with the baby. Therefore, trousers with a narrow belt should already be abandoned.
How many months have passed? Week 13 is the first week of the fourth obstetric month of pregnancy, or the last week of the first trimester. You have crossed the barrier, and basically all the baby's organs are formed. At the 13th week of pregnancy, the weight of the baby is about 15-20 grams, and its height is 6.5-8 cm.
What's happening?
The size of the uterus has already increased so much that its upper pole is clearly palpable above the pubic bones. If you lie on your back, you can easily feel it in the form of a rounded formation. The baby is about the size of a peach now. The formation of the placenta continues. Sometimes, after long walks, you may feel unusual fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in your legs. Try to dose physical activity, but also not be too passive.
Fetal development at 13 weeks gestation
Your baby is developing incredibly actively now. Despite the fact that he is still so small, his milk teeth are already being laid, the bone skeleton is actively forming, and mommy definitely needs to include additional calcium in her diet.
The gestation period of 12-13 weeks is the period when the baby's pancreas begins to produce insulin, the most important hormone that regulates glucose metabolism. Other endocrine glands are also formed.
The baby grows every day. His body still looks disproportionate, because the head is much larger than the body. But even now the rate of increase in the head is not as much higher than the growth of the body as before. Your baby is already actively moving, despite the fact that you still do not feel the movement. Muscle tissue is being formed in him, and active movements are necessary to strengthen it. While the movements are rather chaotic, however, the baby may well move in the uterus, swim up to its walls. The periods of sleep and wakefulness change quickly, and only during sleep does the baby rest and gain strength.
The development of the gastrointestinal tract is progressing: at this stage of pregnancy, villi of the mucous membrane are laid - the most important elements of digestion. The baby's intestines are completely sterile throughout pregnancy, and only after the first attachment to the breast will he receive beneficial bacteria that will colonize the intestines and promote digestion and absorption of nutrients.
By the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, the baby develops facial muscles, a sucking reflex is formed. Already now he knows how to move his lips. The formation of the face continues: the eyes gradually move from the sides of the head to the center, and the ears move from the neck.
The baby's brain is improving. Now there are no convolutions on its surface yet, but the places of their formation are already being laid - small grooves.
At this stage, the eggs are laid in the girls. Now there are several million of them, by birth this number will decrease.
The baby's skin is still very thin, pink, blood vessels are clearly visible through it. Subcutaneous adipose tissue is not yet accumulated. Only in the third trimester will the active accumulation of adipose tissue begin.
At the 13-14th week of pregnancy, sound-reproducing structures are laid, the vocal cords are practically formed.
Photo of the baby at the 13th week, ultrasound
Mom's Feelings
Future mothers at this time notice a significant improvement in well-being and mood. Firstly, the toxicosis of the first trimester has already passed, and if some of its manifestations remain, then they no longer cause such discomfort as before. Improved appetite, and you can treat yourself to culinary explorations. Make sure they are helpful.
Usually, a screening ultrasound has already been performed by this time, and you know that everything is in order with the baby. And this is the most important thing for every woman. In the early stages, most mothers do not share the peculiarities of their situation with others, but now your condition is becoming more and more noticeable. The tummy at the 13th week of pregnancy is still invisible, but a change in gait, sometimes facial features, a change of clothes to a looser one, your high spirits, the rejection of heels becomes clear to many.
You may already notice that age spots appear on the face. Do not worry - after pregnancy, they very quickly pass without a trace. Also typical is the darkening of the strip from the navel to the pubic bones, areolas on the mammary glands, and the genital area. Such changes are associated with changes in the synthesis of pituitary hormones.
You listen more and more to your well-being, your connection with the baby is becoming closer. At this time, emotions are already forming in children, and it is very important that mommy talks more with the baby, strokes her tummy, which is even starting to round up.
Already at this time, your mammary glands are preparing to feed the baby, and you may notice how they have increased. Now you need to wear comfortable underwear without a frame that does not squeeze the chest and does not interfere with blood circulation. Very comfortable special underwear for pregnant and nursing mothers.
If your health allows, sign up for sports classes for pregnant women. You need to maintain a sufficient level of physical fitness in order to be in shape for childbirth, recover well, and avoid unpleasant complications. Try to also walk a lot in the fresh air, and if your friends invite you to nature outside the city, do not refuse!
If pregnant with twins
Multiple pregnancy at this time may still be no different. If you have pumped up abdominal muscles, then the tummy may still be invisible, although it will round out very soon. Mom, expecting twins, should also strictly monitor nutrition, have enough rest, walk. Enjoy this easy period of pregnancy, because very soon you will fully feel the double burden. Your tummy will grow faster than moms carrying one baby, the load on your back will be felt. Start wearing a support bandage in time - this will help relieve pain in the back, pressure on the bladder.
Pain and discharge in the 13th week of pregnancy
The end of the first trimester of pregnancy is defined by most mothers as an easy and pleasant period, not overshadowed by painful sensations. At this stage of pregnancy, any pain should alert the expectant mother.
The uterus is not yet large enough to cause pain due to compression of adjacent organs. Sometimes you may experience pulling pain in the lower abdomen. Lie down for a while, rest, and if the sensations do not go away, be sure to consult a doctor. At this time, increased uterine tone is quite common.
Normal during the period of bearing a baby is a short-term increase in the tone of the uterus. However, constant hypertension is dangerous for the baby. If you are experiencing symptoms that resemble period pain, see your doctor. You will be given appropriate treatment to help prolong your pregnancy and prevent miscarriage at 13 weeks pregnant.
Proper Diet
The manifestations of toxicosis have already noticeably decreased, your appetite has improved, and despite the fact that you want to eat a lot and not always the most healthy, you need to control your nutrition very carefully. First of all, you need to create a diet so that the baby receives all the nutrients he needs, while so that you do not gain excess weight. In fact, everything is very simple. You need to remove “unnecessary” foods from the menu as much as possible: those that contain light carbohydrates and at the same time have a minimum nutritional value. Eliminate or limit white bread as much as possible, replace it with whole grains. Remove pasta from your diet, preferably potatoes. Side dishes familiar to many should be replaced with more healthy cereals, vegetable dishes.
Your diet should be rich in protein products, because it is the amino acids that make up proteins that are the basis for building all the cells of the body. The source of protein is not only meat (and now you should give preference to dietary meat - poultry, rabbit, veal). Protein is found in large quantities in dairy products, especially in cottage cheese, in combination with valuable trace elements and vitamins.
Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. Basically, they occur from the second trimester, when the uterus squeezes the intestines. But it is advisable to start their prevention now. Make it a rule to start your breakfast with a glass of kefir with prunes. This simplest method is neglected by many, but it really improves the condition of the intestines significantly. Your diet should include foods such as dried apricots, bananas, kiwi, bran. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Necessary examinations and examinations
Usually, at this stage of pregnancy, a woman is already registered in the antenatal clinic, and now you need to visit a doctor once a month. At this time, an ultrasound may be performed. The first screening ultrasound examination should be carried out at 11-13 weeks of gestation, the optimal period is 12 weeks. Ultrasound at 13 weeks of pregnancy is performed to exclude gross malformations, chromosomal pathology. At this time, it is still possible to conduct a genetic study. In case of detection of severe pathology, termination of pregnancy is possible.
The second reason that ultrasound is optimally performed at this time is the fact that now, with an ultrasound examination, a specialist will determine the gestational age of the fetus with an accuracy of 2 days. In some difficult situations, obstetricians rely on this age. After all, there are situations when the mother cannot give the exact date of the last menstruation, for example, in the case of certain diseases, or if there was spotting in the early stages of pregnancy.
The study at this time is carried out by a vaginal sensor. On the monitor, you can already see your baby, distinguish where his head, body, arms and legs are, the doctor will show you how his heart beats. But the sex at 13 weeks of pregnancy cannot yet be determined with 100 percent accuracy. The reproductive organs are still being formed. But on the second ultrasound, they will already tell you exactly who you are waiting for - a boy or a girl.
Useful video
Questions - answers
What does brown discharge mean at 13 weeks of pregnancy?
This is an alarming symptom that indicates the threat of termination of pregnancy. The brown color of the discharge is due to blood leakage, and if such a symptom is detected, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help for a treatment that will prevent abortion.
At 13 weeks pregnant, my stomach hurts - not too much, but periodically after a load there is a feeling that the uterus is very tense. This is not dangerous?
The sensations described by you are characteristic of the raised tone of a myometrium. This may be normal if such sensations are not too intense and pass quickly when you lie down and rest. However, to exclude the threat of termination of pregnancy, it is better for you to be examined.
I had unpleasant pulling sensations in the lumbar region, a temperature at the 13th week of pregnancy. What does it mean?
Such symptoms are characteristic of pyelonephritis. This disease very often occurs in pregnant women, since immunity is somewhat reduced, and the risk of bacterial inflammation is high. You should definitely consult a doctor, as pyelonephritis requires timely adequate antibiotic therapy.
I have a very sore lower back after a load at 13 weeks pregnant. This is the second pregnancy, and the first also had pain, but closer to the middle of pregnancy. How can pain be relieved? Can I take painkillers?
Pain in the lumbar region during pregnancy is not always associated with a load on the back. This may be a symptom of an inflammatory process in the kidneys, so you need to see a doctor to rule out such a pathology. Pain can be a symptom of inflammation of the nerve roots, and in this case, special treatment is also indispensable. And you can’t take painkillers on your own - only those that the doctor prescribes are safe for the baby. If such causes of pain are excluded, you need to try to rest more. However, it is absolutely impossible to lie down all day. Go to gymnastics for pregnant women - you will be shown special stretching exercises, strengthening the back muscles, which you will need to do regularly. A light massage also helps. You can ask relatives to massage daily or sign up for a massage course at the clinic.
The 13th week of pregnancy is most often the beginning of a calmer time. Even the most severe toxicosis passes or has already stopped. You probably have time to take care of yourself. For example, update your wardrobe, because your waist is rounded, and your tummy has grown along with the baby.
Deadline calculations:
The thirteenth obstetric week is equal to the eleventh from conception. In order not to get confused, check out the methods for calculating the gestational age.
Feelings and well-being
Many mothers at the thirteenth week feel that they literally come to life. All unpleasant sensations gradually pass:
- the intensity of nausea decreases;
- practically stops vomiting;
- irritability is replaced by a feeling of peace and joy;
- more strength;
- drowsiness subsides.
In rare cases, toxicosis has not yet passed. If so, continue to fight him (how - see).
At the end of the first trimester, many women especially suffer from flatulence and constipation. The grown uterus seems to “press down” the intestines and reduces its muscle contractions (peristalsis).
What happens to the figure of mom
It is at the 13th week that many women notice how much their stomach has rounded. It seems that nothing is noticeable from the outside, but only if the clothes are loose-fitting. Now even loose jeans can be uncomfortable in the waist. So, it's time to go to the store for special trousers for pregnant women. They are very comfortable and adjustable at the waist - you can wear them for several weeks or even months. Depends on your figure in the next two trimesters.
Photos of tummies:
If twins or even triplets grow up under the mother’s heart, the pregnancy can no longer be hidden, except perhaps under outerwear. Get ready for the curious looks of others and do not be embarrassed.
The chest can still grow a little. As soon as the bra becomes tight, pick up a new one. Stock up on bra pads if you already have colostrum.
It is important. You can not walk in tight, crushing clothes. There may be suffocation and even fainting..
Complications of pregnancy
The uterus of a pregnant woman is constantly growing. At the same time, the internal organs are moved apart, the nearest ligaments and muscles are under load. Because of this, heartburn occurs, and the stomach hurts at times. The sensations should be tolerable and cause only slight inconvenience.
Any severe, unpleasant pain in the abdomen, side or lower back is an alarming symptom, a doctor is urgently needed. Especially if during pain there is a feeling of strong tension in the entire abdomen.
Moms take note!
Hello girls) I didn’t think that the problem of stretch marks would affect me, but I’ll write about it))) But I have nowhere to go, so I’m writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method helps you too ...
Watch for vaginal discharge. The norm is white or clear mucus, without a strong odor and in small quantities. Everything else (brown, yellow, reddish discharge) is already talking about some kind of disease or the threat of miscarriage.
Infections, unhealthy diet, unhealthy lifestyle can cause miscarriage. This is the death of the fetus and a serious threat to the health of the woman. Only doctors in a hospital can cope with this condition.
With a lack of potassium and calcium in the blood, pain and cramps in the legs may appear.
Medical control
Surely you are already registered in the antenatal clinic. Then you already have a plan for examination and testing. Visit the necessary doctors regularly. When donating blood, be sure to follow the preparation conditions, otherwise the result may be incorrect.
If you have not yet had your first scheduled ultrasound, you will be assigned one. You will be able to look at your baby, but it is unlikely that you will know the sex of the child.
Ultrasound photo:
If you have any serious illness that is treated with antibiotics, your doctor may prescribe them. The placenta is so developed that it will protect the baby from the side effects of this group of drugs.
How does the baby grow
The size of the fetus at the thirteenth week will reach 65-78 mm, weight - 14-20 grams.
The baby grows and develops very quickly:
- the heart makes 140-170 beats per minute, for the fetus this is a normal rhythm;
- there are more and more individual features in the face;
- facial expressions develop, the baby learns to smack his lips;
- in the tiny gums, the rudiments of twenty milk teeth “hide”, which will gradually erupt over the course of two years after childbirth;
- the brain is actively developing and "commands" the reflex movements of the fetus;
- the pancreas begins to produce insulin, and the gallbladder produces bile;
- the vocal cords continue to develop;
- bone tissue is strengthened, especially on the ribs;
- the growth of the head slows down a little (now it occupies almost half the length of the body);
- the body begins to grow a little faster;
- the placenta reaches a thickness of about one and a half centimeters;
- the eyelids remain tightly closed;
- due to the development of the cervical muscles, the chin of the fetus is no longer pressed against the chest;
- the skin develops, but remains very thin, it is permeated with blood vessels;
- the chest rises and falls, as if the baby is breathing, but this is also a reflex (oxygen enters through the blood);
- special digestive villi are formed in the intestines;
- boys develop a prostate gland, and girls develop ovaries;
- Little by little, the sense of smell begins to “work”.
There is a theory that has not been fully tested: amniotic fluid smells like what a pregnant woman eats. When breastfeeding, the milk will also have the smell and taste of mother's diet. So that newborns and infants do not refuse mother's milk, it is recommended not to change the diet immediately after birth.
It is important. In the early stages of pregnancy, the illness or stress of the mother affected the entire body of the baby. Now every health problem can lead to the pathology of the organ that develops most intensively..
The main advice now is to love yourself, your body and your child. On your term, you need to become even more careful in everything.
- Meat or fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, cereals and dairy products - this is your daily diet.
- Preferably four or five meals a day.
- Remove and do not eat the skin from the chicken.
- If you have a sweet tooth, buy marmalade, marshmallows, marshmallows (without dyes), dried or dried fruits. Forget buns and cakes. If you really want chocolate, eat one or two slices.
- Try to 100% give up fried foods, smoked meats, canned food, spicy foods.
- Do not drink strong tea and coffee if you love these drinks and cannot refuse them. But if you have low blood pressure, your doctor may recommend coffee.
- There is an opinion that the expectant mother must definitely receive calcium from vegetables, and not from animal products. At the same time, it is argued that animal calcium causes earlier ossification of the fontanelles on the head of the fetus and then makes childbirth difficult. This is just another myth. During pregnancy, it is very difficult to oversaturate the body with calcium, since you really need a lot of it. The source of this trace element does not play a role at all. And the fontanel in children overgrows only closer to the age of one.
- For constipation, give up rice and be sure to include dried apricots and prunes in your diet. Dried apricots will also help with cramps, as it contains potassium.
- As always, alcohol and smoking are prohibited.
- Walk more often in parks, near rivers, ponds and fountains. There is an opportunity to go out of town - just wonderful.
- In a country house or a personal plot, of all agricultural work, you can only pick berries, and not for long and sitting.
- If your legs hurt from long walks, walk more slowly and for short distances.
- Take up yoga, swimming or special gymnastics. You need to prepare for the upcoming birth now.
- Join any club for pregnant women, communicate, share experiences, help each other at least through the Internet.
- Talk to your baby, stroke your tummy and think positive thoughts.
- If you feel stuffy at work or at home, ventilate the rooms or go outside whenever possible.
- If you have a blood pressure monitor at home, measure the pressure in the morning and evening, and write down the readings. If there are deviations from your individual norm, show the notes to the doctor.
- Lubricate the chest, abdomen and thighs with stretch mark creams or just olive oil.
- Dress in a way that does not freeze or overheat. If the weather is unstable, use several layers of clothing. During warmer months, carry an umbrella with you.
- There are no restrictions on sex if you have one fetus and there is no threat of miscarriage.
The term of 13 weeks of pregnancy is a time of joy and positive emotions. Be calm and happy - the second trimester awaits you.
This is a time of great change in the feelings of the expectant mother and a new stage in the development of her baby. It is this week that is considered the most informative for the first prenatal study, which is called "screening".
How many months is this?
By the 13th obstetric week, women are already well versed in how the time of pregnancy is calculated. Doctors always set a deadline that exceeds the actual one by about two weeks. This is the obstetric period, and the difference of 14 days is the time elapsed from the first day of the last menstruation before pregnancy to the expected ovulation.
If the 13th obstetric week has begun, then this means that now exactly 12 weeks have passed according to medical standards for calculating the gestational age, that is, it is 12-13 weeks, and 10-11 weeks have passed from conception. 11 embryonic week corresponds to 13 obstetric. The fourth lunar month has begun (each of them has exactly 4 weeks). In calendar terms, almost three months have passed.
Baby development
The fetal period of baby development is in full swing. It has already been 3 weeks since he ceased to be an embryo and became a fetus. With the beginning of this period, the baby every day becomes more and more like a little man. He no longer has a tail - he turned into a coccyx. The formation of internal organs is completed - now they will only grow.
Now the baby is the size of a decent onion. His height is in the range of 7-10 cm. The baby now weighs more than 20 grams.
Appearance
The baby looks very thin and wrinkled. This is due to the fact that while he lacks subcutaneous fatty tissue. The skin is very thin, capillaries and larger blood vessels shine through them. Vellus hair grows on the baby’s head, they are still light in all children, because the pigment that dyes the hair in one color or another has not yet begun to be produced.
The baby's head is still quite large in relation to the body. It averages half of the total area of the fetus. This disproportion will be eliminated over time, and by the time of birth, the baby's body will be five times the size of the head.
The proportions of the arms and legs begin to align. If earlier the arms were short, now this week they are noticeably increasing in length, and the legs are starting to grow. The lower limbs are still much shorter than the upper ones.
The fingers and toes are fully formed on the hands and feet, each of them is crowned with a small nail. The child has completed the formation of the ears, and from this week he begins to hear, but so far the hearing is more of a vibrational nature, because the formation of the inner ear is still ongoing. By about the 20th week of pregnancy, this process will be completed, and the sound waves will begin to transform into the sounds familiar to each of us.
The eyes, which were previously located on the sides of the head, have already moved to their proper place. The eyelids have formed - now they tightly cover the organs of vision. The face already has a nose, and in some children who, by racial or genetic background, are the owners of a prominent nose, these bones are already so large that a profile with a pronounced, well-defined structure is easily visible.
The neck is already formed - the baby can turn the head. All internal organs are located in their places, nothing peeps out of the abdominal cavity. The appearance of the crumbs begins to acquire individual features.
Internal organs
Since all organs have already been formed, the process of their growth is now underway, and they are also “learning” to work correctly, becoming more complex and developed. The gallbladder at week 13 produces bile, and the pancreas two weeks earlier began to produce insulin. The intestines contract rhythmically, and this is almost real peristalsis, despite the fact that the baby in the usual sense is not yet eating.
A small heart in its structure completely repeats the heart of an adult: it has four chambers, but it beats much faster. Heart rate (HR) this week from 140 to 170 beats per minute. During the day, the fetal heart pumps about 23 liters of blood. The kidneys work at full capacity: they produce urine, accumulate it, and the urinary system takes them out into the amniotic fluid. The baby pees often: almost once an hour.
Nervous system
The nervous system continues to improve. At the physiological level, it is completely laid down, there is a brain and spinal cord, but functional processes are still in their infancy. Impulses from the nerve endings are still received by the spinal cord, but soon the brain will begin to do this. In the meantime, brain tissue is being formed in it, and this process is very fast: 250 thousand new cells are formed in the fetal brain at week 13 every day.
Special channels of communication between the muscles and the nervous system continue to form. The baby already has several reflex skills in his arsenal: he shudders, sucking and swallowing reflexes have already been studied, his hands are clenched into fists, there is a grasping reflex. Taste buds already “pick up” shades of tastes: if a mother eats sweets, the child will definitely notice a change in the taste of water - he will swallow such amniotic fluid more willingly.
If the waters are bitter, because the mother ate onions and garlic, then the baby will not taste very pleasant - he will not swallow them.
The movements of the baby become more and more active. Most of the time he is in a dormant state, which resembles a dream. During periods of wakefulness, the baby “has fun”: hugs himself, plays with the umbilical cord, examines his face by touch and swims. Moms do not feel any movements yet - there is enough space in the uterus.
gender
The external genital organs of the baby are formed. The genital tubercles of the boys have lengthened, now it is a small penis. And in girls this week, the genital tubercles begin to bend and decrease, turning into the labia.
But it is still quite difficult to find out the sex - the sex differences in size are small. An experienced doctor, of course, will be able to see the difference if the ultrasound is done on a machine with good resolution, and the baby is located conveniently for examination. But the doctor cannot yet be guaranteed to name the sex of the child - the probability of an error at this time is quite high.
At the 13th obstetric week, the most global changes occur in the reproductive system of girls. Their ovaries descend into the pelvis, they already have about 2 million eggs in them. In boys, the formation of the prostate continues.
Skeletal system
Since the thyroid gland has been diligently developing and starting to work over the past weeks, calcium deposits have begun in the baby's bones, and they become stronger. The bones of the skull and spine begin to strengthen first, followed by the bones of the limbs. Your baby will have ribs this week.
Right now, the need for calcium for mom and fetus is great. If the baby lacks it, he will begin to take calcium from the mother's bones. As a result, the quality and appearance of nails, hair, teeth will deteriorate in a woman. By the way, the rudiments of the baby's milk teeth are already fully formed, and now they will wait in the wings.
Respiratory system
The respiratory organs of the child are already developed. This week he begins to try to make breathing movements. The chest expands irregularly for the time being, but every day the respiratory contractions will become more and more regular. After the birth, the baby will intuitively know how to breathe.
The glottis is still closed. The vocal cords at week 13 are actively formed, so that after birth the baby will announce the birth with a loud cry. In the lungs, the surfactant, an important substance for respiration, is not yet produced and accumulated. The baby will begin to prepare for independent breathing in the middle of the third trimester.
What can a child do. Despite the fact that the fetus is still very small, it is actively developing its skills. Now the baby reacts to external stimuli. If the mother begins to cough or speak with someone in a raised tone, then a special vibration will reach the baby, and he will feel changes in his mother's mood.
It is still unknown how children at such a period manage to feel fear, pain and joy. But numerous studies that covered the category of pregnant women who are going to have an abortion at this time have shown that the child perfectly feels all maternal emotions, feels pain. If he is in pain, he opens his mouth in silent crying, and if he is afraid, he tries to “hide”, shrink.
Scientists believe that The connection between mother and baby is now based on changes in the composition of maternal blood. When emotions change, her hormonal background barely perceptibly changes, this is exactly what the child feels.
At week 13, the baby makes a variety of grimaces - his facial muscles are already developed enough for this. He has learned to bring his fists to his mouth and tries to suck them, he is good at yawning, hiccupping, stretching after sleep. He takes special pleasure in playing with his own umbilical cord: he grabs it and feels it.
Kid on ultrasound. Ultrasound this week is carried out as part of prenatal screening, if it was not carried out earlier. The deadlines set by the Ministry of Health for this diagnostic measure allow screening this week. This ultrasound may be the first "meeting" of the expectant mother and her baby. Now on the monitor of the ultrasound scanner it is already possible to examine in detail the profile of the crumbs, nose, brow ridges, small arms, legs, listen to the heartbeat. All this causes a real delight in women.
During the study, the doctor assesses the viability of the baby, its size and correlates them with special tables, which can be used to judge the exact gestational age and developmental features of the fetus.
Still informative is the KTP (coccygeal-parietal size), in fact, which is a segment between the coccyx and the crown. Some doctors do not measure KTR this week, since BDP becomes more informative, in terms of determining the term, - biparental (transverse size of the baby's head), measured between the temporal bones.
This week it is already possible to measure the length of the femur, but the bones of the lower leg and shoulder are still so small that it is not practical to measure them. SVD is not measured either - the diameter of the fetal egg, since it exceeded 50 mm two weeks ago and became too large to measure.
For a full 12 weeks and the following six days, the following norms are characteristic:
Table of average fetometry values at week 13 (12-13 weeks)
Those who have measured the KTR will be interested to know if their baby meets the average standards. These values for week 13 are:
KTP at 13 weeks pregnant
The circumference of the abdomen of the baby at this time is on average from 61 to 69 mm.
The placenta has already fully assumed all the responsibilities for feeding and protecting the child, and now, if necessary, a woman can take medications that were not previously recommended to her, since the internal organs of the embryo were being laid, and there was no protective barrier. The thickness of the placenta at this time is from 15 to 18 mm, but it is not yet measured on ultrasound, since its thickness will have diagnostic value no earlier than 20 weeks and later
Feelings of a future mother
The feelings of a woman this week are ambiguous - on the one hand, she is happy and proud of her growing tummy, and on the other hand, she comes to understand that a child is serious, and, accordingly, all the concerns associated with this appear: will there be enough strength, experience, funds for in order to grow it. This is especially true for women who are pregnant with their first child.
Since the first trimester can be considered completed, the hormonal background “calms down” somewhat.. Progesterone and estrogens have accumulated in the female body in sufficient quantities, now their production is not so strongly felt by the pregnant woman. Therefore, the symptoms of toxicosis begin to leave the expectant mother, her appetite improves, night sleep becomes stronger, strong daytime sleepiness recedes a little. In general, her health improves, signs of malaise make themselves felt less and less.
If in the first trimester a woman suffered from increased salivation, now saliva begins to be produced somewhat less. Dizziness and nausea gradually go away.
The belly is noticeably growing. The belly and hips already look rounded, and many women can no longer hide their position. At this time, even superstitious women who were afraid to report their situation before are no longer afraid to disclose this important information and bring the fact of their pregnancy to friends, colleagues and relatives. Understanding the fact that the threat of miscarriage and the critical period has passed makes a woman more confident and calm.
A growing tummy begins to require a woman to change her habits. Sleeping on your stomach is now uncomfortable, and for sexual relations you have to choose new positions. Many women note that it became uncomfortable for them to lie on their back for a long time - the growing uterus begins to compress the inferior vena cava. This week, the woman already understands that those things that she wore before pregnancy no longer converge at the waist, they are tight in the hips and chest.
It's time to change your wardrobe to a more spacious one, and the usual bra should be changed to a more spacious bodice with wide straps that will hold the growing chest.
The mood, which was previously characterized by instability, is now beginning to “even out”, the woman becomes more balanced and calm, but she can be forgetful and absent-minded. All these metamorphoses are caused by the influence of a new hormonal background on the brain: everything in a woman's body adjusts to the needs of the child. The baby now needs a calm and peaceful mother.
And yet the woman is still quite sensitive. This week you should not communicate with people who like to talk about their difficult experience of childbirth and pregnancy, describe in colors all the horrors of the birth process and possible dangers. Pregnant women take someone else's experience too close to their hearts, especially if they are carrying their first child. Such stories can cause unnecessary now stress, tears, fears and anxiety.
You should also not “wind up” yourself about the upcoming screening. No matter how they frighten other pregnant women from the pages of the forums, there is nothing wrong with this diagnosis. If you correctly understand its essence, then the unrest will be minimal.
Domestic conflicts and quarrels should be avoided, after all, the baby can already respond to stress factors from the outside. If there is no one to talk to confidentially, right now a woman can turn to a psychologist who conducts a free appointment at any antenatal clinic.
The growing uterus begins to mechanically squeeze the intestines, which is why now the most urgent problem of pregnant women is constipation. Proper nutrition will help improve your well-being. It will also save a woman from another trouble at the beginning of the second trimester - a possible hemorrhoids. At the beginning of the 13th week, the expectant mother may notice that she has cramps in the calf muscles. Thus, calcium deficiency manifests itself, the need for which has increased significantly at this time.
This week, women who monitor their blood pressure levels may notice that their blood pressure is dropping. This is normal, because now the body has another circle of blood circulation (uteroplacental). Usually a slight natural hypotension does not cause any unpleasant symptoms.
If the pressure falls below normal, then this may be manifested by weakness, dizziness, loss of consciousness. Be sure to consult with your doctor.
The hormone progesterone, which throughout the first trimester "tried", continues to have a systemic effect on the female body. Now most often he becomes the "culprit" of frequent urination. Sometimes women continue to complain that their head hurts in the evenings. Due to the hormonal effect on the digestive system, a woman may experience heartburn, alternating constipation and loose stools. And the property of progesterone to retain fluid in the tissues can cause a physiological runny nose in pregnant women; such rhinitis does not need separate treatment, as it passes by itself.
Slight sipping sensations in the lower back and back at week 13 can be considered quite acceptable, because the uterus is growing, and the ligaments holding it are stretched. If the lower back hurts and pulls, and this does not last long, and is also not accompanied by abnormal discharge, then there is nothing to worry about.
Emergency medical attention should be sought if the pain is severe, growing, cramping.
At week 13, it becomes much easier to wear heavier and enlarged breasts. The mammary glands cease to disturb the woman: hurt, itch, itch. The active growth of the glandular tissue is replaced by the preparation of the ducts for breastfeeding, and this process is not accompanied by pain, although colostrum may begin to be released. If the chest has not stopped hurting this week, then you should be patient and wait another 7 days - usually by week 14, unpleasant symptoms recede in full.
Changes in the body
The main change in the female body at this time is the intensive growth of the body of the uterus. The size of the uterus increased almost 4 times, the length of the uterus grew by 10 centimeters. In multiparous women, the uterus is heavier, it grows faster, and therefore the main visual sign of pregnancy, the belly, also appears faster. In women who bear twins, the stomach is already impressive.
The location of the uterus also changes. She went beyond the small pelvis, is now in the abdominal cavity. The normal height of the uterine fundus at 13 weeks is about 11-12 centimeters.
The uterus becomes softer, more elastic, it is normal, does not come into tone, which ensures its growth, the amount of vaginal discharge also increases. You should not be afraid of this.
Light, white or yellowish discharge with a slight sour smell is considered completely normal for this period. However, a woman should be extremely vigilant and observe their character - any change in color, smell, consistency of the vaginal secretion can be a sign of pathology.
Green and gray, as well as brown discharge of a foamy consistency with an unpleasant odor, may indicate the presence of an infection, including a sexual one. Thick white discharge, accompanied by a yeasty smell and itching in the perineum, may indicate that a woman has thrush. This happens infrequently at week 13, because thrush is a companion of early and late gestation periods, but such a possibility is not completely excluded.
The amount of blood that circulates these days in the body of the expectant mother has increased by about 2 times. Now the load on the lungs, kidneys, heart of a woman has become twice as large. This can be manifested by an exacerbation of chronic diseases of these organs, if a woman had such diseases before pregnancy. But even healthy pregnant women at this time feel an increased heartbeat. With slight exertion, shortness of breath may occur.
The chest is now large and very beautiful. It is not spoiled even by the Montgomery tubercles protruding on the circles around the nipples and the darkening of the circles themselves. The nipples may become white. This happens when the nipples are irritated by underwear and a small release of colostrum, which, drying up, creates such a white color. From this week, you need to wash your nipples every evening with warm water to avoid inflammation and blockage of the passages.
Weight gain at week 13 can be different. In general, it is considered normal if 2 to 4 kilograms have been added to the initial body weight of a woman. The hCG pregnancy hormone is at its maximum, peak point. From the end of this week, the level of this hormone will begin to gradually decrease, and this process will last until the very birth.
A woman whose pregnancy is now proceeding without complications looks very attractive. Mystery, spirituality and charm appear in her appearance. Her hair shines, her nails grow faster, her skin becomes smoother and healthier. In some women, age spots on the back, neck, and arms begin to appear this week. Freckles in women often become brighter, but even this does not spoil their amazing, feminine beauty.
Possible Complications
The list of problems and risks that may threaten the expectant mother at the 13th obstetric week of pregnancy is noticeably reduced. The probability of a miscarriage is now already low, as is the probability of a sudden causeless fetal fading. But such risks cannot be completely ruled out. Below is a list of complications that pregnant women may experience at week 13.
intrauterine growth retardation
According to the results of the first ultrasound this week, the baby may be lagging behind in development. If no mistake is made with the timing of pregnancy, doctors will definitely try to find the true cause of slow fetal growth. A slight lag has nothing to do with the delay, but if the baby's parameters are 2 weeks less than normal, doctors talk about a probable IUGR - intrauterine growth retardation.
With a symmetrical delay, when all the proportions of the baby are equally reduced relative to the norm, they consider such versions as placental insufficiency or umbilical cord pathology, as a result of which the baby simply receives less nutrients and oxygen. A delay in fetal development can be observed in a hypertensive mother suffering from high blood pressure, heart and vascular diseases, as well as in a woman with chronic respiratory problems.
With an asymmetric delay, when some size is in clear disproportion with the rest, the version of the baby's malformations, including genetic ones, is considered the most likely. The reason may lie not only in a chromosomal disease, for example, in Down syndrome, but also in structural defects of the kidneys and heart, if something went wrong during the laying of these organs.
The reason that the baby grows more slowly than his peers may be the woman's malnutrition, vitamin deficiency in her body, as well as bad habits: smoking, alcohol, drugs.
Often, by slowing down growth, the baby “reacts” to infectious diseases transferred by the mother in the first trimester.
Non-developing pregnancy
A failed miscarriage or missed pregnancy can occur at any time up to 28 weeks. With an increase in the term, the likelihood of such a sad outcome decreases. Doctors noticed that most often the fetus stops developing and dies at an early stage - from 3 to 4 weeks, then during the transition from the embryonic to fetal phase of development - from 8 to 10 weeks. The third "dangerous" period starts at 16 and lasts until 18 weeks. Despite the fact that the 13th week is not included in these periods, the likelihood of fetal fading is real at this time as well.
There may or may not be symptoms. In this case, only 2-3 weeks after the death of the baby, the first signs may appear: a brown “daub”, pulling pains, all signs of a miscarriage. If pure blood has gone, then this may indicate that a miscarriage has taken place. But most often, a frozen pregnancy is detected on an ultrasound scan, which is done this week.
Any adverse factors that a woman has undergone can lead to the death of a child: infections, taking medications that are not allowed during pregnancy, malformations of the placenta, bad habits, a sudden "jump" of hormones.
Isthmic-cervical insufficiency
They speak of such a pathology if the woman's cervix begins to shorten and smooth out before the set time. The task of this part of the reproductive female organ during pregnancy is to tightly close the entrance to the uterus, not to allow the child to leave it prematurely. With insufficiency of the cervix, there is a threat of termination of pregnancy. If now the neck does not cope with its task, the child will die, because he still cannot live independently, outside the mother's womb.
The pathology has no symptoms, the woman may not feel anything unusual, and only on ultrasound at 12-13 weeks the doctor can detect pathological changes in the cervix. The causes of the phenomenon can be different: from congenital features of the cervix to traumatic changes caused by abortions or gynecological operations associated with mechanical expansion of the cervix. Often, pathology develops in women who have previously had a difficult birth.
There are many ways to treat a shortened neck. Of course, the short neck cannot lengthen, but it can be fixed by suturing or installing an obstetric pessary. In most cases, a woman quite safely manages to bring the baby to term.
Hypercoagulation syndrome
Blood clotting or hypercoagulation syndrome this week can be detected by the results of a coagulogram - an analysis that determines blood clotting. It is prescribed to pregnant women at registration. Too thick a woman's blood can become due to an increased load on all organs and systems, primarily on the heart and blood vessels. If a woman during the first trimester was tormented by severe toxicosis with vomiting and intoxication, then the risk of hypercoagulation syndrome is high.
At the beginning of the second trimester, hypercoagulability can occur in every second woman, and in most cases it is considered as a variant of the norm. The body of a pregnant woman begins to gradually and in advance prepare for childbirth. To prevent severe bleeding, the blood coagulation system begins to work in new conditions.
At the first detection, doctors will prescribe control over the state of the blood. If increased coagulability is detected in the future, then the woman will be prescribed treatment. Thick blood can be dangerous in the first place with an increased likelihood of thrombosis, premature aging of the placenta.
At week 13, you should not sound the alarm, the revealed hypercoagulability can be physiological.
Analyzes and examinations
If the screening has already taken place a week earlier, then no tests will be scheduled this week. If the referral for prenatal diagnosis was issued at week 13, then the woman will have to donate blood from a vein and do an ultrasound on the same day - these are the mandatory conditions for passing the first screening.
The purpose of this study is to identify women at risk for the likelihood of giving birth to a baby with chromosomal abnormalities. In the blood of a pregnant woman, the quantitative ratio of the hormone hCG and plasma protein PAPP-A will be assessed. On ultrasound, in addition to assessing the overall development and examination of the internal organs of the fetus, they will pay close attention to the so-called markers of chromosomal abnormalities - visual signs of abnormalities. Down syndrome and a number of other diseases, the risks of which are assessed during screening, for example, are characterized by a thickening of the collar space - folds on the back of the neck.
One by one, the results of ultrasound and blood tests say little. Only summary information processed by a special computer program gives an idea of how likely the birth of a sick child is. It is expressed in fractions - 1: 3000 or 1: 350. This fraction means that the chance of giving birth to a child with a particular chromosomal abnormality in a woman with similar indicators is 1 in 3000 or 350 births. Risks in the region of 1:100 are considered to be high risks.
"Bad" screening - what to do?
If screening shows increased risks of having a sick baby, then you should not panic, because the results of prenatal diagnosis are just a forecast, and not a diagnosis. Any negative "finds" on ultrasound or in the laboratory are the basis for a visit to a geneticist. This specialist will once again check all the data and may recommend that the woman undergo an additional examination, which with great accuracy can answer the question of whether the child has chromosomal abnormalities and anomalies.
In such situations, invasive diagnostics is recommended - chorion biopsy, a little later - amniocentesis. Using a special long needle, amniotic fluid or chorion particles are taken for analysis through a puncture in the anterior abdominal wall. DNA is used to determine if the child has anomalies.
These methods are very informative, but unsafe for the mother and fetus. The procedure can result in infection of the membranes, miscarriage, mechanical injury to the child. Modern medicine offers an alternative - a non-invasive DNA test.
In the sample of the venous blood of the expectant mother, fetal erythrocytes are found, which begin to get there from about 8-9 weeks of pregnancy, and the baby's DNA is derived from them. The procedure is no different from a regular blood test and does not harm the fetus and mother in any way, but it is expensive - several tens of thousands of rubles.
After additional diagnostics shows the true picture, it will be up to the woman herself and her close people to decide what will happen next with this pregnancy.
If the baby has pathologies, then the woman is recommended to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons. But she has the right to consciously refuse it. In this case, the pregnancy continues as usual, and, if necessary, both the mother and the baby receive supportive therapy.
Calcium
Since the need for this mineral increases with the onset of fetal bone growth, right now it is advisable to talk with your doctor about the possibility of additional intake of calcium supplements. You should not buy them in a pharmacy and start drinking on your own. If a woman does not have a calcium deficiency, then such actions can lead to an overabundance of the mineral, which is fraught with complications with the kidneys and metabolism.
The doctor saw the results of a biochemical analysis of the woman's blood, he knows exactly how much calcium is contained in her blood. If you need an additional amount of the mineral, he will recommend calcium preparations and indicate in what dosage it should be taken.
All pregnant women should include calcium-rich foods in their diet this week. These include cottage cheese, milk, dairy products, sea fish, fresh herbs, spinach, nuts. In most cases, this allows you to collect the required amount of an important substance without pharmaceutical preparations.
Sex
Sex this week is not contraindicated if the woman does not have the threat of marginal chorion presentation and other complications that can lead to miscarriage. No need to be shy, because the question of whether it is possible to live an active sex life, be sure to ask the attending physician at this time. If everything is fine, then he will not have anything against it.
Sex helps a woman feel better: it stabilizes the emotional and psychological background, improves relationships in the family. However, now you should carefully consider your own feelings and the choice of posture. Now all positions with deep penetration are already prohibited, as well as the use of lubricants.
If all security measures did not help, and the woman still fell ill with a cold or SARS at week 13, you should not worry too much. The baby is already formed, the likelihood that the temperature and medications taken will have a negative impact on him is not as high as in the first trimester. The placenta is already coping with barrier functions. This does not replace consultation with a doctor, and all medications should be taken only as directed.
This week you can go to the dentist and heal all the problem teeth, if necessary. X-rays also remain banned, but gentle anesthesia is already acceptable.
Every day of intrauterine life of a baby is a truly unique event. Very important transformations take place in the body of a little man.
What happens to the child?
By the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, the child in the mother's tummy is already sufficiently formed. Many of his internal organs have already begun to function. 13 obstetric week is the first week of the second trimester of pregnancy.
The baby is in an enlarged uterus, which takes up quite a lot of space in the pelvis. Every day the size of this reproductive organ only continues to increase. As the baby grows, the first specific sensations from his mother begin to appear.
The baby has a larynx and vocal cords begin to form. These organs are called voice-forming, as they are involved in the formation of sounds. A baby can really use them already in the first minutes after his birth, when he makes his first sound.
The child also has the first taste sensations. The baby can feel the shades of taste of the amniotic fluid. It can be sweet, salty, or even slightly bitter. This is largely influenced by what the mother of the baby eats. There are studies showing that the first taste preferences in humans are formed during fetal life and significantly depend on the mother's diet during pregnancy.
The ingestion of amniotic fluid at this period of intrauterine life of a child is an absolutely physiological phenomenon. This is how the urinary system develops. The baby swallows some of the amniotic fluid and then excretes it. This is how the kidneys and urinary tract develop.
Basic parameters of the fetal body
A child of this prenatal age is still quite small. In size, it resembles a medium peach. To assess body parameters, doctors use several parameters, the main of which are presented in the table below.
By the 12-13th week of its intrauterine development, the child already has a real "human" appearance. He has a slightly elongated body. The arms and legs are disproportionate to the head. The baby can distinguish individual facial features. The child at that time looks even funny. The line of the chin and nose becomes more defined. The child can already grimace and smile. He makes these active movements still unconsciously. The formation of conditioned reflexes will occur in the baby a little later.
Fluffy hair appears on the child's body. They are located in places where eyebrows and eyelashes will grow in the future. Vellus hairs are located in the chin area and above the upper lip, as well as on the head. From the 13th week of pregnancy, the forehead begins to form and change in the baby, and the cheeks and nose gradually move forward. Sweat glands begin to appear on the child's body.
The skin of the baby is still quite transparent. Through them, blood vessels are clearly visible. Over time, the color of the skin will change and acquire a more “healthy” physiological appearance.
Internal organs
Active changes occur in the secretory organs. The pancreas begins to function gradually. The cells that make it up begin to secrete some insulin, one of the most important hormones needed to utilize glucose in the body.
The baby's thyroid gland also begins to gradually produce its own hormones. For the normal development of this organ, iodine is necessary, since it is an integral part of hormones.
It is very important that a pregnant woman consumes enough iodine at this time. She usually receives it by taking a multivitamin complex prescribed by her doctor.
The intestines are also actively developing. The first contractions appear in it, which doctors call peristalsis. Of course, the intestines will truly function after the birth of the baby and when he eats food, but the first manifestations are noticeable already at this stage of the intrauterine development of the child. Small villi appear in the intestines, which are necessary for the digestion of food.
By the 13th week of pregnancy, there were very serious changes in the baby's circulatory system. So, the children's heart already consists of four chambers and pumps about 23 liters of blood per day.
The little heart is already really beating. To determine the assessment of the work of the baby's cardiac activity, doctors use the calculation of the heart rate (HR). This indicator is usually determined during an ultrasound scan. The rate of heart rate for babies of this prenatal age is presented in the table that follows.
Musculoskeletal system
In a baby, by the 13th week of its intrauterine development, the limbs are already quite well formed. There are already fingers on each handle and leg, and the thumbs are, as a rule, longer. Some children begin to touch their face with their fingers, turning this activity into an exciting game. Interestingly, each little finger of the baby already has its own unique skin pattern. The child continues to actively develop joints. At 13 weeks, the baby can already move his arms and legs. The twins begin to actively "study" each other, touching the body of a brother or sister. Some babies love to play with their umbilical cord.
At this period of intrauterine life, the rudiments of the mammary glands appear in the child. Gradually, the bone tissue of the ribs begins to form. For the optimal development of the musculoskeletal system of the baby, a sufficient intake of calcium into his body is necessary.
This must be remembered by the mother of the child. A pregnant woman at this stage of pregnancy should include more fermented milk products in her diet.
Nervous system
The child is improving the committed active movements. So they become more and more ordered and coordinated.
Active changes also occur in the nerve analyzers. Babies can "hear" their mother's and father's voices and even react to them. The expectant mother cannot yet notice such changes, since the child is still quite small. However, it is already possible to start talking with the baby, as this has a positive effect on the formation of an emotional bond between the mother and her child.
At week 13, another important milestone was almost overcome. The first trimester ends. With the first day of the fourteenth week, the second will already begin. A third of the way behind. The child is fully formed. This is a real little man in miniature, only very small, and his organs are still immature.
The condition of the expectant mother is gradually improving, the symptoms that haunted during the first trimester are gradually declining. Now until the third trimester you are waiting for a "respite". Feeling better, there is a lot of energy, increases sexual desire.
Signs and symptoms at 13 weeks pregnant
Hooray! At 13 weeks pregnant, most expectant mothers finally get rid of that annoying nausea! Appetite improves. But some other symptoms continue to worry:
· Dilated veins in the legs. The fact is that the blood flow to the uterus, and therefore to the pelvic area, increases. The veins cannot cope with the removal of all this fluid, they fill with blood and stretch.
· The influx of strength and energy. Perhaps this is the most pleasant of the symptoms that many expectant mothers begin to experience by the beginning of the second trimester. Constant weakness, fatigue, drowsiness - all this goes away. Now you can safely engage in shopping, arranging a nursery and other important things.
· Increased libido. If you suddenly noticed that your partner has become much sexier and more attractive - there is nothing strange and supernatural in this. This is messing with your hormones.
· Small bleeding from the vagina. As a rule, they occur after sex, because your cervix has become more tender and vulnerable. This is the norm. But if it seems to you that the discharge is too plentiful, and they are accompanied by other symptoms, you need to see a doctor.
· The mammary glands continue to prepare for breastfeeding. They increase in size, in some women they begin to produce colostrum- a yellowish, thick, sticky liquid. It will replace the baby's breast milk in the first days of life.
· constipation. Three factors have a negative impact on the work of your intestines at once. First, hormones continue to do their job. They relax the intestinal wall, as a result, the movement of feces slows down. The uterus already reaches a fairly decent size and begins to squeeze the intestines. If you are anemic and your doctor has prescribed iron supplements, they can also contribute to constipation.
· Increased vaginal discharge. This phenomenon is called leucorrhea or whites. Normal discharge should be clear and odorless. Their production is enhanced for two reasons. First, the uterus is growing and blood flow to the pelvic area, including the vagina, continues to increase. Secondly, the level of estrogen hormones increases. They make the glands of the vagina work more intensively.
· Clumsiness. You may have noticed that you began to stumble often, “everything falls out of your hands” for you. It's most likely a hormone relaxin. It helps to soften the connection between the pelvic bones to make it easier for the baby's head to pass through during labor. However, relaxin also affects all other ligaments. For example, the foot flattens and increases in size because of it. At one point, the expectant mother notices that the shoes she wore before have become small. This is a temporary effect. After childbirth, the effect of relaxin will end, and the musculoskeletal system will return to normal.
· Heartburn. On the border between the stomach and esophagus there is a special muscle pulp - it is called sphincter. Normally, its closure prevents the penetration of the acidic gastric contents of the stomach into the esophagus. But during pregnancy, due to hormones, this sphincter relaxes. There is heartburn, which increases after taking spicy, fatty foods, in the supine position.
What happens to the fetus at 13 weeks pregnant?
At 13 weeks pregnant, the fetus is about the size of a lemon. Sometimes its length is compared to a pea pod. The body length of the unborn child reaches approximately 7.4 cm, weight - 23 grams. His head is now not half, but 1/3 of the total body length - the proportions are increasingly approaching those of a newborn child.
In the first trimester, all embryos and fetuses grow about the same. Starting from the second trimester, their growth occurs at different rates. Some babies are bigger, others smaller.
The baby's skin is still very thin, and there is no fat layer under it - therefore, blood vessels, the skeleton, large nerves and internal organs shine through it. On tiny fingers is already beginning to form papillary drawing The child already has their own unique fingerprint. Tiny bones begin to form in the arms and legs. The unborn baby moves his arms and legs very actively (although due to his small size, most mothers do not feel this), sometimes he puts his thumb in his mouth and sucks.
All the internal organs of the fetus are already formed, they continue to grow and mature. The vocal cords appear: after the baby is born, they will keep you awake for many nights. The baby literally “tastes” the food that his mother is now eating. In the future, this will greatly affect his taste preferences. The fetus swallows the surrounding amniotic fluid and excretes it back into the amniotic fluid through the kidneys. Yes, now your uterus becomes not only his dwelling and dining room, but also a toilet!
The intestines are undergoing major changes. In the past weeks, he strongly protruded into the umbilical cord, now more and more returns to the abdominal cavity. Although the mother's body continues to carefully provide the baby with oxygen, he begins to train his own lungs. His heart rate is slower than in previous weeks, but still very fast.
If you are pregnant with a girl, then there are already about 2 million eggs in her ovaries: perhaps one of them is your future grandson or granddaughter.
Ultrasound at 13 weeks pregnant
How to eat right?
Good nutrition is extremely important at any stage of pregnancy. All 9 months the unborn child grows, his internal organs develop, mature, prepare to perform their functions with the beginning of an independent life. A small organism needs a lot of energy and building material, vitamins, minerals. One of the most important substances for mother and fetus is water.
Are you drinking enough liquid?
Heartburn, nausea, constipation, dizziness, weakness, headaches - if these symptoms are severe and cannot be managed on their own, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will be able to prescribe certain medications that you can take during pregnancy, such as antacids(neutralizing hydrochloric acid in the stomach), laxatives.
Any rise in temperature is a reason to call a doctor.
