13 Weeks Pregnant

Key Takeaways at 13 Weeks Pregnant

• Good news: You should hopefully start feeling more like yourself soon, as you enter your second trimester. The initial pregnancy exhaustion may fade and the nausea might too! The honeymoon phase of pregnancy is approaching, meaning you might get a burst of energy for a few weeks.
• You might have a 13-week ultrasound or possible non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which looks for chromosomal abnormalities. Baby’s sex might be detectable at this point too—but no guarantees.

The end of week 13 is the end of the first trimester! We’re not just talking about getting through those work meetings without falling asleep (or puking), we’re talking about how you’re now 1/3rd of the way through your pregnancy! At 13 weeks pregnant, you’ve grown a fetus that has vocal cords, teeth and even fingerprints (wow!), and you’ve probably kept this incredible news (mostly) secret while wishing you could shout it from the rooftops—or, at the very least, use it as an excuse for getting to work late.

Video Highlights at 13 Weeks

Baby at Week 13

That little cutie of yours is growing fast as you approach the second trimester. During week 13, baby is making urine that’s released into the amniotic fluid. And, FYI, this new development doesn’t stop baby from swallowing amniotic fluid—but don’t worry—it’s a totally safe and normal part of development. Speaking of swallowing, your little one might even be sucking their thumb already!

Wondering if your little one will be a chatterbox or have the singing voice to become the next Taylor Swift? There’s no telling yet, but their vocal cords do begin to develop at this point. Of course, these vocal cords won’t be put to the test until the day baby is born when they let out their first big cry.

How big is baby at 13 weeks?

At 13 weeks, baby is as big as a lemon. Your 13-week fetus is about 2.9 inches long and weighs about .81 ounces, and proportion-wise, their head is now about 1/3 the size of the body instead of 1/2.

13 weeks pregnant is how many months?

At 13 weeks pregnant, you're three months pregnant, although doctors track pregnancy by week, not month. This is the last week of the first trimester. (We can’t say it enough because it’s so great to be here!)

13 week ultrasound

A 13-week ultrasound could detect baby’s sex, but since it can be pretty tough to make out little boy or girl parts, your doctor will probably wait until the mid-pregnancy ultrasound (around 18 to 22 weeks), when it will be much more obvious, to look and see whether you’re having a girl or a boy.

If you’ve chosen to have prenatal cell-free DNA testing, also known as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), to screen for chromosomal abnormalities, you’ll be able to find out the sex when you get your results. Hey, at 13 weeks, you may already know! Oh boy! (Or girl!)

Pregnancy Symptoms at Week 13

You might notice that around 13 weeks pregnant, your symptoms change a bit. You might actually be able to get through the day without nausea (if not now, soon) or feeling the need to nap. But you may be experiencing a few of these 13 weeks pregnant symptoms too:

Visible veins

You can see all those blue streaks and spider veins under your skin because you have increased blood flow.

Increase in energy

The second trimester is known as the least symptomatic and the most energetic. As you start to feel more like yourself and get that energy surge, you’re going to want to knock a bunch of to-dos off your list. Also, if you’ve found yourself too sick and tired to exercise lately, now’s the time to get back to a fitness routine. Exercise will only benefit you and baby and can even make labor easier. Worth it!

Increased sex drive

If you’re one of those lucky pregnant women who feels up for a roll in the hay at 13 weeks, enjoy! You may notice a bit of post-coital spotting during pregnancy at 13 weeks. A little spotting is normal simply because your cervix is more sensitive. But heavy bleeding (like a period) isn’t, so call your doctor if it’s more like a flow. Otherwise, you and your partner can use your increased sex drive to enjoy some together time before baby arrives!

Sorry, twin moms-to-be. If you’re 13 weeks pregnant with twins, you might still be experiencing some morning sickness and fatigue. That’s because twin moms can have more of the pregnancy hormone hCG in their systems. If your nausea and vomiting is super severe, definitely bring it up to your OB. If you’re able to hold down food and liquids but you’re still feeling ill, just wait it out a little longer.

What should I expect at 13 weeks pregnant?

At 13 weeks pregnant, you’re turning the corner and may even feel like a new woman after a first trimester of morning sickness, fatigue and other issues. You may experience 13 weeks pregnant symptoms, as well as some indigestion, achiness and tiredness that’s typical in the first trimester. Expect to feel a lot more at ease in the second trimester!

Your Pregnant Belly at 13 Weeks

Your uterus is now big enough that it’s growing up and out of your pelvis. That means you’re starting to actually look pregnant. Finally, right? Expect to look more and more pregnant from here on out, because carrying a 13-week fetus calls for a weight gain increase. OBs recommend you gain weight in the healthiest way possible—that means slowly and steadily throughout your pregnancy. Here are the weight gain guidelines outlined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):

If you’re underweight (BMI under 18.5):

• Your recommended total pregnancy weight gain is 28 to 40 pounds.
• In the second and third trimesters, aim to gain about a pound (1 to 1.3 pounds to be exact) per week.

If you’re normal weight (BMI of 18.5 to 24.9):

• Your recommended total pregnancy weight gain is 25 to 35 pounds.
• In the second and third trimesters, aim to gain about a pound or a little less (0.8 to 1 pound to be exact) per week.

If you’re overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9):

• Your recommended total pregnancy weight gain is 15 to 25 pounds.
• In the second and third trimesters, aim to gain a little over a half pound (0.5 to 0.7 pounds to be exact) per week.

If you’re obese (BMI of 30 and above):

• Your recommended total pregnancy weight gain is 11 to 20 pounds.
• In the second and third trimesters, aim to gain about a half pound (0.4 to 0.6 pounds to be exact) per week.

If you’re 13 weeks pregnant with twins:

• Your recommended total pregnancy weight gain is 37 to 54 pounds.
• In the first half of your pregnancy, aim to gain about a pound per week. In the second half, aim to gain a little over a pound per week.

Of course, you don’t want to stress yourself out about these numbers. What’s important is that you’re eating a healthy diet full of a variety of different foods, eating about 300 extra (nutritious) calories per day more than you did pre-pregnancy and getting plenty of exercise.

How does your belly feel at 13 weeks pregnant?

You’re probably feeling great in terms of nausea and morning sickness! However, to make room for your fast-growing 13-week fetus, your uterus is moving upward and outward. This expansion can cause stretch marks and itchy belly skin. Don’t forget to moisturize and eat well to keep skin soft and supple!

Can you feel the baby at 13 weeks?

Possibly! It’s different for everyone, but some women (particularly those who have been pregnant before) may start to feel those telltale movements when baby’s at 13 weeks. If you haven’t felt the first flutters yet, don’t worry—it can take up to 25 weeks along to feel what’s called “the quickening.”

Tips for 13 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

Know the signs of a UTI

Left untreated, a urinary tract infection can potentially travel to the kidneys and pose a health risk for Mom and baby. If you need to use the bathroom more often than usual, feel burning during urination or it looks or smells unusual, visit your doctor, who can test for bacteria and prescribe antibiotics.

Strengthen your pelvic floor

When you’re carrying a baby at 13 weeks, your body needs all the support it can get. Your pelvic floor can weaken from pregnancy and labor, but you can do Kegel exercises to strengthen the area. They don't take a lot of time or effort, and a regular routine during pregnancy can pay off with less urinary leakage after you give birth and enhanced sexual sensations. Sounds good!

Find some together time

You and your partner may be hot and heavy between the sheets right now, but have some fun outside the bedroom too, so you can spend quality time with each other before baby makes three.

Eat a good breakfast

No more morning sickness? Breakfast is served! It’s the perfect time to get calcium, protein and the powerful nutrients that come from produce and whole grains. A healthy morning meal can also help you set the tone for nutritious eating for the rest of the day.