Week 13 of Pregnancy

First trimester weeks

Congrats! During the first trimester, you’re getting used to the idea of being pregnant.

Second trimester weeks

As you enter this second trimester, your body will settle down to pregnancy.

Third trimester weeks

You've reached the third and final trimester and will be heavily pregnant by now.

Week 13 of Pregnancy

As you enter this second trimester, your body will settle down to pregnancy.

For most women, any discomforts of early pregnancy start to disappear this trimester. The high levels of pregnancy hormones, which are thought to contribute to sickness, are subsiding, and fatigue should begin to diminish. Meanwhile, your baby floats peacefully in the amniotic sac. As he goes on growing, so the sac will expand to give him plenty of room to kick and stretch. His brain is developing at a rapid rate.

12 Weeks, 6 Days

190 days to go...

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Your baby today

The developing eyes are now facing forward and the baby's right ear can also be seen here. Your baby spends most of the time in a curled position, often with legs crossed, and hands close to the face.

It's never too early to start planning what you'll need to buy for your baby, even if you don't want to start shopping just yet.

Now that you're in your safer second trimester, you may be tempted to start buying a few baby items, unless you're superstitious and would prefer to wait. A good reason to start shopping in this trimester is that your energy levels should be at their pregnancy peak. In later months, you will find it too tiring to carry your belly, as well as your bags, around the stores and a shopping trip may not be your favorite pastime. Even if you're not shopping yet, start planning. Ask friends to recommend their favorite strollers, cribs, slings, and car seats, then check prices so you can plan your budget. You might also find that family and friends offer used goods you can buy or borrow.

If you purchase new baby clothes, leave the tags on and check the store's return policy in case you have a baby who's too big for the newborn clothes or you decide against the items you've bought.

Focus On... Your body

Managing hair growth

Changing hormones can play havoc with hair growth. To deal with any new unwanted hair:

Shave larger areas and pluck out the odd stray hair.
Depilatory creams and hair-lightening bleaches may be absorbed through the skin so shaving and tweezing are safer. If you feel you must use depilatory creams and bleaches, do a patch test first and keep the room well ventilated to avoid fumes.
If you're waxing, be aware that your skin may be more sensitive during pregnancy.

Ask A... Doctor

I've just told my parents I'm pregnant but they reacted very negatively because they don't approve of my partner. What can I do?

First, give them time to come to terms with the news. Creating a baby with someone is the ultimate commitment, and marks an important life-changing event. For your parents, it is a signal that your partner isn't going anywhere, however much they might disapprove of him.

Once things have calmed down, suggest that your parents take the pregnancy as an opportunity to reestablish their relationship with your partner and wipe the slate clean. Reassure them that you and your partner very much want them to be a part of their grandchild's life, and that you'd rather clear the air now, so that there aren't any negative feelings and tension once your baby is born.

Remember that all is likely to be forgotten when your parents hold a much-loved grandchild in their arms, and since part of that baby will be your partner's that should help them to feel warmer toward him.