Women's Health Specialists: Obstetrics-Pregnancy Timeline

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PREGNANCY TIMELINE: WEEK 13

Well what do you know? Week 13 has arrived with loads of astounding changes and tons of growth! Go ahead and revel in your baby's development and your diminishing waistline. With so many changes occurring daily it can be difficult to keep track of your baby's progress. Rely on our pregnancy timeline to mark this special journey with informative tidbits and helpful hints for you and your baby.

Week Thirteen Overview

During week 13 baby's growth rate is very rapid. Baby has entered what is known as the fetal period, when tissues and organs rapidly grow and mature. If you prod your bladder you baby squirms, but you can't feel movement just yet. Fetal nerves cells have been multiplying rapidly and synapses (neurological impulses in the brain) are forming. Baby has also acquired more reflexes: touching the palms make the fingers close, touching the soles of feet makes toes curl down, touching eyelids make eye muscles clench. Your baby's intestines are migrating from the umbilical cord into his or her abdomen.

Are you enjoying the second trimester and feeling your best? Your energy level should be picking up and you will not feel so tired anymore. You should be able to hold down food better and your weight gain should average a pound a week. The time has also come to bid a fond farewell to your waist.

You may be having really vivid dreams while you're pregnant. Some dreams may be pleasant while others could be described as nightmares. Many of these are the result of anxiety about the impending change in your life and your worries about handling it all. Address your anxieties now, before the birth of your child, and you'll be better able to deal with motherhood later. Books on dream interpretation are a lot of fun and might offer insight into the turmoil of approaching parenthood.

By now you can probably feel the upper edge of your uterus above the pubic bone in the lowest part of your abdomen, about 4 inches below your bellybutton. At 12 to 13 weeks, your uterus fills your pelvis and starts growing into your abdomen. It feels like a soft, smooth ball.

Have you noticed your breasts are changing? Around this time your breasts may begin to exude a small amount of moisture called colostrum. Later in the pregnancy enough colostrum may be secreted to require absorbent material over your nipples. Be sure to wash away the dried substance with warm water so your nipples won't become irritated. Do NOT use soap, creams, ointments, or tincture of benzoin on your nipples. In addition, the blood vessels in your breasts will probably become more prominent.

Baby's Physical Development

Baby weighs 13 to 20 grams and is 2.6 to 3.1 inches long.
The eyes have moved closer together.
Ears are almost in normal position on side of head.
All 20 of baby's teeth have formed and are waiting to pop out.
Vocal chords are developing and the voice box has formed.
Liver is making bile.
Kidneys are secreting urine into the bladder.

Time to Start Thinking About...

You've always heard of the dreaded striae distensae, and now it looks like they're here to stay. Striae Distensae, otherwise known as stretch marks, may appear early in your pregnancy, usually on the abdomen, breasts, and hips or buttocks. Stretch marks may fade to the same color as the rest of your skin after pregnancy, but they won't go away. Although there is no known prevention or cure for stretch marks women continue to try various lotions with ingredients ranging from lanolin to aloe vera to mineral oil. Avoid steroid creams, such as hydrocortisone or topicort, to treat stretch marks during pregnancy. The absorbed steroid is easily passed on to your developing baby. Check with you doctor before using any steroid creams.

The second trimester offers the best of pregnancy, so why not plan a vacation before the little one arrives? It's the perfect time to get away from it all! What are you waiting for? You'll want to be as comfortable as possible as you head out for some much deserved rest and relaxation. When planning your trip be sure to consider the physical changes your breasts have undergone. Purchasing a few new maternity bras will ensure total comfort and ease...wherever you go!

Tips for Mom

Is work stressing you out? Are you physically exhausted after work? If so maybe you should talk to your doctor and your employer about modifying your job somewhat to minimize risks to you and your baby. As your pregnancy progresses it may even be necessary to cut back at work. If problems arise, such as premature labor or bleeding, be sure to follow your doctor's advice. Wearing yourself out doesn't help you or your baby and may make complications of pregnancy worse.

How 'bout another cup of coffee? Researchers say you may want to pass on the coffee, soft drinks, tea and other products with caffeine. It is believed there is an association between caffeine use and miscarriage or premature labor. Caffeine crosses the placenta to the baby and could affect you and your baby's calcium metabolism. Caffeine consumption may also increase the chances of breathing problems in your newborn. Limit the amount of caffeine you consume for a healthy baby and a healthier you.

Make sure you are sticking to your exercise routing. Exercise is important because it helps to prepare the body for labor and delivery. Maintaining muscle tone also helps reduce the problems you may have with backaches and posture as the pregnancy progresses.

Tips For Dad

Some exercises that may improve posture and make Mom feel more comfortable include back flattening exercises that stretch the spine. Have her lie on her back on the floor with her head, shoulders, buttocks, and heels against the floor. While in this position she should reach her arms over her head and lengthen her neck and spine by reaching in the opposite direction with her toes. Release. Repeat up to 10 times. If you really want to make her feel special, let those magic hands do the walking with one of your patented massages.

Prenatal Care Checklist

Lying on your left side with a firm pillow under your head will usually be the most comfortable position for sleeping. This position brings more oxygen to the baby and eases the load on your kidneys.
Try a body pillow.
Bath water should not exceed 100 degrees F. Saunas and hot tubs are off limits.
Do not douche or use tampons. Take a warm bath or use pads instead.
You should not be changing the kitty litter because harmful parasites may be present.
Travel is okay as long as you don't travel far from home during the last month of pregnancy. Check with your doctor first if a travel emergency arises.
Seatbelts will not harm your fetus.
Use both shoulder and lap belts and make sure to place the lap belt under your belly, across the hips and thighs.
Avoid contact with any harmful chemicals or fumes.