Development Week 13

Being 13 weeks pregnant is a great time as you will now be over the 'joys' of pregnancy (i.e. morning sickness), have more energy and actually start to 'feel' pregnant.

Pregnancy Tip Your second trimester of your pregnancy is almost here! Have you thought about how your nutritional needs will change? Taking a prenatal vitamin designed specifically for this trimester, like Stage 2 Supplements can help you get exactly what you need. With extra iron, calcium, and B vitamins, you can be sure you and your baby will stay healthy.

Get Your Family Involved
Fathers and other family members may also start to play a bigger role in the pregnancy. It is a good idea to involve them more in the pregnancy and explain to them what is going on in the development of your baby.

At the Doctor's
Appointments with your doctor will now consist mainly of checking your:

• Blood pressure
• Weight
• Fundal Height (growth of the uterus)
• Baby's heart tones
• Urine

Don't forget to discuss your prescription for prenatal vitamins, which are necessary for the proper growth and development of your baby. Talk to your pharmacist about the best way to take your vitamins and whether they should be taken with food or beverages.

What's Happening with Baby
Your baby will now be weighing 0.81 ounces, about 23 grams. The intestines are starting to move from the umbilical cord to the stomach and the villi are even beginning to form in the intestines. Your baby's pancreas is now formed and functioning and even secreting insulin.

As you near the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, your placenta has developed and is providing your baby with oxygen, nutrients and waste disposal. The placenta also produces the hormones progesterone and estriol, which help to maintain the pregnancy. Your baby may also be able to put a thumb in her mouth this week, although the sucking muscles aren't completely developed yet. Several ribs may now be visible and tissue that will form bones is developing around your baby's head, arms, and legs.