13 weeks pregnant: Baby’s development, symptoms and top tips

Your baby is more than 7 cm long from the top of their head to their rump – about the size of a kiwi. Their genitals are developing on the outside of their body, while their ovaries or testes are fully developed inside their body. Isn’t it amazing to think that not only are you growing your baby, but also their ability to have their own children one day is already developing inside you?

While the early symptoms of pregnancy will hopefully be leaving by week 13, meaning you can say goodbye to the nausea, fatigue and sickness that might have plagued you for the past 12 weeks, there are still side effects of pregnancy at this stage.

For example, you might still have sore and tender breasts, as they continue to grow, and you might also get occasional pain in your developing bump as your round ligaments stretch to accommodate your growing uterus. If you get pain with sudden movements – such as coughing, sneezing or laughing – try holding your belly to support the ligaments. This can help ease the discomfort, and is good practice as your bump grows.

Bloating and constipation

The bigger your uterus grows, the more it presses on other organs, which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms in your stomach, bowel and bladder. Bloating and constipation can result from a squashed bowel, and are also caused by hormones that act to slow the movement of your digestive tract. This enables your body to have the time to take nutrients from your food and pass them to the baby, but it can also allow the build-up of gas and slow your bowel movements.

If you’re suffering, try eating little and often, rather than big meals, and make sure you’re including a good balance of food groups. If symptoms are particularly uncomfortable, a food diary might help you isolate specific troublesome foods that you could avoid.

Swollen hands and feet

Your body holds more water than usual when you’re pregnant, which can result in swelling of your hands, feet and legs. Usually this swelling comes on gradually and is more noticeable in the third trimester – usually made worse if you’re spending long periods of time on your feet. Make sure you get plenty of rest and put your feet up at the end of the day. If you’re concerned about abnormal swelling, talk to your health professional.

Leg cramps

Leg cramps can also come on during pregnancy – often at night, for no apparent reason. Try to keep active during the day with regular gentle exercise, and when cramps come on you can ease them by rotating your foot, pulling your toes up towards your ankle, or rubbing hard on the muscle.

Build stamina through exercise

Staying active is a great way to alleviate many of the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy, as well as helping you maintain your fitness for an easier birth and recovery. Gentle exercise like walking, swimming, pregnancy yoga or Pilates will help you develop the strength and stamina you need to carry a growing baby – both in the womb, and once it’s outside! Back problems are common among pregnant women and new mothers, so the more you can do to stabilise your core now, the stronger it will be in the long run.

Eat well

Getting into good eating habits now will help your body meet the extra demands of pregnancy and motherhood. Try to eat a healthy breakfast instead of skipping it; tasty, unprocessed foods like muesli and yogurt or eggs and wholemeal toast will give you plenty of energy and nutrition to get through the morning. 

Many breakfast cereals have added iron, which can help ensure you get your daily recommended iron intake. Or pair your eggs with spinach or other leafy greens for the same effect. Yogurt and other dairy products will help with calcium intake – another way you can make sure your breakfast is working for you.

Fruit (especially organic fruit) is a super convenience food – ready ‘packaged’ and full of goodness for between-meal snacks. Or opt for veg instead; carrot sticks dipped into hummus or a few cherry tomatoes can make a great tide-me-over.

If you're finding yourself more prone to getting urinary tract infections these days, a daily glass of cranberry juice will help ward them off, as well as boost your vitamin C and anti-oxidant intake.

In general, it's a great idea to stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids, but don't forget to keep an eye on your caffeine intake, and remember it's best to avoid alcohol too.

Embracing your sex drive

If you were feeling rough in the first trimester, it may be a while since you’ve felt like being intimate with your partner. Some people find that changes in the second trimester, and suddenly their sex drive is on the up. You don’t need to worry about hurting the baby – they are well-cocooned in there – so do what feels good for you and your partner. These next few months (while your bump isn’t getting in the way!) are a good opportunity to make the most of the time when it’s just the two of you.

Try to avoid handling cat litter, as cat poo can be contaminated with bacteria that can cause toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous to your foetus. Toxoplasmosis is also a risk from certain foods, which is why you’re advised to avoid uncooked meats – including cured meat like chorizo – and unpasteurised goat and cow milk products.

Avoiding viruses

Know anyone with chicken pox? Steer clear.

If you do come into contact with chicken pox or rubella, talk to your midwife. Similarly, it’s advised to avoid travelling to countries that are affected by the Zika virus, as this can cause birth defects. In fact, check before you travel anywhere to see if you need any travel vaccinations.

Some live vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy, so it’s always best to talk to your midwife or travel nurse before booking a trip somewhere exotic. That being said, if you can afford to take a holiday before your baby is born, the second trimester is a great time – before you get too uncomfortable to travel far.

Avoiding chemicals

It’s impossible to avoid all chemicals, but there are precautions you can take with household chemicals – for example, opening a window when you’re cleaning the house, wearing gloves to avoid skin contact, and switching to more ‘natural’ products, which contain less chemicals.

It’s never too early to start your pelvic floor exercises. Read our guide to pelvic floor exercises to see what you should be doing to ensure a strong pelvic floor that’s ready for birth – and able to bounce back afterwards. Build these exercises into your daily routine: for example, you could try doing them every time you’re on the phone, standing by the photocopier, or waiting for the kettle to boil.

Though the advice is to squeeze your muscles as though you’re trying to stop in the middle of a wee, it is not recommended to do this while you actually need the toilet, as you could end up giving yourself a UTI.

Unless you’re under specialist care, you probably won’t see a doctor during your pregnancy as your care will be handled by your midwife. Generally speaking, you can go to your midwife with any concerns related to your pregnancy. If you have another health concern – such as a throat infection – you should see your GP as normal.

If you think there is something wrong with the baby, your midwife will most likely advise that you go immediately to hospital where they will be able to check the baby’s heartbeat and health using an ultrasound scan. Where you go will depend on the services available in your area, so check the medical notes you were given at your booking in appointment for instructions about where to attend for urgent care.

Pregnancy yoga is a lovely way to relax, strengthen your body and bond with your baby. You can start at any time during your pregnancy, but the earlier you begin, the greater the benefit. You may also meet other parents there, giving you another group of friends alongside the ones you make at your antenatal classes.

What are the signs of a healthy pregnancy at 13 weeks?

At 13 weeks, you might start to notice a small bump, but it is still too early to feel your baby move. Having recently had a dating scan, you should hopefully be reassured that your pregnancy is progressing well, but if you still feel very anxious, talk to your midwife. They may be able to refer you to a support group or therapist that can help you work through your worries. Of course, you should also keep talking to your partner, friends and family, who can support you throughout your pregnancy.

Where is the baby located at 13 weeks pregnant?

Your uterus still fits more or less inside your pelvis and shouldn’t be impinging on your stomach or diaphragm yet!

Are cramps normal at 13 weeks pregnant?

Most likely, discomfort in your abdomen is caused by round ligament pain – stretching of the ligaments that connect your expanding uterus with your pelvis. You may also get some back pain as your body changes and grows. If you’re experiencing severe cramps and heavy bleeding, call your midwife or go directly to the hospital.

What is the size of the uterus at 13 weeks pregnant?

Your uterus is about the size of a grapefruit and will grow each week as your baby grows.

Can my baby feel me rub my belly at 13 weeks?

Your baby probably won’t be able to feel you rub your belly just yet – but that’s no reason not to do it. Rubbing your belly can be very soothing, and can help you bond with your baby in this special interim period after you’ve seen it on the scan but before you can feel it move.

Got questions? At the HiPPBabyClub, we bring you real-world advice and support from HiPP parents, midwives, nutritionists and more. Join our Baby Club to find out more.