Week 13 of Your Pregnancy

Welcome to the second trimester. Read on to learn more about common questions, symptoms, and development when you're 13 weeks pregnant.

Pregnancy Journey Week 13

Design By Alice Morgan / Illustration by Tara Anand

You've made it to the second trimester of your pregnancy. At 13 weeks pregnant, some people breathe a sigh of relief as the risk of miscarriage significantly decreases. You might also start feeling like your old self again as the exhaustion and fatigue of the first trimester start to dissipate, and you're one step closer to the estimated due date.

In fact, you might find yourself heading into the most enjoyable weeks of pregnancy, though the experience is different for everyone. Read on for what you need to know about being 13 weeks pregnant.

Pregnancy Week 13 Quick Facts

  • At 13 weeks, you’re three months pregnant
  • You have 27 weeks until your due date
  • You're in your second trimester

Your Unborn Baby's Size at 13 Weeks

At 13 weeks pregnant, your fetus is about 2.91 inches and weighs about .81 ounces. It’s the size of a small peach or plum, according to Olivia Dziadek, MD, OB-GYN and assistant professor at UT Health Houston. 

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 13

You may be feeling a little better than you were during your first trimester, but for some, pesky nausea and exhaustion continue a bit longer. Here are some other symptoms you might notice at 13 weeks pregnant:

  • Increased breast size and tenderness
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms
  • Constipation
  • Headaches
  • Swollen or bleeding gums
  • Round ligament pain (though it's more commonly experienced in the coming weeks)

Round ligament pain occurs in 10% to 30% of pregnancies, usually at the end of the first trimester and second trimester. It happens as your uterus grows, and the round ligaments—which attach from the uterus to the groin—are strained.

That achy feeling around your bump itself can be improved by stretching, Dr. Dziadek says. You can also ask a health care provider about taking a pain reliever, like Tylenol (acetaminophen), as needed if the pain becomes too much. That said, if you continue to have persistent lower abdominal or pelvic pain, you should call a medical professional.

Combat pregnancy constipation with a few diet changes, such as opting for higher-fiber foods and drinking more water. It can be easy to get out of the habit of drinking enough water during pregnancy, especially if you experienced morning sickness and frequent urination in early pregnancy. Tracking fluid intake or using a large, reusable water bottle may help.

If breast pain is consistent, keep an eye on your caffeine intake, limiting it to a cup of coffee per day, suggests Dr. Dzaidek. And get a physical breast exam. The former can alleviate symptoms, while the latter can provide peace of mind.

Also, don't worry if your first-trimester nausea doesn't disappear the minute you are 13 weeks pregnant. Andrea Faulkner Williams, a mom of four based in Carlsbad, California, says that, at this point, she still had some nausea. "I was still waiting for the nausea to subside," says Williams. "I was pretty discouraged after so many weeks of feeling sick, but what I didn't know was that in just a few weeks, I would feel a lot better and would even be able to bring vegetables and exercise into my life again!"

Developmental Milestones

Your unborn baby is doing lots of work growing organs and body parts this week, Dr. Dzaidek says. Their long bones are hardening, and their skin is thin and see-through but will soon become thicker. If you could peer into your belly, you'd see their neck and lower limbs developing. Their lungs also form tissue that will let them exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide as soon as they are born.

week 13 quote

Prenatal Tests and Doctor's Appointments

At 13 weeks pregnant, you may hear fetal cardiac activity on the external Doppler. And while this can happen as early as 10 weeks, it can be a hold-your-breath kind of moment for some, especially if you've been through miscarriage or infertility, says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, OB-GYN at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center.

Hearing the heartbeat is a sign that "everything's normal," Dr. Ruiz explains, adding that second-trimester miscarriages are "incredibly rare." Only 1% to 5% of pregnancies end in miscarriage between 13 and 19 weeks.

If you haven't done so already, a health care provider might ask if you want to have non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which is a series of blood tests that help inform your provider of any potential congenital disorders, such as an increased risk for Down's Syndrome, Dr, Dziadek says. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), this screening test should be offered to everyone regardless of age or chromosomal abnormality.

Depending on when your last appointment was, you will most likely see your health care provider every four weeks at this point until you start to go more frequently in the third trimester.

Common Questions at This Pregnancy Stage

Why am I peeing so much?

There are a few reasons for increased urination during pregnancy. "The pregnancy hormone hCG, which is what is detected in the urine on a home UPT (urine pregnancy test), can increase blood flow to the pelvis as well as increase the filtration of your kidneys to clear out toxins faster," says Barbara Frank, MD, a Harvard-affiliated OB-GYN and Attn: Grace medical advisor. "This makes you pee more—bottom line!" Progesterone also plays a role. "By the second trimester, this stabilizes, and the increased urination may decrease from hormones but still be present because there is a growing human sitting on your bladder." She adds if you have burning, blood, or a foul smell in the urine, talk to your health care provider.


What hospital will I deliver at?

Dr. Dziadek commonly gets this question around week 13, as parents start to think through the details of the birth and possibly their birth plan. You can ask a health care provider what hospitals are available or alternative options, such as home births or birthing centers. While less than 2% of people in the US give birth outside of a hospital, some people feel it is right for them. Consider which is best for you through shared decision-making with your medical team and partner or family.

Things You Might Consider This Week

If pregnancy loss was on your mind, give yourself a minute to celebrate this milestone of being 13 weeks pregnant. Or you may need to recognize continued anxiety if the improved statistics pointing to a successful pregnancy don't help.

At week 13, Naples, Florida mom of two Beth Booker says, "When I was pregnant with my second child, it was my fourth pregnancy, and I had lost two pregnancies prior. Despite being out of the first trimester, I felt so much anxiety. All the same, my doctor and midwife were incredibly supportive of giving me peace of mind and updates on my baby to keep me at ease through the pregnancy and prescribed me a low dose of medication to keep my mind at ease. My rainbow baby turns 5 in July!"

Research has found that those who experienced a prior pregnancy loss were more likely to experience anxiety or depression in the first trimester. They also tend to have higher levels of pregnancy-related fears.

Make sure to ask all the questions you want to. If you are having pregnancy symptoms that are confusing or concerning, don't be afraid to call a health care provider or ask at an appointment—there are no stupid questions. Dr. Dziadek says her patients frequently want to discuss what symptoms are "normal" and might want further reassurance about weight gain, upcoming testing, and more. So, fire away!

Support You May Need This Week

At 13 weeks pregnant, you might want to talk to your support person about how you are feeling about the second trimester. Grabbing a cup of tea with a friend or heading to your therapist can alleviate your worries and help you stay calm and excited about the upcoming months.

You may find that you want to celebrate the second-trimester milestone but remain exhausted and worried that something might still go wrong. Talking to a supportive friend, significant other, or family member frequently can help.

Head over to week 14 of pregnancy

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Management of acute abdomen in pregnancy: Current perspectivesInt J Womens Health. 2019.

  2. Second Trimester Pregnancy Loss. American Family Physician. 2007.

  3. Non-invasive prenatal testing. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2023.

  4. Out-of-hospital birthAm Fam Physician. 2021.

  5. Depression and anxiety following early pregnancy loss: Recommendations for primary care providersPrim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015.

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