13 Weeks Pregnant

By the time you are 13 weeks pregnant, you are rapidly closing in on the end of your first trimester. Hopefully, you are feeling a little better than you have been and are starting to think that somehow, pregnancy isn t so bad after all. You've probably had at least 1 ante-natal check and heard your baby's heartbeat by now. In some strange way, having a professional such as a midwife or doctor talk about your baby confirms your pregnancy as an absolute reality.

You may have even had an ultrasound by the time you are 13 weeks pregnant, particularly if you have threatened to miscarry. For women who have felt ambivalent about conceiving, or found the news of their pregnancy a shock, this first ultrasound can be almost life changing. It brings the reality of the baby into sharp focus and gives a visual reminder that life as they've known it is about to change.

Now, where do I sit?

Seeing other pregnant women in a waiting room can make you feel you are part of a select club, one which requires a unique entry pass. Many women enjoy this sense of unity with others. Alternatively, it can leave some with a vague sense of concern that they are really doing the right thing. Everyone else may be looking so much more confident and relaxed than you're feeling. Don t worry if you really can t get your head around exactly how you came to be there. You are all waiting for similar reasons, though each of you will have your own, unique story. These doubts are completely, utterly, 100 percent normal.

Your physical changes this week

• That sluggish feeling in your bowel is still an unwelcome guest. Many pregnant women find themselves thinking more about their bathroom habits than they really want to. Progesterone is the culprit, the hormone which works so well in relaxing muscle fibres. Fibre and lots of it, water, exercise, fresh juices especially orange and prune juice, as well as cereals with grains and wholemeal all help to relieve constipation. Stick with food and fluid based remedies rather than medication, no matter how "natural" they claim to be.
• It's citrus fruit time for you in week 13. Your uterus is the size of a grapefruit and just as full. You may be more conscious of feeling a heaviness when you sit down or at the end of the day.
• You may be looking a bit different around the tummy. More rounded with less of a defined waist and a bit of a pot around your navel. Not so much that you need to revolutionise your wardrobe quite yet, but just a bit softer in some way.
• If you've had babies before, you will probably find that you "show" earlier than if it is your first pregnancy. The muscles and ligaments which support your abdomen are more lax and have been stretched before. Winter time, with all its extra bulky clothing, can provide a perfect means of disguising an enlarging tummy. That's if you want to keep your news a secret for a while longer of course.
• If you are still feeling nauseous, you may find that eating 5-6 smaller meals a day is better than restricting yourself to the standard 3. Try not to wait too long before you eat and aim to keep your blood sugar at a steady level. There is research to support the fact that women who are pregnant with a boy, tend to eat more than if they are carrying a girl.