Week 13 of Pregnancy

As the first trimester comes to a close, your baby's about the size of peach, though you may not be feeling too peachy about your sex life right now.

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Your Baby in Week 13 of Pregnancy

What's up with your baby? Well, besides being as large as a peach now, that big old noggin of hers is now about half the size of her crown-to-rump length (that’s one reason why your little peach looks more like an alien from outer space at this point). By the time you give birth, her body will catch up, measuring three-quarters of her total size. What else is going on in there? Tiny bones are beginning to form in her arms and legs, the intestines are beginning to move from the umbilical cord to the abdomen, and the vocal cords are well under construction (the first step toward saying, "I love you, Mommy!"). And because she can move her arms and legs in a jerky fashion, she may be able to get her thumb into her mouth (a habit that may come in handy for self-soothing when she’s a newborn).

Your Body in Week 13 of Pregnancy

When it comes to sex during pregnancy, anything goes. You may feel hotter than ever while your husband is feeling anything but. Or, he may be entranced by your ripening breasts and belly, but his eager eyes (and hands) are just about the last things you want to feel on your body right now. This is all normal and it's likely to change (and maybe change again) as you get closer to delivery. Whether you're getting any action down there — and even if you're not — there's still certainly lots going on in your nether regions. You may start to notice leukorrhea, a thin, mild-smelling milky vaginal discharge that protects the birth canal from infection and keeps the bacteria in your vagina in a healthy balance. (Okay, now do you feel sexy?) This harmless discharge is likely to increase in the coming weeks, so keep plenty of panty liners in stock.

Week 13 Pregnancy Tip: Having Twins?

Your belly's already bursting out of the seams of your largest jeans, and you're just finishing up the first trimester. Could you be having twins? Maybe — especially if you have a history of fraternal twins in your family or you're over 35 (or both). But there are other more-likely explanations for your seemingly larger-than-life belly. For instance, it could be that your due date's off (and your bigger-than-expected belly's just the result of a bigger-than-expected baby). Or it could be that you're just full of it — gas, that is. Bloating can make a pregnant abdomen distend well beyond its weeks. Or it's possible that you're just taking the eating-for-two mandate a little too literally (you took everything you ate before you became pregnant and doubled it, leading to your early midsection expansion). To find out what's really going on in there, check with your practitioner at your next visit. Who knows — you just might have two buns in your oven after all. (You can't tell from the outside, no matter what your grandmother says!)

Week 13 Pregnancy Symptoms

Decreasing fatigue: Now that your body has had a trimester to adjust to pregnancy, you may be starting to feel a little less tired these days. Consider channeling your newfound energy into your workout routine — but don’t overdo it!

Breast tenderness and changes: The aches you’re feeling are largely due to estrogen, progesterone, and the increased fat and blood flow to your breasts. Pick bras with plenty of support to ease your discomfort.

Food cravings and aversions: If you still have a yen for weird foods, don’t be too hard on yourself. Do your best to find healthy foods that appeal to you, and give yourself permission to indulge in small portions of the junk foods you crave.

Heartburn or indigestion: During pregnancy, the muscle at the top of the stomach relaxes, allowing digestive acids to rise up into the esophagus — causing a burning in the chest. Reduce the pain by staying away from these heartburn triggers: alcohol, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, mint, citrus, and spicy or fatty foods.

Constipation: Your bowel muscles also relax during pregnancy (due to hormones), which means your bowels will be less efficient at moving waste out of your system. If you find yourself backed up, slowly start adding more high-fiber foods to your diet (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good picks).

Occasional faintness or dizziness: Still plagued by dizzy spells? Don’t get up from a sitting or prone position too quickly since this can trigger light-headedness. In the event that you do start to feel faint, immediately lie down or sit with your head between your knees

Visible veins on body: Though you may not find these veins a welcome sight, they’re actually a good thing —your increased blood supply is carrying much-needed nutrients to your baby. Even more good news: The vein network fades after you give birth.

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