Week 13 of pregnancy: beginning of the fourth month and second trimester

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With the thirteenth week of pregnancy, the fourth month and second trimester of pregnancy begins. This means that the baby has successfully overcome its first stage of development and now the risk of abortion is lower.

The woman will also have gone through her first pregnancy control and will have been able to see her future son on an ultrasound. In addition, your belly will have increased noticeably in the last month and, with 13 weeks, the pregnancy will already be noticeable in sight.

Below you have an index with all the points that we will discuss in this article.

Index

Week 13 of pregnancy: beginning of the fourth month and second trimester

How is the fetus?

The organs and main structures of the fetus have already been formed in week 13 of pregnancy and, from this moment, they will develop and increase in size very quickly.

The measurement of the fetus with 13 weeks is about 7-8 cm and its weight reaches 13-22 g.

The face of the fetus looks more like that of a baby, although its head is still large: its eyes are closer together, its forehead is raised and bulging, the ears have also moved forward, etc.

Other changes that can be seen in fetal growth with 13 weeks are the following:

  • Development of the brain: the left and right cerebral hemispheres begin to connect and the motor fibers that control the movements mature.
  • Hematological system: red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen are formed in the liver.
  • The external genitalia can already be distinguished.
  • The intestinal loops are located inside the abdominal cavity, whose wall is already closed, and the umbilical cord passes through the umbilicus already formed.
  • All the bones of the hand and the fingerprints of their fingers have already been formed.
Embryonic development in week 13

In addition to all this, the fetus is very active inside the amniotic sac, as it moves freely floating in the amniotic fluid.



Changes in the mother

The most important change in the woman with thirteen weeks of pregnancy is the increase in weight and the widening of the body. The belly can look more bulky and, from now on, the woman will have to buy more baggy clothes that do not tighten her.

Other symptoms and changes in the body of women with 13 weeks of gestation are the following:

  • The breasts increase in volume, the aureolas also become larger and darker.
  • Discomfort and stitches in the pelvis because of the growth of the uterus. There may be pulls of the ligations in charge of joining the uterus to the abdominal wall.
  • Retention of liquids, which causes swelling of feet and ankles.
  • Intestinal discomfort, burning, acidity, gas and constipation.
  • Appearance of stretch marks.
  • Difficulty breathing, blockage of the nose and bleeding gums due to increased blood volume.
Swollen breasts in pregnancy

The tiredness and nausea of ??the first weeks of pregnancy disappear in this fourth month. The woman feels more energetic and it is now that she really begins to enjoy pregnancy.

Influenza vaccine

As of week 13 of pregnancy, the woman can already be vaccinated against the flu virus if it is the vaccination period (October and November).

Before this time of gestation, it is not possible to apply said vaccine because the fetus is in its maximum period of development and formation of the organs.

In general, the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) advises pregnant women to get vaccinated against influenza in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

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obstetrician in (Spain)

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