Congratulations! You’ve reached the first week of the second trimester and are now one-third of the way through your pregnancy.

At this point, your excitement might be hard to contain. It's up to you when to share your news, but many pregnant women feel like week 12 or week 13 is a good time to do so.

How many months is 13 weeks of pregnancy?

At 13 weeks pregnant you are in month 3 of your pregnancy. Only 6 months left to go! At this point, you may also start to feel more like yourself again.

Your baby is the size of a lemon, and their head is about half the size of their body’s total length. Don't worry if you feel like you’re looking at an alien during your next ultrasound. Your baby’s body is on its way to looking more proportional.

Week 13 Pregnancy Symptoms

Good news! Many pregnant women report feeling fewer symptoms of morning sickness and fatigue as they enter the second trimester. However, early pregnancy symptoms such as bloating, constipation, headaches, and breast tenderness are reported by some women throughout pregnancy. 

Vaginal Discharge

At 13 weeks, you might have noticed an increase in your vaginal discharge.

That discharge has a name. Leukorrhea is a normal discharge that is thin and milky in color and can be mild smelling or sometimes even odorless. It’s designed to help keep the birth canal clear of infections and promote the production of healthy bacteria in the vagina. 

However, if the discharge contains blood or appears green, yellow, or brown, contact your doctor or midwife.

Food Cravings and Aversions

Now that you’re feeling fewer nausea symptoms you should be able to get back to your normal diet, right? Don’t be surprised if you get hit with intense cravings or even turn your nose up at your favorite foods. Food cravings and food aversions are likely to pick up during the second trimester.

Feel free to indulge in your pregnancy cravings in moderation. However, make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need if you’re dealing with serious food aversions. For more information, check out the Nutrition During Pregnancy page from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

If you find yourself craving non-food substances such as clay, dirt, or toothpaste, contact your doctor. You may have a condition called pica. Luckily, pica during pregnancy isn’t super common.

Heartburn and Indigestion

Did you know that nearly half of moms experience heartburn during pregnancy according to the Cleveland Clinic? Despite the name and the burning sensation in your chest, heartburn doesn’t have anything to do with your heart. Acid reflux is the real culprit behind heartburn. Quick remedies for heartburn include eating yogurt or drinking a glass of milk.

Heartburn symptoms may appear in the second trimester and increase through the third trimester. Preventing heartburn during pregnancy can be as simple as making a few changes to your eating habits. Try eating more slowly and avoiding spicy or fried foods. Don’t take antacids until you’ve talked to your doctor. 

Sometimes, no matter what you eat or do, you may still experience symptoms of heartburn. If heartburn isn’t going away or if it is keeping you up at night, contact your prenatal care team. They may be able to prescribe medication that is safe for pregnancy.

Visible Veins

Don’t be alarmed if you begin to notice more purplish streaks and even stretch marks, especially along your breasts. Visible veins often appear in the first trimester, around Week 10, and will likely continue to become visible throughout your pregnancy. 

Visible veins in pregnancy are a byproduct of all of that extra blood your body started producing when you got pregnant. These veins are hard at work supplying your baby with the blood and nutrients they need. 

If you’re concerned about stretch marks or find your skin itching more than usual, check out our Sensible Certified Organic Belly Balm. Made with a blend of shea butter, jojoba oil, and calendula, our body balm is great for use anywhere your skin feels dry.

Dizziness and Fainting

Dizziness or vertigo is a completely normal and fairly common pregnancy symptom. Many women begin to experience dizziness around week 12 and into the second trimester. There are a lot of factors that can contribute to dizziness in pregnancy, such as increased blood flow, hormonal changes, and even higher body temperature.

If you’re concerned about dizziness, take precautions like not driving or working out until you’ve consulted your doctor.

Baby on Board

At 13 weeks pregnant, your baby should be around 3 inches long and weigh about 1 ounce. It might not seem like much, but only a few weeks ago, they were just the size of a kidney bean! Their eyes are moving into position, and their wrists and ankles are already well-formed. Your baby’s body is growing quickly, and soon their head and body will look more proportional. 

Under Construction: Wrists and Ankles

Your baby has been hard at work developing bones the past few weeks, and this week their wrists and ankles are coming together. Your little one will begin moving their arms in a jerky fashion, and they might soon be able to bring their thumb to their mouth. 

Under Construction: Vocal Cords

The vocal cords are also starting to form in week 13. You can’t hear your baby yet, but those vocal cords will be put to good use once your little one is born. 

Under Construction: Intestines

Your baby’s intestines are making moves! This week, their intestines will move from inside the umbilical cord to their abdomen.

What to Wear This Week

Now that you’re starting to feel more like yourself, you may want to dress like you did before pregnancy. But your body has undergone some serious changes in the last three months, so consider investing in maternity clothes that will take you through the second and third trimesters. 

The Madeline Smocked Nursing and Maternity Dress is a stylish smocked style dress that can be worn on or off the shoulders. The romantic puff sleeves and flattering square neckline will have you feeling trendy and stylish while the breezy cotton fabric will keep you cool. Did we mention that this dress also has nursing functionality that will come in handy if you decide to breastfeed? Simply pull down or lift the bodice to reveal an inner layer with crossover nursing access.

You may need a maternity bra to wear under those stylish maternity clothes you’re getting. We can’t recommend our Minimalist Maternity & Nursing Bra enough. Our modern nursing T-shirt bra features a plunging neckline and a sleek profile, making it a great choice for everyday wear or even special occasions. You won’t have to worry about bunching cups or uncomfortable straps with this bra since it features fixed padding and adjustable straps.

Renewed energy have you feeling up for some exercise? The Louisa Maternity & Postpartum Support Leggings are designed to support your growing baby bump while you work out. These Mom’s Choice Award Gold Winner leggings feature a foldable, ultra-high, stretchy waist panel that reaches up to the underbust. We promise you’ll want to keep a pair of these (or two!) in your wardrobe to transition from pregnancy to breastfeeding. They’re available in Classic Style or Pocket Style, which features pockets deep enough for your cell phone and keys.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice that has been medically reviewed. Please reach out to your health care team with any questions.