Pregnancy Week 13: Pregnancy Exercising, Belly Bump, and Baby's Vocal Cords Develop

Week thirteen of your pregnancy is the last week in your first trimester. You should start feeling relief from your early pregnancy symptoms. I remember by the end of this week all my early pregnancy symptoms miraculously just disappeared. It seemed like it happened overnight. The other good news is that by the end of your thirteenth week of pregnancy you will start to gain more energy.

Pregnancy Week 13: Baby's Development

The biggest development happening this week is your baby's vocal cords are forming. It will take a little time for his vocal cords to completely develop but rest assured you will hear him laughing and crying in about six months.

Your baby starts growing rapidly by the end of week thirteen, and his head is becoming more proportional to his body. Your baby's size is now half head and half body. This will adjust to the point where your baby's head will be one-third of his body when he is born.

All of your baby's organs are continuing to mature. Your baby's ears can now hear, so start singing and talking to your belly. Your baby will soon recognize the sound of your voice.

Pregnancy Week 13: Mom's Belly Bump

You may have a little bump for a belly. This bump is actually your uterus pushing up on your intestines and squishing them in your abdomen. Your intestines are following the path of least resistance and making your belly bigger. If you haven't started wearing maternity clothes yet, then it is coming very soon.

Your uterus should be one finger-width above your pubic bone. If you press down on your abdomen towards your pelvic bone you should be able to feel the rounded top of your uterus.

Pregnancy Week 13: The End of Your First Trimester

As your first trimester comes to a close it is time to look forward to your second trimester. For the next three months you will have an increase in energy. Take advantage of this time to enjoy some exercise.

You can consider taking a yoga class or even trying a dance class designated for pregnant women. Walking is also excellent exercise. Try to take a daily stroll through the neighborhood or schedule time to do some mall walking.

Swimming is wonderful exercise that will make you feel better, more relaxed, and can be great exercise. Staying active will help you later in pregnancy, during labor, and as a new mommy.

For more pregnancy weeks and fetal development you can read:
Pregnancy Week 9

Pregnancy Week 10

Pregnancy Week 11

Pregnancy Week 12

Click here to find more information on your pregnancy and baby's development.

Sources:

Personal Experience

Fit Pregnancy (2009). Pregnancy Calendar. Retrieved: April 8, 9, 2009. Web Site: fitpregnancy.com/calendar/40251887.html

Myers-Gorrie, Trula, Slone-McKinney, Emily, & Smith-Murray, Sharon (1998). Foundations of Maternal-Newborn Nursing (2^nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company.

What to Expect (2009). Weekly Pregnancy Calendar. Retrieved:April 8, 9, 2009. Web Site: whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/week-by-week/landing.aspx