13 weeks pregnant
Your pregnancy is now entering the first week of the second trimester. For those who claim to be the best phase, this is because the excessive tiredness and nausea at the beginning stop and the belly does not yet weigh.
The first exams have already been done or are about to happen and you will be calmer in knowing that your baby is developing very well. You feel more and more like a mother, especially after seeing your baby’s face and listening to his heartbeat.
You may already know your baby’s gender. If you haven’t been able to see it yet, don’t be sad or so anxious, from the 16th week onwards this should happen, but you can already start tidying up the house for his or her arrival.
Want to know some details of how your baby is doing this week and how you must be feeling? So, keep reading.
And remember that the information is just an average. Do not compare your pregnancy with that of other women. Symptoms, the rate of development and even the growth of the belly vary widely.
Baby development
Hands and feet are formed and now your baby has fingerprints, which are unique to each person. Bones and muscles are firmer and the neck has developed, which allows the head to move more easily.
The baby’s size is between 6.5 to 8 cm and the weight is between 25 g to 28 g, a tangerine or a peach. In the coming weeks, it will grow even more, about 1 cm per week and between 20 and 30 grams, with a greater weight gain from the 20th week.
The central nervous system is complete, but it only develops 1 year after birth. The head will slow down and grow in proportion to the body. The organs, already fully formed, will mature until the end of pregnancy.
As the kidneys are functioning, your baby pees with an interval of 30 minutes. The placenta already protects the baby and eliminates waste.
What happens to mom
More and more you look like you’re pregnant. The hips become wider and with the expansion of the uterus, your belly will appear. Sickness gives rise to increased appetite.
The symptoms in this second trimester are different. You may experience headaches, memory failures, back pain, heartburn, swelling, constipation, nasal constipation, pain in the uterine ligament and hemorrhoids.
Reinforcing that you can have the symptoms, you don’t necessarily have to. Many women reach the end of pregnancy presenting only a few. There are ways to alleviate or avoid it, talk to your doctor.
As for weight gain, it is recommended that this week you have put on about 2 kg. If you are overweight, it is best to reduce your intake of sugars and fat.
Care that should be taken at this stage
Taking care of food is one of the main precautions to have a more peaceful, healthy pregnancy and to alleviate or avoid some problems such as heartburn, constipation and bloating, as well as weight gain beyond the recommended.
Caloric wear and tear during pregnancy is very great and both mother and baby need nutrients both to stay healthy and, in the case of the baby, to develop properly.
A good diet during pregnancy will influence the baby’s life later. This results in childhood obesity, nutritional deficiency and other factors that can trigger other diseases.
Foods rich in calcium and fiber are strong allies for strengthening bones and teeth and favor the digestive system. Even if this increases the number of visits to the bathroom, drink plenty of fluids, giving preference to those with less sugars and reducing sodium intake.
Consultations with the doctor are of great importance, not only for the baby, but for your health. In addition to the doctor monitoring the evolution of the pregnancy, he will advise on health care and answer all your doubts.
Enjoy the change of your body. Your waistline will disappear for weeks, your hips will increase and your belly will stretch a lot. Do not wear tight clothes and abuse body moisturizers to avoid stretch marks.
Pain of the round ligament of the uterus
As the uterus grows, the round ligament, or muscle fiber, stretches and becomes tensioned, like an elastic band, causing some discomfort. The opposite also happens, that is, it contracts and causes spasms.
There are some measures to deal with this nuisance. Between them:
– massages, which must be done by a specialized doctor
– warm baths or compresses
– avoid standing or sitting too long, changing positions more often.
– Rest and change the side that is lying down
– Talk to your doctor about any pain. Never take medication without his knowledge.
Lactose intolerance in pregnancy
The orientation of a diet rich in calcium is extremely important during pregnancy. It is recommended at approximately 1000 milligrams per day. However, some women have lactose intolerance, which prevents intake of milk and milk products. For those who cannot or do not like dairy products, there are other foods rich in calcium that substitute very well. Here are some examples:
– Chickpeas
– Spinach
– Chia
– Prune
– Dried Fig
– Cabbage
– Broccoli
– Fish
– Tofu
– Almond
There are currently a variety of dairy products without lactose. And your doctor may also prescribe a calcium supplement.