Discover what to expect during the 13th week of pregnancy to week 17 from body changes and symptoms to baby development and early movement. Read all about it here
Weekly Development of Pregnancy (13–17 Weeks)
Your womb continues to grow in size from one day to the next. During this time, your womb will start filling in your pelvic cavity and expanding outwards, giving the impression of a soft smooth ball.
Your womb continues to grow in size from one day to the next. During this time, it will start filling in your pelvic cavity and expanding outwards, giving the impression of a soft smooth ball. Around the 13th week of pregnancy, you may begin transitioning from your usual clothes to more comfortable pregnancy garments. As your body weight increases, you may experience back and lower back aches. Avoiding strenuous tasks is highly recommended during the 13th week of pregnancy and beyond. Excessive bending, stretching, or lifting can strain the spinal cord and contribute to back pain. These weeks mark the approach to the middle of your pregnancy. You may now feel a stronger bond with your growing baby. Many of the initial discomforts experienced during early pregnancy typically fade around the 13th week of pregnancy. However, due to changes in blood vessels and blood dilution, you might experience minor issues such as gum and nosebleeds or nasal congestion. These can be managed by avoiding overly warm or dry environments and maintaining a humid atmosphere in your living space.
During these weeks, especially starting from the 13th week of pregnancy, your baby’s body begins to develop more rapidly, leading to a more balanced proportion between the head and the rest of the body. By now, your baby is roughly the size of your palm. Bone structures in the arms and legs continue to strengthen. From the 16th week onward, many mothers begin to feel tiny baby movements, often described as twitches or a fluttering sensation. The baby’s entire body and head are now covered with fine hair called lanugo. The sebaceous and sweat glands become active during this stage. The digestive system, including the stomach and gall bladder, is developing and beginning to produce the first stools in the intestines. Kidney function continues, with urine being passed into the amniotic fluid. The baby’s brain has begun to regulate heart function, resulting in more consistent heartbeats. Swallowing and sucking reflexes are also forming, preparing the baby for life outside the womb. By the end of the 17th week, your baby measures approximately 12 cm in length and weighs around 120 grams.
We’ve talked about what changes are to be expected from the 13th week of pregnancy to the 17th week of pregnancy.
