Why at 13 weeks of pregnancy. Respiratory and digestive systems

13th week of pregnancy- a time when the well-being of the expectant mother improves significantly. First trimester behind us, the results of the first screening are ready. At this time, major worries go away, and you think more often about pleasant things. You can devote more time to choosing a children's trousseau and take care of the comfort of your own clothes.

Even pregnancy progresses normally, heartburn may occur. The growing uterus causes the organs in the abdominal cavity to shift, which can result in heartburn and/or shortness of breath. The expectant mother begins to get more tired from ordinary activities: walking, climbing stairs. You may feel a feeling of heaviness in your legs. Therefore, you should rest more and listen carefully to the signals of your body.

If you are worried about tension in the uterine area, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Increased uterine tone is quite common. Before consulting a doctor, it is recommended to lie down more and reduce physical activity.

What does the baby look like at the thirteenth week of pregnancy?

The 13th week of pregnancy is the time when the average weight of the fetus reaches 20 g, and the length of the future baby is about 7.5-8 cm. These sizes are comparable to a nectarine - a wonderful fruit, also known as a smooth peach.

Hormonal levels usually level out during this period, which means that causeless mood changes are not bothered, and nausea disappears. If the urge to urinate was frequent, this area also returns to normal. At this time, you can take measures to prevent possible swelling or constipation.

The baby does not stop growing and developing. His movements are very active, his sleep time is short. At this time, muscles and bone tissue are formed, limbs develop. The ratio of the size of the fetal body and head is becoming more and more proportional.

By the 13th week of pregnancy, the baby has already formed all of its baby teeth., and the pancreas is already producing the first portions of insulin. The digestive system continues to form. During this period, the vocal apparatus is formed, and the appearance begins to acquire characteristic features.

The mood of the expectant mother in the thirteenth week of pregnancy.

At this stage, the tummy is not yet noticeable for everyone. It can be very successfully camouflaged in the folds of loose clothing. But those around you can already draw conclusions from the fact that you have switched to more comfortable shoes. Heel height is an individual issue; not everyone is ready to give up their usual shoes. But this requires the development of pregnancy, and it’s better to switch to low heels now.

Due to the fact that most superstitions and fears disappear, the woman becomes calmer, more open and sociable. The mood is most often good, the level of anxiety decreases, and self-confidence increases. Many remember this period as a time of complete peace.

Diet and eating habits in the thirteenth week of pregnancy.

13th week of pregnancy- the time when signs of toxicosis disappear, and the mood remains consistently good. Against this background, appetite may increase. It is not always possible to control it, but you should reduce the amount of flour and sweets. Do not get carried away with fried and salty foods, spicy seasonings, and smoked foods. Too many raw vegetables or fruits can lead to excess fluid in the body and unnecessary stress on the kidneys. Therefore, it is better to alternate fresh vegetables and salads with stewed or steamed ones.

Excess weight gained can cause serious problems and complications during childbirth. Love yourself and eat what you want, but still keep it in moderation. Let fruits and vegetables, cottage cheese, lean meat, and bread with added bran be at the top of your list of favorite foods.

13th week of pregnancy and examination plan.

For most women, the 13th week of pregnancy is the time when the first screening has already been completed and the main series of tests have been taken. This means that you only need to take a general urine test.

In the examination schedule for At 12-13 weeks they usually plan to have a smear test with a dermatovenerologist. It is safe and not painful. As a result of this study, a picture of the state of the vaginal flora is obtained and the presence of genitourinary diseases is determined.

New sensations and changes? at the thirteenth week of pregnancy.

Breast sensitivity remains the same or increases. The mammary glands continue to grow, so you have to choose a new, more comfortable bra. Discharge from the nipples may already appear - the so-called colostrum, this is normal.

Hormonal changes in the body often lead to increased pigmentation on the body. The area around the nipple darkens, light brown spots may appear on the face, and a dark stripe from the navel to the pubis. These are temporary changes and will disappear after childbirth.

13th week of pregnancy is a good time to choose comfortable trousers with an elastic front panel. Pay attention to the characteristics of the fabric and its suitability for the season. In new clothes you will only seem more beautiful.

Pregnancy at 13 weeks begins to please the vast majority of women. This is the time when the symptoms of the adaptation period cease to bother you. The woman is already accustomed to the fact that in the near future she will be growing a new life within herself.

Therefore, nausea and vomiting stop bothering me. Blood pressure is normalized and dizziness is less bothersome. Those who in the first weeks felt constant drowsiness, tiredness and fatigue begin to experience a vigorous thirst for activity. They become active and cheerful. Sudden mood swings also decrease, and tearfulness disappears. The preparation for growth is over. Now the baby needs to grow day by day. The expectant mother has the opportunity to optimize nutrition and physical activity. This will help you get positive emotions from pregnancy. Reducing the risk of premature termination is also encouraging. So it begins.

13 weeks is how many months?

Obstetricians and gynecologists calculate the gestational age from the first day of the last menstrual bleeding. In this case, pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. This method is most convenient because most women do not know the time of ovulation. And only those who used artificial insemination know the moment of conception. Therefore, to calculate gestation periods, the concept of an obstetric week is used.

A period of 13 weeks corresponds to 3 months and 1 week. The main thing in this period is the transition to the second trimester of pregnancy.

Will an ultrasound show the sex of the baby at this stage?

Not only pregnant women themselves want to know the sex of the child. Future dads are waiting for news about a boy or daughter, sometimes even more! What about future grandparents, co-workers and neighbors? They have the same question: “Who are you waiting for?” Therefore, the question to the gynecologist is: “Who will I have?” At week 13, the baby already has genitals. They can be examined during an ultrasound. At this stage, the scrotum with the penis in boys and the labia majora in girls have already been formed. These are the signs that specialists look for on the monitor of an ultrasound machine. It would seem that what is so difficult? However, not all so simple. Several factors influence the reliability of gender determination:

• the degree of development of the baby’s external genitalia;
• their condition. If a girl has swelling of the labia majora and clitoris, they can easily be mistaken for male organs;
• the position in which the baby is at the time of the study. Thus, a loop of the umbilical cord can be mistaken for the penis;
• ultrasound quality. Not all devices have high resolution for visualizing the genital organs in such a short period of time;
• doctor's qualifications.

All this will complicate the diagnosis and make it insufficiently accurate. Most experts recommend determining gender using ultrasound after 15 weeks. The method reaches maximum accuracy at 22-24 weeks. At the same time, the genitals are sufficiently pronounced, and the baby has enough space for a specialist to see them.

Some families have a predisposition to serious medical illnesses. They are inherited. Their manifestation depends on the gender of the child. So, hemophilia manifests itself in boys. In this case, gender should be determined as early and accurately as possible. For this we use:

• laboratory blood test of a pregnant woman. At 13 weeks, this test is the optimal combination of effectiveness and low invasiveness. It uses venous blood;
• Chorionic puncture. This is a method of biopsy of villi - outgrowths of the placenta. In this case, it is possible to obtain genetic material that matches the genetic material of the unborn child. The method is traumatic and is carried out as prescribed by a doctor.

Is it possible to feel movements at 13 weeks?

The expectant mother does a lot for the growth and development of her baby: she monitors nutrition, does exercises, and changes her rhythm of life. She is looking forward to its first manifestations. Movements, hiccups, and movement of the baby in the stomach are his signals.

Now the baby is swimming in amniotic fluid. The bubble in which it is located is not large enough - the baby actively moves in it and does not come into contact with the inner lining of the uterus. Since sensitive nerve fibers are located only in the uterus, and there are none in the bladder, it is not yet possible to feel the movement of the unborn child. Everything has its time. He will show himself yet. We need to wait a little.

What happens to the baby at 13 weeks of pregnancy

Inside the uterus, a tiny organism continues to grow and develop. Every day he acquires new skills, grows, and gains weight. He becomes more and more like a man. His proportions and tiny face change.

Fruit size and weight

The baby’s length according to the CTE at week 13 is 6.5-10 cm. He will grow rapidly throughout the second trimester. The baby reached a record weight of 15-20 grams. This parameter will increase faster in the third trimester. These height and weight indicators are not yet great, but they are normal. It's only begining!

Fetal development

In parallel with the increase in height and weight, the baby is developing rapidly. He is expanding his skills. Its structure becomes more complicated:

• brain continues to improve and grow in size;
• height heads slows down a little and the proportions begin to approach those of a newborn. The bones of the skull are strengthened;
• baby teeth(20) completed their education;
• skin pattern on finger phalanges becomes individual;
• responsible for sucking facial muscles continue to develop;
• movements appear lips;
• larynx finally formed the basis. It is she who will subsequently help the baby make sounds;
• eyes continue their movement towards the nose from the lateral surfaces of the skull. Their original place is occupied by the ears;
• V intestines the number of villi increases. It fits in the abdominal cavity;
• pancreas insulin is produced. Thanks to this hormone, the metabolism of glucose and glycogen in the body is regulated;
• blood cell synthesis continues in the liver, bone marrow, spleen. The formation of B lymphocytes begins. They are synthesized in the spleen and will become the basis for the baby’s resistance to infections;
• V ovaries The girls already have about 2 million eggs. Prostate boys are actively developing;
• sense organs are actively working. The baby sniffs the amniotic fluid and tastes it. Right now he is getting used to his mother’s diet. If you consume some foods during pregnancy and others after childbirth, there is a high risk that your baby will refuse to breastfeed. Therefore, it is recommended to adhere to proper nutrition, which will continue after childbirth;
• Grow arms and legs. Their muscles become larger and stronger.

What happens to mom at 13 weeks of pregnancy

With normal well-being after a difficult first trimester, expectant mothers begin to feel the joys of future motherhood. Hormones continue to rage in a woman’s body. This may externally manifest itself as light pigment spots on the face. The color of the nipple and halos may also change. The line connecting the pubis and navel continues to darken. The first tiny discharges of colostrum may begin. If this is the case, you need to take care of comfortable underwear of the right size. It must be made of natural fabrics, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid scuffs.

Uterus size

The size of the uterus at 13 weeks depends on many reasons. The main ones are:

• the correctness of processes during pregnancy;
• the number of growing fetuses in the uterus;
• presence of infectious pathogens.

In a normal pregnancy, if there is one fetus in the uterus, its standing height (HH) is determined to be 11 cm. In a multiple pregnancy, this figure will be higher and will directly depend on the number of babies in the uterus.

Feelings at 13 weeks

What, besides joy from past toxicosis, can an expectant mother feel? The main sensations may be:

• It becomes a great joy reducing trips to the toilet. The uterus now takes up more space in the abdominal cavity and puts less pressure on the bladder. This is why a woman stops emptying her bladder so often.
• Heartburn. A burning sensation or warmth behind the breastbone may appear later. However, those who experience heartburn this early should urgently optimize their diet. A banana in your purse, cottage cheese in the refrigerator at work, etc. will become worthy snacks. Small healthy meals excluding fried and fatty foods will help get rid of heartburn;
• Increased appetite. A woman who ate poorly and felt constant nausea in the first trimester has a huge temptation to eat everything at once! And, at first glance, she should start eating more. No matter how it is! It is precisely when suffering from a voracious appetite that you need to limit yourself. It is very difficult. For proper nutrition, you need to divide your daily food into 5-6 meals. While eating, do not be distracted by watching TV. Eat slowly. Only this behavior will help not cause digestive disorders during this period. In a later period, this will not lead to overeating and excess weight gain.
• Heaviness in the legs. It seems that with such a tiny increase in weight, the legs cannot get so tired. But here again hormones play their role. They provoke fatigue, heaviness, and sometimes even nagging pain in the legs. In this case, comfortable shoes will help. It is advisable to give up heels - while maintaining your health, you will still have time to show off in stiletto heels after giving birth.

Mom's weight at 13 weeks, permissible increase

The baby is growing, and the expectant mother is adding weight. How much should you weigh? Weight gain and loss at 13 weeks, as in previous periods, will depend on how much the woman weighed before pregnancy. For thin ladies with a Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 19.8, an increase of 2.35 kg over 13 weeks will be considered normal. They gain more actively than their larger friends with the same weight. With a BMI of 19.8-26, the acceptable weight gain will be 1.7 kg. If the initial BMI was more than 26, then the desired increase would be 0.95 kg. With this ratio, thin women will gain about 15 kg during a normal pregnancy, and large representatives of the fair sex will gain only 9. This becomes clear if we remember that weight gain is not only due to the fetus, amniotic fluid, placenta, etc. , but also due to stored fats for breastfeeding.

Other indicators of weight gain will occur during multiple pregnancies. The more babies are expected, the more weight the mother will gain.

Belly size at 13 weeks of pregnancy

The long-awaited time has come when the tummy no longer hides its interesting tenant. Nowadays, most expectant mothers are asked about pregnancy. Some have already had to change their clothes to more spacious ones. Some people make do with the old one. Whether you decide to purchase a “maternity wardrobe” or stick to regular models, do not allow your belly to shrink or tighten. This may impair the baby's blood supply.

The abdominal circumference is measured by the gynecologist at each examination. This indicator in the second trimester will indirectly indicate an enlargement of the uterus. The doctor will be most interested in seeing the rate of increase in abdominal girth. In later stages, this indicator will help calculate the expected weight of the child.

The increase in centimeters, as well as a woman’s weight, will depend on her constitutional characteristics and weight before pregnancy. This is a strictly individual indicator. When measuring it, the following rules must be observed:

• The measurement is made with a flexible measuring tape.
• Measurements are taken in a supine position with the knees extended and the knee and hip joint extended. In this case, there will be constant stretching of the abdominal wall and the condition of the spinal column.
• Each measurement should be taken after emptying the bladder. In this case, it will not cause errors when recording data.
• To get a true reading, the tailoring tape should go from the deepest curve of the spine to the navel.

The tape should fit snugly against the skin, but not cut into it.

Uterus

The baby is growing and the uterus, its container, is also increasing in volume. For most women, it extends beyond the pelvis. In this case, the norm for the height of the uterine fundus is fixed at 11 cm. Of course, this figure will be correct only if there is 1 baby in the uterus. If the pregnancy is multiple, then it can be larger. Pregnancy with twins at 13 weeks will be manifested by an increase in the height of the uterine fundus by 0.5-1 cm.

Discharge

Most indicators of well-being improve from the first days of the second trimester. However, this may not apply to discharge. Even ordinary (transparent, viscous, odorless) odorless discharge can become even more abundant.

Discharges that differ from normal are a sign of existing problems:

• Curdled white Discharge during pregnancy is often a sign of thrush. They are abundant, with a sour smell. In addition to the discharge, there is a burning and itching in the vagina, which intensifies in the evening. In this case, pain may occur during sexual intercourse. The question of treating or not treating thrush should not arise. A clear decision to sanitize the vagina is made in the second trimester.
• If the discharge yellow or green, abundant, with an unpleasant odor, you should consult a doctor. The accompanying itching, burning, soreness, and increased body temperature indicate an inflammatory process. Its appearance is based on an infectious agent. Don't put off treatment for too long. Help your baby grow up in favorable conditions. Yellow and green discharge is a sign of inflammation of various origins. This color can appear with staphylococcal or gonococcal infections. They can be provoked by E. coli and Trichomonas. Signs of inflammation with them can be the same: itching, burning, redness, rise in temperature. The only way to get rid of the disease is to carry out full treatment.
• The appearance of blood in the discharge is the most dangerous symptom. If it is detected, you must immediately seek medical help. Bloody, including brown, pink and beige discharge can serve as a sign of various pathological conditions. The most dangerous of these is premature termination of pregnancy. Therefore, do not delay your visit to the doctor - take care of your health.

Pain at 13 weeks of pregnancy

Painful sensations warn of serious changes in the body that require treatment. That is why they frighten pregnant women so much. The first trimester is behind us and panic at the slightest change in condition is no longer observed.

If there is nagging pain on the sides of the abdomen (usually on the right), pain localized in the sacrum and coccyx, and in a sitting or lying position it decreases or disappears, then this sensation only speaks of the body’s intensive preparation for further pregnancy and childbirth. The ligaments of the uterus, as well as the connecting bones of the pelvis and spine, change. They soften and stretch. This causes pain.

In this case, you need to sit or lie down and relax. Sometimes rubbing your back helps. My stomach hurts and feels tight, my chest enlarged and roughened, the lower back makes itself felt with every movement. There's nothing to worry about. This is pregnancy. As well as temperature at 13 weeks of pregnancy up to 37°C, such pain is normal.

What pains can be dangerous?

If the pain is intense, forces you to wake up, immediately stop what you are doing, or differs from what was previously observed, you need to consult a specialist. Especially if they are accompanied by other symptoms:

• A sore throat may be combined with increased body temperature, weakness, and difficulty swallowing.
• Stomach ache may begin with heartburn, nausea or vomiting. It can occur after a certain period of time after eating.
• Pain in right side may be combined with stool disturbances, nausea, and bitterness in the mouth.
• Pain in the ovary may be accompanied by pain in the ligaments of the uterus and be a normal manifestation of pregnancy. However, its appearance in combination with an increase in body temperature, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, itching and discomfort is not normal and requires medical attention.
• If my stomach hurts along with increased frequency and pain when urinating, vomiting, fever, vaginal discharge - this is also a sign of a disease that requires treatment.
• Hip pain occurs quite often during pregnancy. In most cases, it occurs against the background of hormonal changes, mechanical pressure of the fetus and insufficient calcium absorption. In this case, pain should be perceived as an individual manifestation of pregnancy and rest more. However, if pain occurs against the background of an existing joint disease, injury, accompanied by fever, rash and pain in other joints, this may be a sign of a disease and in this case treatment is required.
• If it hurts back and this leads to a significant limitation of mobility (inability to turn, bend, etc.) or there is an increase in temperature, rashes, cough, you need to consult a doctor.
• Headache may occur when blood pressure changes due to hormonal changes. We try to prevent them by avoiding sudden movements, proper physical regimen and nutrition. If your head hurts along with a fever, cough, runny nose, etc., this is a sign of a disease that requires the attention of a specialist.

Tests and studies at 13 weeks of pregnancy

The second trimester begins and during this period its own issues arise that must be monitored. The following studies will help resolve them:

• Blood test (general) with protein determination.
• Blood test (general).
• Blood test with determination of coagulogram, lupus anticoagulant, antibodies to phospholipids, to hCG.
• Blood test to determine antibodies to the causative agent of rubella, toxoplasmosis, herpes, CMV infection.
• Smear and PCR for infections.
• Blood test to determine antibodies to Rhesus and group types in case of incompatibility. Ultrasound.

Frozen pregnancy at 13 weeks

Cessation of fetal development in the second trimester is much less common. However, due to infections or other reasons, this can happen. The danger comes from a situation where no signs of pathology are detected. Then there is a danger of missing the fading of pregnancy and identifying it at the stage of intoxication.

Cessation of fetal development can be manifested by a sudden cessation of all complaints that appeared during pregnancy (including chest pain), cramping abdominal pain, and vaginal discharge (bloody or purulent). These symptoms should promptly consult a doctor. Therefore, to the question: “ What to do if your breasts stop hurting“, you need to answer unequivocally - consult a doctor.

• Proper nutrition.
• Active lifestyle.
• Healthy sex.
• Vitamins in food. Take vitamin complexes only after consultation with your doctor.

The 13th week of pregnancy is another milestone for the expectant mother. All the first troubles and worries are left behind, and it would seem that a period of calm has arrived when you can rest, relax and enjoy your new state and status. However, we should not forget that there is still a lot of time before giving birth, and a woman may still experience difficulties, for example, in the form of edema or constipation. You need to be prepared for them, so the period of calm that occurs in the 13th week of pregnancy should be devoted to preventive measures.

13th week of pregnancy - what happens during this period?

The 13th week of pregnancy is already a significant period during which the baby grows very quickly inside the mother’s womb. During this period of time, the hormones raging in the female body begin to slowly calm down. The expectant mother begins to notice that incomprehensible mood swings are happening less and less often, there are fewer emotional outbursts, and those anxieties that arose in the first weeks of pregnancy now seem insignificant and even ridiculous. Frequent urination no longer occurs, the appetite of a pregnant woman at the 13th week of pregnancy improves significantly, and nausea associated with toxicosis is practically absent.

It is important for every woman to understand after 13 weeks of pregnancy what is happening in her body and how correctly the baby is developing. At this time, the uterus is already beginning to gradually descend into the abdominal cavity. Actually, due to such processes, some displacement of the internal organs occurs, which leads to the occurrence of such unpleasant symptoms as heartburn and shortness of breath. If a pregnant woman walks a lot, she may feel very tired and heavy in her limbs. Therefore, medical experts recommend that women in the 13th week of pregnancy get more rest, spend not too much time on walks, take them in doses, and walk at a leisurely pace.

High uterine tone should always cause concern for the expectant mother, and becomes a reason for an immediate visit to the doctor. If a woman feels “petrification” in her stomach at the 13th week of pregnancy, she should eliminate any stress, lie down and rest. And at the first opportunity, visit your gynecologist.

Belly at 13 weeks of pregnancy

At the 13th week of pregnancy, your baby is literally growing by the clock. The belly at the 13th week of pregnancy, a photo of which readers can see just above, can sometimes ache. Painful sensations arise, as a rule, due to the high tone of the uterus.

In addition to abdominal pain, with high uterine tone, strong stretching is felt in the lower abdomen. If such situations occur very often, then the best option would be to consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe the optimal remedy to help normalize uterine tone (for example, Ginipral).

If the condition of a pregnant woman during this period of time is not too difficult, then simply lying down and resting is enough to relieve pain. In order not to provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus, you need to lift less weight, try not to walk in high heels, and not be nervous. All these incidents only contribute to an increase in the tone of the uterus, which, in turn, causes pain to the pregnant woman. By the way, another cause of pain in the lower abdomen at the 13th week of pregnancy is gases accumulated in the intestines. A review of your diet and exclusion from your menu of some harmful foods that contribute to gas formation will help eliminate this problem.

At the 13th week of pregnancy, there is already an external sign of the woman’s interesting condition, manifested in a significantly rounded tummy. Although here everything depends on the individual characteristics of the female body. Sometimes a rounded belly at the 13th week of pregnancy looks as if the woman has simply gained weight.

13 weeks of pregnancy, fetal development and its features

After 13 weeks of pregnancy, the size of the fetus in the mother's womb changes noticeably. The completion of the first trimester of pregnancy in the fetus already shows changes in internal and external organs. In particular, during intrauterine development in the 13th week, the following processes occur in the baby’s body:

1. The production of the first insulin by the pancreas begins;
2. Bone tissue and muscles are formed;
3. Initial formation of the vocal apparatus;
4. Gender determination occurs. If in the earlier stages only the genital tubercle is visible in the fetus, then by the 13th week of pregnancy it has already transformed into either the clitoris or the penis. During the same period of time, the formation of the prostate gland or germ cells begins;
5. The digestive system is actively developing, villi appear in the fetal intestines, which subsequently help with the processes of digestion and nutrition;
6. At the 13th week of pregnancy, the fetal heart already begins to pump about 23 liters of fluid per day;
7. The formation of baby teeth is completed;
8. The weight of the fetus is 15-25 grams, while the child’s body grows much faster than the head.

Changes also occur in the emotional and mental spheres of the fetus:

• The movements of the embryo become more orderly;
• The baby inside the womb is already beginning to distinguish the smell and taste of the food that the mother eats. It should be understood that during this period of time the baby develops his own taste preferences, so after birth he will like or dislike specific food groups, depending on whether the mother ate them at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy;
• The fetus has reactions to the outside world. The child begins to feel touch, hear sounds, distinguish between silence, light and darkness, heat and cold;
• During intrauterine development, at the 13th week of pregnancy, the baby develops new interests and skills. For example, during this period of time he already knows how to swallow, yawn, suck, smile, make funny faces and react to external stimuli in other ways.

Experts in the field of pregnancy planning and control over intrauterine development of the fetus note that the 13th week of pregnancy is one of the calmest and most favorable for a woman. It is at this time that the expectant mother can already begin communicating with her baby, because he will hear her, catch intonations, and enjoy emotional contact with the closest person.

Ultrasound at 13 weeks of pregnancy, norms

Every woman needs to know, when doing an ultrasound at 13 weeks of pregnancy, the standards that should be followed. This will help determine how significant the abnormalities in fetal development are, and whether they exist at all. It should be noted that if before this period of time the pregnancy proceeded without any special complications, then an ultrasound at the 13th week may well be the first since conception. After 13 weeks of pregnancy, a photo of the fetus taken during an ultrasound helps to find out a lot of useful information about the condition of the fetus and the characteristics of its development. This procedure is a great opportunity to meet your baby for the first time and listen to his heart beat.

And during an ultrasound examination, the doctor will have the opportunity to see and evaluate some factors. For example, by looking at an ultrasound photo at the 13th week of pregnancy, the doctor will be able to assess the vital signs of the fetus, see serious pathologies of the fetus (if any), and conduct a screening test to detect chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

An ultrasound at the 13th week of the study helps to determine how many fetuses are in the mother’s womb and most accurately determine the timing of the onset of labor.

Ultrasound at the 13th week of pregnancy, screening norms

Ultrasound screening standards at the 13th week of pregnancy are a special procedure that doctors recommend to be carried out between the 11th and 16th weeks. Screening research is divided into two types - ultrasound and biochemical. The main purpose of such a study is to identify chromosomal diseases in the fetus. During screening, the fetus is checked for transparency and thickness of the collar zone, nasal bone and its size. In addition, during a screening examination, tests are taken from a pregnant woman to determine the presence of proteins in the blood and to check hormonal levels.

During ultrasound screening, the fetus is also checked for the presence of various physical defects. Depending on the results of such a study and the age of the expectant mother, the likelihood of carrying a sick baby, with an incorrect number of chromosomes or other pathologies is determined. If the screening test is 1:350 or lower, the risk of developing abnormalities in the fetus is highest. The screening procedure allows us to determine the presence of possible deviations and disorders of the chromosomal structure, but its results do not at all indicate that such deviations can provoke the development of fetal pathologies.

Ultrasound video at 13 weeks of pregnancy

An ultrasound video at the 13th week of pregnancy shows the doctor not so much the gender of the baby as the presence of possible pathologies in the fetus. After all, any negative conditions in a baby that arise during intrauterine development are much easier to prevent at an earlier stage. In addition, video ultrasound allows you to obtain a detailed image, with which a pregnant woman can subsequently contact a specialist for advice.

Discharge at 13th week of pregnancy

Discharge at the 13th week of pregnancy gradually changes in intensity. In many pregnant women, during this period they become more liquid and intense, but the smell and color do not change. Actually, this description of discharge is typical for the 13th week of pregnancy; there is nothing unusual about it. The alarm should be raised if the discharge during this period of time becomes cheesy, bubbly, and causes discomfort, pain, irritation, itching, and burning in the expectant mother. In this case, you should immediately visit your doctor, because all these signs may indicate a threat of miscarriage or the presence of sexually transmitted infections. In addition, changes in the color of the discharge to red, brown, green, yellow and the appearance of a pungent odor are considered dangerous symptoms.

In the 13th week of pregnancy, bleeding can occur quite often, but many of them are not a reason to panic. However, it is still worth visiting a doctor and getting advice from him, since such bleeding can also be caused by pathological conditions, in particular:

• Consequences of hematoma;
• Placenta previa or abruption;
• Physical violations of the integrity of the cervix;
• The tendency of blood vessels to break;
• Neoplasms in the genital area and uterus;
• Falls, severe bruises in the abdominal area.

Note that not all of the reasons described are a threat to the fetus, but to preserve the health of the unborn baby, it is better for a pregnant woman to be on the safe side.

Tests at the 13th week of pregnancy

Tests at the 13th week of pregnancy are mainly taken to obtain information about plasma protein and the hCG hormone. These tests are part of a mandatory program for studying the female body and fetus during pregnancy. Such studies are an integral part of biochemical screening.

The result of the hCG level makes it possible to determine that the pregnancy is proceeding normally, and also to determine whether there are any abnormalities, defects, delays in fetal development, or negative Rh factor in the early stages of pregnancy. All this data must be indicated on the form, but it may differ depending on the laboratory where the study took place.

13th week of pregnancy, sensations in the stomach of the expectant mother

When the 12th week of pregnancy arrives, the sensations in the stomach of the expectant mother become familiar and almost unnoticeable. With the onset of this period, hormones in a woman’s body calm down, and the feeling of nausea practically disappears. At this time, it is better for a woman to take care of the prevention of constipation and swelling, as well as stretch marks.

At the 13th week of pregnancy, it’s time to think about changing your wardrobe, which should correspond to the state of the pregnant woman. It is especially important to choose the right bra, because the breasts increase in volume while carrying a baby. The bra must fully correspond to the size of the breasts, have wide straps - all this will provide good support for the expanding mammary glands.

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Video

This is a time of great changes in the feelings of the expectant mother and a new stage in the development of her baby. It is this week that is considered the most informative for the first prenatal study, which is called “screening”.

How many months is this?

By the 13th obstetric week, women are already well versed in how pregnancy time is calculated. Doctors always set a time limit that exceeds the actual one by approximately two weeks. This is the obstetric period, and the difference of 14 days is the time that has passed from the first day of the last menstruation before pregnancy to the expected ovulation.

If the 13th obstetric week has begun, this means that it is now exactly 12 weeks according to medical standards for calculating the gestational age, that is, it is 12-13 weeks, and 10-11 weeks have passed since conception. The 11th embryonic week corresponds to the 13th obstetric week. The fourth lunar month has begun (each of them has exactly 4 weeks). Almost three months have passed in calendar terms.

Enter the first day of your last menstrual period

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Baby development

The fetal period of baby development is in full swing. 3 weeks have already passed since he ceased to be an embryo and became a fetus. With the beginning of this period, the baby becomes more and more human-like every day. He no longer has a tail - it has turned into a tailbone. The formation of internal organs has completed - now they will only grow.

Now the baby is the size of a decent onion. His height is between 7-10 cm. The baby now weighs more than 20 grams.

Appearance

The baby looks very thin and wrinkled. This is due to the fact that he does not yet have subcutaneous fatty tissue. The skin is very thin; capillaries and larger blood vessels are visible through them. Vellus hair grows on the baby’s head; all children still have light hair, because the pigment that colors the hair in one color or another has not yet begun to be produced.

The baby's head is still quite large in relation to the body. On average, it makes up half of the total area of ​​the fetus. This disproportion will be eliminated over time, and by the time of birth the baby's body will be five times larger than its head.

The proportions of the arms and legs begin to equalize. If earlier the arms were short, now this week they are noticeably increasing in length, and the legs are starting to grow. The lower limbs are still much shorter than the upper ones.

The fingers and toes have fully formed fingers, each of them is crowned with a small nail. The child’s ears have completed the formation, and from this week he begins to hear, but for now the hearing is more of a vibrational nature, because the formation of the inner ear is still ongoing. By about 20 weeks of pregnancy, this process will be completed, and sound waves will begin to transform into sounds familiar to each of us.

The eyes, which were previously located on the sides of the head, have already moved to their proper place. The eyelids have formed - now they tightly cover the organs of vision. The face already has a nose, and in some children who, due to racial or genetic reasons, have a prominent nose, these bones are already so large that a profile with a pronounced, well-defined structure is easily visible.

The neck is already formed - the baby can turn his head. All internal organs are located in their places, nothing looks outside the abdominal cavity. The baby's appearance begins to take on individual features.

Internal organs

Since all organs have already been formed, the process of their growth is now underway, and they are also “learning” to work correctly, becoming more complex and developed. The gallbladder produces bile at week 13, and the pancreas began producing insulin two weeks earlier. The intestines contract rhythmically, and this is almost real peristalsis, despite the fact that the baby in the usual sense does not yet eat.

The structure of a small heart is exactly the same as that of an adult: it has four chambers, but it beats much faster. Heart rate (HR) this week is from 140 to 170 beats per minute. The fetal heart pumps about 23 liters of blood per day. The kidneys work at full capacity: they produce urine, accumulate it, and the urinary system carries it out into the amniotic fluid. The baby pees often: almost once an hour.

Nervous system

The nervous system continues to improve. At the physiological level, it is completely laid down, there is a brain and spinal cord, but the functional processes are still in their infancy. The spinal cord currently receives impulses from the nerve endings, but soon the brain will begin to do so. In the meantime, brain tissue is being formed in it, and this process is very fast: 250 thousand new cells are formed in the fetal brain at the 13th week every day.

Special communication channels between the muscles and the nervous system continue to form. The baby already has several reflex skills in his arsenal: he shudders, the sucking and swallowing reflexes have already been studied, his hands are clenched into fists, he has a grasping reflex. Taste buds already “catch” shades of tastes: if the mother eats sweets, the child will definitely notice a change in the taste of the water - he will swallow such amniotic fluid more willingly.

If the waters are bitter because the mother ate onions and garlic, then their taste will not be too pleasant for the baby - he will not swallow them.

The baby's movements become more and more active. Most of the time he remains in a dormant state, which resembles sleep. During periods of wakefulness, the baby “has fun”: hugs itself, plays with the umbilical cord, examines its face by touch and swims. Mothers do not feel any movements yet - there is enough space in the uterus.

Gender

The baby's external genitalia are forming. The boys' genital tubercles have lengthened and are now a small penis. And this week in girls, the genital tubercles begin to bend and shrink, turning into the labia.

But it is still quite difficult to find out the gender - gender differences in size are small. An experienced doctor, of course, will be able to see the difference if the ultrasound is performed on a machine with good resolution, and the baby is positioned conveniently for examination. But the doctor will not yet be able to reliably name the gender of the child - the likelihood of an error at this stage is quite high.

At the 13th obstetric week, the most global changes occur in the reproductive system of girls. Their ovaries descend into the pelvis and already contain about 2 million eggs. In boys, the prostate gland continues to develop.

Skeletal system

Since the thyroid gland has been diligently developing and starting to work over the past weeks, calcium deposition has begun in the baby’s bones, and they are becoming stronger. The bones of the skull and spine begin to strengthen first, followed by the bones of the limbs. Baby's ribs are appearing this week.

Right now, the need for calcium for mother and fetus is great. If the baby does not have enough of it, he will begin to take calcium from the mother’s bones. As a result, the quality and appearance of a woman’s nails, hair, and teeth will deteriorate. By the way, the rudiments of the baby’s baby teeth have already fully formed, and now they will wait in the wings.

Respiratory system

The child's respiratory organs are already developed. This week he begins to try breathing movements. The chest is still expanding irregularly, but every day the respiratory contractions will become more and more regular. After birth, the baby will intuitively know how to breathe.

The glottis remains closed for now. At the 13th week, the vocal cords are actively forming so that after birth the baby will announce the delivery room with a loud cry. The lungs do not yet produce or accumulate a substance important for respiration - surfactant. The baby will begin to prepare for independent breathing in the middle of the third trimester.

What can a baby do? Despite the fact that the fetus is still very small, it is actively developing its skills. Now the baby reacts to external stimuli. If the mother begins to cough or speak to someone in a raised voice, then a special vibration will reach the baby, and he will feel changes in the mother’s mood.

It still remains unknown how children at this age manage to feel fear, pain and joy. But numerous studies that covered the category of pregnant women planning an abortion at this time have shown that the child perfectly feels all the mother’s emotions and feels pain. If he is in pain, he opens his mouth in silent crying, and if he is scared, he tries to “hide” and shrink.

Scientists believe that The connection between mother and baby is now based on changes in the composition of maternal blood. When emotions change, her hormonal levels change subtly, and this is exactly what the child feels.

At week 13, the baby makes various grimaces - his facial muscles are already sufficiently developed for this. He has learned to bring his fists to his mouth and tries to suck them; he is good at yawning, hiccupping, and stretching after sleep. He especially enjoys playing with his own umbilical cord: he grabs it and feels it.

Baby on ultrasound. An ultrasound this week is performed as part of prenatal screening, if it has not been performed previously. The deadlines established by the Ministry of Health for this diagnostic event allow screening to be completed this week. This ultrasound may be the first “meeting” of the expectant mother and her baby. Now on the monitor of an ultrasound scanner you can already examine in detail the baby’s profile, nose, brow ridges, small arms, legs, and listen to the heartbeat. All this causes real delight among women.

During the examination, the doctor assesses the baby’s viability, its size and correlates them with special tables, which can be used to judge the exact duration of pregnancy and the characteristics of fetal development.

Still informative is the KTR (coccygeal-parietal size), which is essentially a segment between the coccyx and the crown of the head. Some doctors do not measure CTE this week, since BPR - bipariental (the transverse size of the baby's head), measured between the temporal bones - becomes more informative, from the point of view of determining the period.

This week it is already possible to measure the length of the femurs, but the bones of the lower leg and shoulder are still so small that measuring them is impractical. The SVD, the diameter of the fertilized egg, is also not measured, since two weeks ago it exceeded 50 mm and became too large to measure.

For the full 12th week and the six days following it, the following norms are typical:

Table of average fetometry values ​​at week 13 (12-13 weeks)

Those who have had their CTE measured will be interested to know whether their baby meets the average statistical standards. These values ​​for week 13 are:

CTE at 13 weeks of pregnancy

The baby's abdominal circumference at this stage averages from 61 to 69 mm.

The placenta has already fully assumed all the responsibilities for nourishing and protecting the child, and now, if the need arises, the woman can take medications that were not previously recommended for her, since the laying of the internal organs of the embryo was underway, and there was no protective barrier. The thickness of the placenta at this stage is from 15 to 18 mm, but it is not yet measured by ultrasound, since its thickness will have diagnostic value no earlier than 20 weeks and later

Feelings of the expectant mother

A woman’s feelings this week are ambiguous - on the one hand, she is happy and proud of her growing belly, and on the other hand, she comes to understand that a child is serious, and, accordingly, all the worries associated with this appear: will she have enough strength, experience, funds for in order to raise him. Women who are pregnant with their first child are usually especially worried about this.

Since the first trimester can be considered completed, the hormonal levels “calm down” somewhat.. Progesterone and estrogens have accumulated in the female body in sufficient quantities; now their production is not so strongly felt by the pregnant woman. Therefore, the symptoms of toxicosis begin to leave the expectant mother, her appetite improves, her night sleep becomes stronger, and severe daytime sleepiness recedes a little. In general, her health is improving, and signs of malaise are becoming less and less common.

If in the first trimester a woman suffered from increased salivation, now she begins to produce slightly less saliva. Dizziness and nausea gradually go away.

The belly is noticeably growing. The belly and hips already look rounder, and many women can no longer hide their position. At this stage, even superstitious women who were previously afraid to report their situation are no longer afraid to disclose this important information and communicate the fact of their pregnancy to friends, colleagues and relatives. Understanding the fact that the threat of miscarriage and the critical period have passed makes a woman more confident and calm.

A growing belly begins to require a woman to change her habits. Sleeping on your stomach is now uncomfortable, and you have to choose new positions for sexual relations. Many women note that it has become uncomfortable for them to lie on their back for a long time - the growing uterus begins to compress the inferior vena cava. This week, the woman already understands that the clothes she wore before pregnancy no longer meet at the waist and are tight in the hips and chest.

It's time to change your wardrobe to a more spacious one, and your usual bra should be replaced with a larger bodice with wide straps that will support your growing breasts.

The mood, which was previously characterized by instability, now begins to “even out”, the woman becomes more balanced and calm, but she may be forgetful and absent-minded. All these metamorphoses are caused by the influence of a new hormonal level on the brain: everything in a woman’s body adapts to the needs of the child. The baby now needs a calm and peaceful mother.

And yet the woman still remains quite sensitive. This week you should not communicate with people who like to talk about their difficult experiences of childbirth and pregnancy, describe in vivid colors all the horrors of the birth process and possible dangers. Pregnant women take other people's experiences too seriously, especially if they are carrying their first child. Such stories can cause unnecessary stress, tears, fears and anxiety.

You should also not “wind up” yourself about the upcoming screening. No matter how other pregnant women from the pages of forums scare them, there is nothing terrible in this diagnosis. If you understand its essence correctly, then the disturbances will be minimal.

Domestic conflicts and quarrels should be avoided, after all, the baby can already react to external stress factors. If there is no one to communicate with in confidence, right now a woman can turn to a psychologist who provides free consultations at any antenatal clinic.

The growing uterus begins to mechanically compress the intestines, which is why now the most pressing problem for pregnant women is constipation. Proper nutrition will help improve your well-being. It will also protect a woman from another trouble at the beginning of the second trimester - possible hemorrhoids. At the beginning of the 13th week, the expectant mother may notice that she has cramps in the calf muscles. This is how calcium deficiency manifests itself, the need for which has increased significantly at this time.

This week, women who monitor their blood pressure levels may notice that their blood pressure is dropping. This is normal, because now there is another circle of blood circulation in the body (uteroplacental). Usually, slight natural hypotension does not cause any unpleasant symptoms.

If the pressure drops below normal, this may manifest itself as weakness, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. You should definitely consult your doctor.

The hormone progesterone, which “tried” throughout the first trimester, continues to have a systemic effect on the female body. Now most often it becomes the “culprit” of frequent urination. Sometimes women continue to complain that they have headaches in the evenings. Due to the hormonal effect on the digestive system, a woman may experience heartburn, alternating constipation and loose stools. And the property of progesterone to retain fluid in the tissues can cause a physiological runny nose in pregnant women; such rhinitis does not require separate treatment, as it goes away on its own.

Slight pulling sensations in the lower back and back at week 13 can be considered quite acceptable, because the uterus is growing, and the ligaments that hold it are stretched. If your lower back hurts and feels tight, and it does not last long, and is not accompanied by abnormal discharge, then there is nothing to worry about.

Emergency medical help should be sought if the pain is severe, increasing, or cramping.

At week 13, it becomes much easier to carry heavier and enlarged breasts. The mammary glands stop bothering the woman much: hurting, itching, scratching. The active growth of glandular tissue is replaced by the preparation of the ducts for breastfeeding, and this process is not accompanied by pain, although colostrum may begin to be released. If your breasts have not stopped hurting this week, then you should be patient and wait another 7 days - Usually by week 14, unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.

Changes in the body

The main change in the female body at this stage is the intensive growth of the uterine body. The size of the uterus has increased almost 4 times, the length of the uterus has grown by 10 centimeters. In multiparous women, the uterus is heavier, it grows faster, and therefore the main visual sign of pregnancy, the belly, appears faster. Women who are pregnant with twins already have an impressive belly.

The location of the uterus also changes. It has gone beyond the pelvis and is now in the abdominal cavity. The normal height of the uterine fundus at 13 weeks is about 11-12 centimeters.

The uterus becomes softer, more elastic, it is normal, it does not become toned, which ensures its growth, and the amount of vaginal discharge also increases. There is no need to be afraid of this.

Light, white or yellowish discharge with a slight sour odor is considered completely normal for this period. However, a woman should be extremely vigilant and observe their character - any change in the color, smell, or consistency of vaginal secretion may be a sign of pathology.

Green, gray, or brown discharge with a foamy consistency and an unpleasant odor may indicate the presence of an infection, including a genital infection. Thick white discharge, accompanied by a yeasty odor and itching in the perineum, may indicate that a woman has developed thrush. This rarely happens at week 13, because thrush is a companion of early and late gestation, but this possibility cannot be completely ruled out.

The amount of blood that circulates these days in the body of the expectant mother has approximately doubled. Now the load on the woman’s lungs, kidneys, and heart has become twice as great. This may manifest itself as an exacerbation of chronic diseases of these organs, if the woman had such diseases before pregnancy. But even healthy pregnant women feel an increased heart rate at this stage. Shortness of breath may occur with slight physical exertion.

The breasts are now large and very beautiful. It is not spoiled even by the protruding Montgomery tubercles on the circles around the nipples and the darkening of the circles themselves. The nipples may turn white. This occurs when the nipples are irritated by underwear and a small amount of colostrum is released, which, when dried, creates such a white color. Starting this week, you need to wash your nipples every evening with warm water to avoid inflammation and blockage of the passages.

Weight gain at 13 weeks may vary. In general, it is considered normal if 2 to 4 kilograms are added to a woman’s initial body weight. The pregnancy hormone hCG is at its maximum, peak point. From the end of this week, the level of this hormone will begin to gradually decrease, and this process will last until childbirth.

A woman whose pregnancy is now proceeding without complications looks very attractive. Mystery, spirituality and charm appear in her appearance. Her hair shines, her nails grow faster, her skin becomes smoother and healthier. Some women are starting to experience pigment spots on their back, neck, and arms this week. Women's freckles often become brighter, but even this does not spoil their amazing, feminine beauty.

Possible complications

The list of problems and risks that may threaten the expectant mother at the 13th obstetric week of pregnancy is noticeably decreasing. The likelihood of miscarriage is now low, as is the likelihood of sudden, causeless fetal death. But such risks cannot be completely excluded. Below is a list of complications that pregnant women may encounter at 13 weeks.

Intrauterine growth retardation

The results of the first ultrasound this week may reveal a developmental delay in the baby. If no mistake is made with the timing of pregnancy, doctors will definitely try to find the true cause of the slow growth of the fetus. A slight lag has nothing to do with the delay, but if the baby’s parameters are 2 weeks less than normal, doctors talk about probable IUGR - intrauterine growth retardation.

With a symmetrical delay, when all the proportions of the baby are reduced relative to the norm equally, versions such as placental incompetence or umbilical cord pathologies are considered, as a result of which the baby simply receives less nutrients and oxygen. Delayed fetal development can be observed in a hypertensive mother suffering from high blood pressure, heart and vascular diseases, as well as in women with chronic respiratory problems.

In case of asymmetrical delay, when some size is in obvious disproportion with the others, the most probable version of the baby’s developmental defects, including genetic ones, is considered. The reason may lie not only in a chromosomal disease, for example, Down syndrome, but also in structural defects of the kidneys and heart, if something went wrong during the formation of these organs.

The reason that a baby grows slower than his peers can be a woman’s insufficient nutrition, a deficiency of vitamins in her body, as well as bad habits: smoking, alcohol, drugs.

Often, by slowing growth, the baby “reacts” to infectious diseases suffered by the mother in the first trimester.

Non-developing pregnancy

A missed miscarriage or a frozen pregnancy can occur at any stage up to 28 weeks. As the period increases, the likelihood of such a sad outcome decreases. Doctors noticed that most often the fetus stops developing and dies early - from 3 to 4 weeks, then during the transition from the embryonic to fetal phase of development - from 8 to 10 weeks. The third “dangerous” period begins at 16 and lasts until 18 weeks. Despite the fact that the 13th week is not included in these periods, the likelihood of fetal death is real even at this period.

There may be no symptoms. In this case, only 2-3 weeks after the death of the baby, the first signs may appear: a brown “smear”, nagging pain, all the signs of a miscarriage. If pure blood flows, this may indicate that a miscarriage has taken place. But most often, a frozen pregnancy is detected by an ultrasound, which is done this week.

Any adverse factors to which a woman has been exposed can lead to the death of a child: infections, taking medications that are not permitted during pregnancy, malformations of the placenta, bad habits, a sudden “jump” in hormones.

Isthmic-cervical insufficiency

This pathology is spoken of when a woman’s cervix begins to shorten and smooth out ahead of schedule. The task of this part of the female reproductive organ during pregnancy is to tightly close the entrance to the uterus and not allow the child to leave it prematurely. If the cervix is ​​insufficient, there is a risk of miscarriage. If the cervix does not cope with its task now, the child will die, because he cannot yet live independently, outside the mother’s womb.

The pathology has no symptoms, the woman may not feel anything unusual, and only with an ultrasound at 12-13 weeks can the doctor detect pathological changes in the cervix. The causes of the phenomenon can be different: from congenital characteristics of the cervix to traumatic changes caused by abortion or gynecological operations associated with mechanical expansion of the cervix. Often the pathology develops in women who have previously suffered a difficult birth.

There are many methods for treating cervical shortening. A short neck, of course, cannot lengthen, but it can be fixed by suturing or installing an obstetric pessary. In most cases, a woman quite safely manages to carry her baby to term.

Hypercoagulability syndrome

Blood thickening or hypercoagulability syndrome this week can be detected by the results of a coagulogram - a test that determines blood clotting. It is prescribed to pregnant women upon registration. A woman’s blood can become too thick due to increased stress on all organs and systems, primarily the heart and blood vessels. If a woman suffered from severe toxicosis with vomiting and intoxication during the first trimester, then the risk of hypercoagulation syndrome is high.

At the beginning of the second trimester, hypercoagulation can occur in every second woman, and in most cases it is considered as a normal variant. The pregnant woman's body begins to gradually and well in advance prepare for childbirth. To prevent severe bleeding, the blood coagulation system begins to work under new conditions.

When first detected, doctors will prescribe monitoring of the blood condition. If increased coagulability is detected in the future, the woman will be prescribed treatment. Thick blood can be dangerous primarily due to the increased likelihood of thrombosis and premature aging of the placenta.

There is no need to sound the alarm at week 13; the detected hypercoagulation may be physiological.

Analyzes and examinations

If the screening has already taken place a week earlier, then no tests will be scheduled this week. If a referral for prenatal diagnostics is issued at week 13, then the woman will have to donate blood from a vein and have an ultrasound scan on the same day - these are the mandatory conditions for undergoing the first screening.

The purpose of this study is to identify women at risk for their likelihood of giving birth to a baby with chromosomal abnormalities. In the blood of a pregnant woman, the quantitative ratio of the hCG hormone and plasma protein PAPP-A will be assessed. During the ultrasound, in addition to assessing the general development and examining the internal organs of the fetus, they will pay close attention to the so-called markers of chromosomal abnormalities - visual signs of abnormalities. Down syndrome and a number of other diseases, the risks of which are assessed during screening, for example, are characterized by thickening of the nuchal space - the folds on the back of the neck.

Alone, the results of an ultrasound and blood test say little. Only summary information processed by a special computer program gives an idea of ​​how high the probability of having a sick child is. It is expressed in a fraction - 1: 3000 or 1: 350. This fraction means that the chance of giving birth to a child with a particular chromosomal abnormality in a woman with similar indicators is 1 in 3000 or 350 births. High risks are considered to be risks in the region of 1:100.

“Bad” screening – what to do?

If screening shows increased risks of having a sick baby, then you should not panic, because the results of prenatal diagnostics are just a forecast, and not a diagnosis. Any negative “findings” on an ultrasound or in the laboratory are grounds for a visit to a geneticist. This specialist will once again check all the data and may recommend that the woman undergo an additional examination, which can accurately answer the question of whether the child has chromosomal abnormalities and anomalies.

In a sample of the venous blood of the expectant mother, fetal red blood cells are found, which begin to enter there from about 8-9 weeks of pregnancy, and the child’s DNA is derived from them. The procedure is no different from a regular blood test and does not harm the fetus or mother in any way, but it is expensive - several tens of thousands of rubles.

After additional diagnostics show the true picture, the woman herself and her close people will decide what will happen next with this pregnancy.

If the baby has pathologies, the woman is advised to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons. But she has the right to consciously refuse this. In this case, the pregnancy continues as normal, and if necessary, both mother and baby are provided with supportive therapy.

Calcium

Since the need for this mineral increases with the beginning of fetal bone growth, it is now advisable to talk with your doctor about the possibility of taking additional calcium supplements. You should not buy them at the pharmacy and start drinking them yourself. If a woman does not have a calcium deficiency, then such actions can lead to an excess of the mineral, which can lead to complications with the kidneys and metabolism.

The doctor saw the results of the woman’s biochemical blood test; he knows exactly how much calcium is in her blood. If you need additional amounts of the mineral, he will recommend calcium supplements and indicate in what dosage it should be taken.

All pregnant women need to introduce calcium-rich foods into their diet this week. These include cottage cheese, milk, fermented milk products, sea fish, fresh herbs, spinach, and nuts. In most cases, this allows you to collect the required amount of an important substance without pharmaceutical drugs.

Sex

Sex this week is not contraindicated if the woman does not have a threat of marginal chorionic presentation and other complications that can lead to miscarriage. There is no need to be shy, because the question of whether it is possible to have an active sex life You should definitely ask your doctor at this time. If everything is fine, then he will have nothing against it.

Sex helps a woman feel better: it stabilizes the emotional and psychological background, improves family relationships. However, now you should carefully consider your own feelings and choice of posture. Now all positions with deep penetration, as well as the use of lubricants, are prohibited.

If you have a cold or acute respiratory viral infection at week 13, you shouldn’t worry too much. The baby is already formed, the likelihood that the temperature and medications taken will have a negative effect on him is not as high as in the first trimester. The placenta already copes with barrier functions. This does not replace consultation with a doctor, and all medications should be taken only as prescribed.

This week you can go to the dentist and heal all problem teeth, if necessary. X-rays also remain prohibited, but gentle anesthesia is already permissible.

Content

The 13th week of pregnancy refers to the beginning of the fourth obstetric month and the first week of the second trimester. This is the time when a woman’s well-being has already improved enough to lead a more active lifestyle, eat right and review her wardrobe. The belly is just beginning to appear, and the uterus gradually rises from the pelvis into the abdominal cavity. The baby is actively growing and gaining weight, his organs and systems have already started working and are actively improving. The second trimester of pregnancy is the calmest time, when the expectant mother enjoys her position; after a few weeks, the baby will make itself known with its first kicks.

What happens to the body at 13 weeks

The uterus is actively enlarging, periodically changing its tone; at the moment of increasing tone, slight pain and sagging may be felt in the lower abdomen. Then it’s worth lying down to rest; usually the tone increases from being on your feet for a long time and fatigue. If this condition occurs frequently, you should complain to the doctor; the doctor may prescribe medications to relieve tone with magnesium or papaverine. Bloating due to gas and constipation may also occur, so you need to evaluate your diet and remove irritating and gas-forming foods. By this week, the belly begins to round and grow due to the release of the uterus from the pelvis, although now there may be a feeling that the woman has simply gained a little weight.

By this week, toxicosis of pregnancy recedes in almost all women, and is replaced by high spirits, normalization of the emotional background, good appetite and restful sleep. Now is the time to take care of your hair, face and body skin, prevent stretch marks, do gymnastics for pregnant women and get more rest. At this time, active weight gain begins, so after toxicosis and weight loss, you may immediately gain 2-3 kg of weight. You need to take vitamins and minerals, eat more fiber to prevent constipation.

Fetal development at thirteen weeks: weight, size and gender

At the beginning of the second trimester, the fetus has already grown significantly - now it weighs about 25-30 grams, with a CTR (coccygeal-parietal size) of 7-9 cm. The head is now still disproportionately large, but from this period the body will actively grow in length. All internal organs are occupying their position and the time has come for their development and maturation, they are already functioning, training in their work. The baby’s skeleton is actively forming, calcium is deposited in the large bones of the skeleton, and muscle tissue does not lag behind in development, which allows the child to move more and more actively. Insulin begins to form in the pancreas, and villi appear in the intestines, which help in digesting food. The heart beats actively and pumps up to 25 liters of blood throughout the fetal body per day.

The formation of baby teeth has occurred, the vocal apparatus is being formed, and characteristic features in appearance are already appearing. During this period, the sex of the baby is determined - in the area of ​​the genital tubercle, either the boy’s penis or the girl’s clitoris is clearly formed, the sex cells are formed in the ovaries or the prostate.

The nervous system develops actively and quickly - movements are gradually streamlined, the child sleeps less than before, and he develops reactions to external stimuli. He can react to sharp sounds, changes in the mother's position and even her discomfort. The fetus can distinguish the taste and smell of amniotic fluid, which changes due to the nature of the mother's diet. Now the baby is forming his taste, which will indirectly affect the mother’s appetite and addiction to certain foods. The skills of swallowing, yawning, thumb sucking, and smiling gradually appear.

Now, as the belly grows, it is time to establish contact with the baby and actively communicate, stroking the belly, singing lullabies, talking and communicating with the future dad.

Feelings of the expectant mother

At 13 weeks, the woman feels very well, her mood is positive, the toxicosis has gone, but there is still no tummy, nothing hinders her movements. The body has adapted to the new position and is actively preparing for future motherhood. Now the most noticeable changes are happening to the breasts - they increase in size, become fuller, veins appear on them and the areolas of the nipples darken. You need a comfortable bra with wide straps and stretchability, as your breasts may still grow.

The waist gradually smoothes out, up to three kilograms of weight can be added, which requires updating the wardrobe with non-pressure elastic bands and fasteners, spacious and breathable. It is better to wear loose shoes without heels or with low heels of 3-4 cm.

The abdomen may become slightly rounded, and through the abdominal wall the woman herself can feel the fundus of the uterus in the form of a dense, melon-like formation. Due to her growth, constipation and flatulence can now occur, so it is important to strictly monitor what a woman eats.

Drowsiness recedes, performance increases and mood improves, so those around you will breathe more calmly and emotional outbursts will become less intense. It's time to start communicating with loved ones, preparing the house for the birth of a baby, creating creativity or doing something you love.

Condition of the uterus at 13 weeks of pregnancy

The uterus is constantly growing and by the thirteenth week it reaches the pubis, rising into the abdominal cavity. The pelvic cavity is almost completely occupied by the enlarged uterus, which is why other organs are constrained and some difficulties may arise in their work. This may include heartburn and constipation, bloating, or somewhat increased urination. From this date, during regular examinations, the obstetrician-gynecologist will measure the height of the uterine fundus in centimeters from the navel. This week, the uterus is about 13 cm long and about 10 cm wide; in the second trimester, the tone of the uterus decreases for its active growth and supply of blood to the placenta. Nowadays, when she is tired, she may become toned for a very short time, and then the woman needs to rest and lie down quietly.

Ultrasound at 13 weeks

Usually, at 12-14 weeks, the first planned ultrasound of the fetus and uterus is performed, which will show the condition of the unborn baby, the position and functioning of the placenta, as well as the condition of the uterine walls. The indicators of the first ultrasound are important for further research; further indicators are compared with them, assessing the development of pregnancy over time. Today, doctors can conduct ultrasound in a two-dimensional plane, a classic study with a flat picture, but they can also conduct 3D studies, in which the baby can be viewed in three-dimensional space. When conducting research, ultrasound indicators of this period are used for the first screening, a special study that allows us to exclude chromosomal abnormalities and severe fetal defects.

Ultrasound specifies the gestational age, the estimated date of birth, the size and approximate weight of the fetus, evaluates its heartbeat, the structure of internal organs and the condition of the uterus with the placenta and umbilical cord.

Discharge from the genital tract

From the 13th week, women's discharge should be scanty, transparent or milky, without odor or lumps. The appearance of diseased mucous discharge, and especially yellow, greenish, gray, foamy, cheesy discharge in combination with redness of the genitals, swelling, pain and itching, indicates the development of a genital tract infection. This condition requires immediate consultation with a gynecologist and the appointment of active treatment; at 13 weeks, the range of medications safe for the fetus expands significantly.

Brown discharge should alert you - it may indicate a threat of miscarriage or placental abruption. In addition, spotting after examination in a chair or sex may indicate the presence of cervical erosion, which will also require medical supervision. In any case, it is necessary to consult a doctor to determine the causes of bleeding. If the pregnancy is at risk, hospitalization may be necessary to save the baby.

What tests to take

Typically, at week 13, blood and urine tests are taken when visiting a doctor, and the examination is also supplemented with tests necessary for the first screening. These include blood tests for progesterone, as well as the level of a special free subunit of hCG and a special plasma protein associated with pregnancy, PAPP-a. It is also necessary to determine the blood type and Rh factor of the mother, and if the mother is Rh negative, also the blood type and Rh factor of the child’s father.

If the mother has any abnormalities in her health, she may be prescribed additional tests:

• blood glucose level,
• urine test for protein and glucose,
• biochemical blood test and liver tests,
• coagulogram,
• blood for hormone levels.

Screening at 13 obstetric weeks

At 12-14 weeks, pregnant women undergo special screening - this is a set of examinations consisting of an ultrasound examination and blood tests (the level of a special free subunit of hCG and a special plasma protein associated with pregnancy PAPP-a). Based on these studies, a conclusion is drawn about the risk of developing fetal chromosomal abnormalities or congenital developmental anomalies.

If there are deviations from the norm in ultrasound indicators (the size of the collar area, the size and structure of the nasal bone) and in the test data, a diagnosis is not immediately made - this only increases the risk of anomalies. To clarify or refute suspicions, it is necessary to conduct a series of consultations - genetics and invasive examination (amniocentesis, cordocentesis).

Abdominal and lower back pain

At the 13th week of pregnancy there should be no pain in the abdomen, much less severe pain with contractions. Due to the growth of the uterus and the tension of its ligaments, there may be some pulling and bursting sensations in the abdomen, but no sharp pain is acceptable. If during this period there is a sharp pain in the abdomen, or prolonged unremitting pain, cramping pain in the abdomen, aching in the lower back or any other unpleasant sensations, you should immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance. During pregnancy, both acute surgical pathology (appendicitis, pancreatitis or cholecystitis) and exacerbation of chronic pathology are possible. In addition, abdominal pain may be a sign of placental abruption or an incipient miscarriage. With timely assistance, the loss of a child can be prevented.

Due to the growth of the uterus, pulling pain in the back and lower back may occur due to a change in the center of gravity and loosening of the intervertebral discs. Therefore, you need to monitor your posture and rest more often, refuse to wear shoes with heels, sleep on your side, and do gymnastics for expectant mothers.

Colds and runny nose

Although all the baby’s organs and systems have already formed, colds and viral infections are undesirable for a pregnant woman at this stage. They can lead to a threat of miscarriage, disturbances in the development of one or another organ, and lead to intrauterine infection of the fetus. The flu and its complications are especially dangerous for pregnant women with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women are the most susceptible to the flu, so during the cold season, try to avoid visiting crowded places and contacting a large number of people.

If you experience a runny nose, chills, headache or malaise, you should immediately go to bed and actively undergo treatment, call a doctor at home, and be sure to inform him of your situation. In the treatment of colds, you should prefer non-drug therapy - rinsing the nose with saline solutions, gargling, drinking plenty of fluids. In consultation with your doctor, you can use herbs and special preparations. During pregnancy, thermal procedures are prohibited - you cannot steam your feet, rub yourself with burning ointments, sweat under a blanket and go to the bathhouse.

High temperature is also dangerous for pregnant women; if it rises above 38.5 degrees, it is necessary to bring it down with children's forms of antipyretics - Nurofen or paracetamol. It is prohibited to take analgin and aspirin, nimesulide. Non-medicinal methods of reducing fever are useful - light clothing, wiping with a damp sponge, a cool shower and drinking plenty of fluids. You should not wrap yourself up too much when you have a temperature - this prevents skin breathing and sweating, and does not reduce, but increases the temperature.

Diet

From the second trimester of pregnancy, the need for nutrients and energy increases, as the baby begins to actively grow and build its body. Therefore, from 13 weeks of pregnancy, women notice an ever-increasing appetite. Therefore, it is necessary to review the diet in favor of healthy, but not very high-calorie food in order to cover all the needs of your body and a growing child, without gaining excess weight. The diet requires proteins, some fats and carbohydrates, enough fiber and pectins, vitamins and minerals. This is ensured by a regular balanced healthy diet.

The following are prohibited:

• alcohol in all its forms,
• fast food, chips, crackers,
• carbonated drinks with dyes,
• store-bought semi-finished products with excess fat and low-quality raw materials,
• excess sweets, especially refined ones - sweets, chocolates, cakes.

The diet includes meat and fish, poultry, milk and dairy products, at least 400 grams of vegetables and fruits per day, juices, purees, nuts, cereals and cereals.

Food should be taken in small portions, but at least four to five times a day, this will save you from overeating and heartburn, bloating and discomfort. Be sure to have enough liquid in your diet to prevent constipation.

Sex at thirteen weeks

During this period, if there is no threat of miscarriage, sex is permitted and recommended. It helps partners get closer, relax and get new sensations. Now there is almost no belly, and nothing interferes with having sex in almost all positions. In the second trimester of pregnancy, a woman's desire and sexuality increase, and new and vibrant sensations can arise from intimacy. This will allow the woman to become more sensual and relaxed, she will become calmer and more relaxed.

It is worth remembering that sex will not harm the baby in any way, it is reliably protected by the walls of the uterus and amniotic fluid, and blood flow to the genitals and orgasm increase blood flow and prevent fetal hypoxia. And the release of pleasure hormones into the mother’s blood makes the baby calm and happy.