13th Week of Pregnancy

Wellness and Nutrition at 13 Weeks Pregnant

By your 13th week of pregnancy, you might begin to truly feel pregnant, possibly for the first time. This might be especially true if you're growing out of your normal clothes.

Your next doctor visit. You may have another prenatal doctor visit during the 13th week of pregnancy or very soon after. From this point until you are about 28 weeks pregnant, most of your doctor appointments will follow a routine. Your doctor monitors:

• Your weight and blood pressure
• Your urine (to check for proteins and sugars)
• Your baby's growth (by measuring the size of your uterus)
• Signs of swelling in your face, ankles, hands, or feet
• You might be hearing your baby's heartbeat for the first time during this visit! This is often possible after the 12th week of pregnancy.

• If you haven't decided about prenatal testing, now is a good time to discuss the options with your doctor.
• CVS (Chorionic villus sampling) is one test that detects chromosome and other genetic abnormalities, usually between the 9th and 14th weeks of pregnancy. Learn more about prenatal screening and diagnostic testing.
• Remember to bring your list of questions or concerns to each visit. If you have immediate concerns, discuss them with your doctor right away.

Wondering When to Tell Your Big News at Work?
If you work, consider these tips for sharing your pregnancy at work:

• Tell your boss personally before she hears from someone else! If you have morning sickness and feel tired while at work, you might want to tell sooner.
• Timing is everything! If you have an upcoming salary review or are in the middle of a key project, you might want to wait until afterward to share your news.
• Offer solutions for handling your workload while you're out. After all, you know your job better than anyone else.
• Get all the details now about maternity leave and policies at your workplace so you're prepared.