Your baby

Your little one looks just like a baby now, although on a much smaller scale at just 7.5cm long. Even though your baby is now developing fingerprints, he has no fat beneath his skin so his bones will appear prominent.

He will now be able to swallow, yawn and hiccup. This action will help to develop the gut. The sucking action won’t be recognizable until 18-20 weeks. As your baby’s kidneys begin to function, the amniotic fluid which he will have swallowed will be passed as wee.

If your 13 weeks pregnant belly is pressed your baby may squirm as it is developing reflexes. He will be able to curl his fingers and toes if touched.

You

As you move into the second trimester, your early pregnancy symptoms may fade and you should feel less sick, as the placenta takes over producing the hormones. If you’re still feeling sick and are worried about it, speak to your midwife or doctor.

What to think about

It’s still safe to have sex. You can have sex all the way through pregnancy as long as you have no complications. Find out more about sex during pregnancy.

Make sure you are eating healthily and protect yourself against any colds and bugs.

As you reach your second trimester you are likely to feel more confident and likely to plan ahead. Ask your family and friends to recommend their favourite baby products like buggies and car seats and start to think about your budget.

If you enjoy sports make sure you exercise safely as there are a number of activities that should be avoided during your second trimester e.g. horseriding, mountain cycling and skiing.

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