You have now surpassed the first third of your pregnancy, which also means that you have now entered the 2nd trimester. This can mean several good things for you as an expectant mother. You have now passed the part of the pregnancy where there is the greatest risk of miscarriage, and perhaps at this point you can start to feel more comfortable in your pregnancy.
What happens now?
In the last several weeks, the fetus has developed the foundations for all its internal and external parts. After this, and from this week onwards, the little baby in your belly will spend the rest of the pregnancy developing further. Some parts will finish developing during the pregnancy, while other organs and the baby's physical body will continue to develop after birth.
Another little sweet thing that your baby develops towards the end of this week is the first signs of having formed its own fingerprint. This appears as small lines on the fingertips. If you have not already been for the nuchal translucency scan, it is an offer from the public health system that you can read more about in week 12.
Pregnant in the 2nd trimester
Entering the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is an important milestone for many, as you have now in week 13 surpassed the many preceding weeks that have the highest risk of miscarriage. The baby will now only need to further develop and grow the already established organs and body parts, which reduces the risk of something going wrong.
The above may be one of the reasons why you begin to thrive more in your pregnancy from this week. Perhaps you and your body have become more accustomed to the many hormones and the changes occurring in your body. This can mean that from this week you feel less fatigue and perhaps get rid of nausea and mood swings. But since no pregnancies are the same, it can vary greatly.
Since the risk of miscarriage is now significantly lower, and you know the results from the nuchal translucency scan, it may be the right time for many pregnant women and their partners to tell friends and family members who have not yet heard about the pregnancy. It can also be difficult for you, as an expectant mother, to continue hiding the rapidly growing belly.
Size of the fetus
The fetus is growing and growing, and so is the amount of amniotic fluid, and if it has not already been the case, it will likely become more and more obvious on your belly that you are pregnant. In this first week of the 2nd trimester, the baby is about 6 to 7 cm and weighs around 50 grams. This is roughly the size of a peach. It is a rapid growth that will continue for the rest of the pregnancy.
Advice for partners
That your pregnant partner has now entered the 2nd trimester may mean that there are again changes in her mood and habits. This is likely due to her body beginning to adjust to the hormonal balance and overall to the pregnancy.
Now it's about the child growing and further developing the already formed parts and organs, so the pregnant woman still needs extra energy and maybe an extra nap. However, around this week it might be a good idea for you to tune in again to what needs your partner has, as they can change here at the beginning of the 2nd trimester. Therefore, you should not be surprised if her mood suddenly changes, and she seems more bothered by pregnancy discomforts.
Furthermore, it can be a really good idea that you, if you have the time and energy for it, remember to enjoy each other's company as a couple and savor the intimacy. It can lead to good conversations about the upcoming time as parents.
