What's happening in week 13 of your pregnancy?
Your little one is the size of a pea pod:
They are about three inches (7.6 centimetres) long now.
Bone tissue is forming:
In arms, legs and around their head.
Your baby is learning to express himself/herself:
They can now put the thumb in their mouth and suck on it to soothe themselves. They can even start using the mouth to smile or frown.
How is your baby's brain developing?
A brain structure called the Corpus callosum continues to develop this week. It's responsible for communicating information between the right and left sides of the brain.
What pregnancy symptoms you might experience this week?
Increased amounts of oestrogen and progesterone in your body can affect mucus production, leading to nasal congestion. Relieve this congestion and boost your pregnancy health with these tips:
Apply warmth to your face:
- Placing a warm washcloth to your cheeks, eyes and nose several times a day to soothe the stuffiness.
Keep your head elevated when sleeping:
- With an extra pillow at night.
Drink lots of water:
- This will thin out your mucus and help to drain it from the nose.
Mom's Tip of the Week
It's preferable to drink water and avoid sugary drinks. While you will need an extra 350 calories a day at this pregnancy stage, these calories should come from healthy foods and drinks containing key nutrients such as choline and calcium.
References:
- http://www.pregnancy.org/article/pregnancy-rhinitis-sneezing-sniffing-and-congestion
- Krishnaswamy K, Sesikeran B. Dietary Guidelines for Indians –A Manual. National Institute of Nutrition;2011.