♥ Tuesday, October 26, 2010 ♥ Week 13 of Pregnancy

Your growing baby now measures around 8cm. They’re now very active, and stretching, kicking and turning, although they’re still far too small for you to feel it. The kidneys are starting to work and are now starting to send urine to the bladder. Tiny bones are beginning to form in her arms and legs, the intestines are beginning to move from the umbilical cord to the abdomen, and the vocal cords are well under construction (the first step toward saying, "I love you, Mommy!"). And because she can move her arms and legs in a jerky fashion, she may be able to get her thumb into her mouth (a habit that may come in handy for self-soothing when she’s a newborn).

Each week, your baby’s proportions become much more like that of a newborn baby, and their head is now about a third of the size of their body.

Mummy's body
During this stage of pregnancy, breasts can start to feel a bit lumpy – but don’t worry, it’s just that your mammary glands and ducts are developing in time for the birth. Your breasts may already have started making a thin yellow liquid called colostrum. This is packed with nutrients and will be the first milk that nourishes your baby after the birth before their regular milk starts to flow.

The good news is that size doesn’t matter so even if your breasts are small, you should still be able to breastfeed if you want to!

Symptoms

Decreasing fatigue: Now that your body has had a trimester to adjust to pregnancy, you may be starting to feel a little less tired these days. Consider channeling your newfound energy into your workout routine — but don’t overdo it!

Breast tenderness and changes: The aches you’re feeling are largely due to estrogen, progesterone, and the increased fat and blood flow to your breasts. Pick bras with plenty of support to ease your discomfort.

Food cravings and aversions: If you still have a yen for weird foods, don’t be too hard on yourself. Do your best to find healthy foods that appeal to you, and give yourself permission to indulge in small portions of the junk foods you crave.

Heartburn or indigestion: During pregnancy, the muscle at the top of the stomach relaxes, allowing digestive acids to rise up into the esophagus — causing a burning in the chest. Reduce the pain by staying away from these heartburn triggers: alcohol, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, mint, citrus, and spicy or fatty foods.

Constipation: Your bowel muscles also relax during pregnancy (due to hormones), which means your bowels will be less efficient at moving waste out of your system. If you find yourself backed up, slowly start adding more high-fiber foods to your diet (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good picks).

Occasional faintness or dizziness: Still plagued by dizzy spells? Don’t get up from a sitting or prone position too quickly since this can trigger light-headedness. In the event that you do start to feel faint, immediately lie down or sit with your head between your knees

Visible veins on body: Though you may not find these veins a welcome sight, they’re actually a good thing —your increased blood supply is carrying much-needed nutrients to your baby. Even more good news: The vein network fades after you give birth.

DaDDy & MuMMy PeN Off @ 10:24 PM