What To Expect When You’re 13 Weeks Pregnant

Midnight Snacks – There is no wrong in reaching for a late-night snack during pregnancy. In fact, they can be beneficial.

Just be sure you know exactly what you’re putting in your body, or you might pay for it in excessive weight gain or even heartburn.

Keep away from the junk food and the snacks high in fat or sugar. Choose foods that will satisfy you and curb your cravings. Reach for peanut butter, honey, cheese, or even whole grain cereal.

Accidents – Everyone knows you have a lot on your mind these days. Plus, with a growing body, it can get more difficult to remain as graceful as you once were. Even if you’ve been nicknamed a klutz, pregnancy might raise the bar to a new level of klutziness.

To avoid accidents, remember to slow down. Make deliberate movements rather than jerky or sudden ones. Twisting your midriff is now on the must-not-do list, so keep your spine aligned. Practicing mindfulness and yoga will help you to approach your movements differently. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Running – Much like any other exercise regime, if you were running before pregnancy, then you can likely continue doing it. Although some modifications might be necessary, you probably won’t have to shy away from your running routine all that much.

This is especially true if you don’t have a high-risk pregnancy. Though always check with your doctor first. Remember to warm up and cool down for several minutes. The most important thing is to listen to your body. Here’s what you need to know before you hit the pavement.

Working – Many more women are working during pregnancy now than there were even just 30 years ago. As long as your work environment doesn’t harm you or your baby, then there is nothing wrong with working.

A lot of women are comfortable working up until giving birth, but that choice is always up to you as a mom. Even with the vast range of jobs women can hold, here are a few tips that cover the safety spectrum of this topic.

Stretch Marks – Officially known as striae distensae to the medical world. To the rest of the world, at least to us women, they’re known as “tiger stripes.”

These notorious stretch marks occur when the deep layers of elastic fibers and collagen in your skin pull apart. They appear as dark pink, red, or purple streaks.

Although typically showing up later in pregnancy, you might very well be seeing them already. The color and intensity of them will likely fade. For now, keep your skin well-hydrated and avoid excessive weight gain.

Sex Drive – With the first trimester behind you, you’re probably feeling much better. Physically, you’re rejuvenated. Mentally, you’re positive. Sexually, you might be ready to go!

The second trimester is a time when many women experience a rise in their libido. And further still, due to the increase in blood volume, your genitalia is likely to be more sensitive making orgasm an epic experience. Here are some tips on pregnant sex.

Breast Changes – No matter if you were looking forward to the changes in your breasts or it really didn’t cross your mind, they will change nonetheless.

The mammary glands are activated in pregnancy like never before. The hormones in your body will cause an increase of blood to fill your breast tissue.

Even if you don’t plan on breastfeeding, your breasts won’t get that memo until after birth. You might experience a darkening of the areola and an enlarging of your nipples. Little bumps on your nipples called Montgomery glands are likely to develop more prominently now, as well.

Visible Veins – Now and in the coming weeks, you might start to notice a zig-zag of veins underneath the layers of skin on your breasts, belly, and sometimes even your hands.

It’s not at all uncommon for this to happen. The reasoning is that your blood volume has significantly increased and you can see this increase through your skin.