The promise of laughter, cries and very first words start now with the formation of vocal cords.
That big baby head is getting more in balance with the rest of the body. Right now, her head is about half the size of her total frame.
Fetal Growth Rates
What's up with your baby? Well, besides being as large as a peach now, that head of hers is now about half the size of her crown-to-rump length (that's one reason why your little peach looks more like an alien from outer space at this point). By the time you give birth, her body will catch up, measuring three-quarters of her total size.
But don't compare your fetus with the fetus next door. Starting in the next week or so, babies begin growing at different paces, some faster than others, some more slowly, though they all follow the same developmental path.
Baby's Intestines & Vocal Cords Are Developing
What else is going on in there? At 13 weeks pregnant, tiny bones are beginning to form in her arms and legs. Because she can move them 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).
Your baby's intestines are also in for some big changes. Up 'til this point, they've been growing in a cavity inside the umbilical cord, but now they're moving to their permanent (and more conveniently located) address, in your baby's abdomen. And to serve your growing fetus' needs, the placenta is also growing, eventually weighing one to two pounds at birth (something else you'll soon be able to blame your weight gain on!).
Also developing this week: your baby's vocal cords (the first step toward saying, "I love you, Mommy!"). Because sound can't travel through your uterus, you won't be able to hear any sounds or cries just yet, but you can bet those vocal cords will get a good workout once she's born.
My symptoms so far:
- mild vomiting persists. usually once or twice a week
- headaches- almost every day
- breast tenderness
- weight gain- finally!!!
