Your body is betraying you, you can’t remember where you put your car keys, and you’re about to find out the “pregnancy glow” isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. However, many women finally get to feel the evidence of a tiny person growing in there! Read on for more.
Choose Your Week
- Pregnancy Week 13
- Pregnancy Week 14
- Pregnancy Week 15
- Pregnancy Week 16
- Pregnancy Week 17
- Pregnancy Week 18
Sources of information included in this series include What to Expect, American Pregnancy Association, several specific sources cited within the text, and my personal experience as a biological mother of two!
Pregnancy Week 13 Development
How many months pregnant is 13 weeks?
13 weeks equals three months pregnant! You’ve almost completed the first trimester, whoo!
Where is the baby located at 13 weeks?
Slowly rising out of your pelvis as your uterus grows, you’ll most likely find the baby’s heartbeat by listening (with a doppler) roughly 1-3 inches above your public hairline, though it can sometimes be higher by this point (especially if it’s not your first pregnancy).
Can I feel my baby move at 13 weeks?
If it’s your first pregnancy, you’re not likely to feel those first movements, known as the quickening, until at least 16 weeks. But many women report feeling the baby move as soon as 13 weeks into their second pregnancy. I did with my son, despite being obese! It feels like light fluttering below your stomach, like a milder version of going downhill on a roller coaster.
What does a baby look like at 13 weeks?
- Average fetal length at 13 weeks: over 3 inches
- Average fetal weight at 13 weeks: over 1 ounce
Baby’s body has finally grown so that its head is now only about a third of its total length. It’s got beautiful eyes, but they’re hidden behind eyelids that are fused shut to protect them as they continue to develop. While the baby won’t be crying for several more months, vocal cords are in the works.
Up to this point, most fetuses follow a similar pace of development, but soon it’ll be time to stop comparing to the fetus next door. Starting in the second trimester, babies can develop at different speeds. The placenta continues to grow and can weigh well over a pound at birth.
Pregnancy Week 13 Symptoms & Baby Bump
That lovely, protective vaginal discharge may have reached a level of requiring a panty liner to protect your underwear from it. But remember, do NOT try to get rid of it, because you’re putting yourself and your baby at risk of infection. Just wash your vulva and the outside of your vagina like normal, and don’t try shoving the soap inside.
Some women want sex the most during the second trimester of pregnancy when the nausea is fading, the hormones are flowing, and the baby isn’t big enough to literally weigh them down. Your partner may be pretty eager to knock boots as well, what with your extra-big boobs and extra-juicy nether regions.
But if this magical sex-fest period doesn’t happen for you, you’re not alone. Many women feel their least sexy throughout pregnancy as they deal with their changing bodies, goopy hoo-has, and anxiety over becoming a mother.
Speaking of changing bodies, if your tummy seems to be showing a LOT already – like, Am I having twins? a lot – feel free to mention your expanding stomach to your obstetrician. While it could be a sign of twins, it could also be your cravings for sweets, an excessive amount of gas, or more importantly, an incorrect due date. Your doctor should be able to narrow down the possibilities.
Continuing symptoms:
- color-changing breasts
- food cravings and aversions
- heartburn
- gas
- vaginal discharge
- constipation
- dizziness
Pregnancy Week 13 Video
Pregnancy Week 14 Development
How many months pregnant is 14 weeks?
14 weeks equals over three months pregnant! At 14 weeks, you are now in the second trimester – one that many women consider the easiest. Congratulations!
Where is the baby located at 14 weeks?
At 14 weeks, your uterus has moved about 1/3 of the way from its starting point to your belly button, about 4 inches below it.
What does a baby look like at 14 weeks?
- Average fetal length at 14 weeks: almost 4 inches
- Average fetal weight at 14 weeks: 2 ounces
Baby’s forming its first smiles and frowns with those new facial muscles, and hair has sprouted all over the head and body. Unlike the body hair you’re used to, lanugo is a downy coating of hair that keeps the baby warm until it starts piling on the fat, and then it starts to shed. Instead of jerking involuntarily, limb movements are now smooth and purposeful and the arms are lengthening.
In pregnancy week 14, gender is technically possible to determine visually, as the genitalia are fully formed (whether boy or girl). But an ultrasound at this point may not give you the reveal you’re hoping for, because the baby’s still so small and good at hiding!
Pregnancy Week 14 Symptoms & Baby Bump
You are OFFICIALLY in the second trimester! You’re peeing less often, you can touch your boobs without wincing and you’re starting to look like you’re pregnant!
My favorite part of this time was being able to feel the fundus, the firm top of your uterus, when pressing above your pelvic bone. If you’re overweight with a hanging belly, you may have to reach under your “apron” belly to feel it. But it’s proof your baby has been growing, and you’re not just eating too much!
Varicose veins – the large, swollen, less-than-attractive blood vessels that usually show up on your legs – may show up around this time if you’re genetically prone to them. Different from the normal blue veins that become prominent in virtually every woman, these weakened veins often last beyond pregnancy and may never go away. For some women, they can cause discomfort and require professional treatment.
You may start to experience round ligament pain as your belly continues to expand and stretch the ligaments supporting it. This pain usually shows up when coughing, standing up, or changing positions in bed. It’s officially time to take it easy and put your feet up as often as possible. This is the last time you’ll get to sleep as much as you want for many, many years!
Also, you may find yourself with a stuffy nose around now – but it’s not your allergies. Pregnancy hormones increase the production of mucus in all parts of the body, and they don’t exclude your nose.
Continuing symptoms:
- color-changing breasts
- food cravings and aversions
- heartburn
- gas
- vaginal discharge
- constipation
- dizziness
- increased OR decreased sex drive
Pregnancy Week 14 Video
Pregnancy Week 15 Development
How many months pregnant is 15 weeks?
15 weeks equals three-and-a-half months pregnant!
Where is the baby located at 15 weeks?
Your uterus should be about halfway between your pubic bone and your belly button at this point, and you should be able to feel its firmness when you press on the area!
What does a baby look like at 15 weeks?
- Average fetal length at 15 weeks: 4.5 inches
- Average fetal weight at 15 weeks: 2.5 ounces
Baby’s skin is translucent, meaning it’s thin enough to see through. You can see blood vessels right through the skin! The skeleton is starting to ossify (become rigid bone). The ears and eyes are migrating to their permanent positions from the neck and temples, respectively. Baby is able to – and practices how to – breathe, suck, and swallow! Fingerprints are growing on the fingers and toes, making your baby, quite literally, one of a kind.
Pregnancy Week 15 Symptoms & Baby Bump
Around this time, you may notice your gums have become red and swollen. They may even bleed when you floss or brush vigorously, or form small bumps. This is just another fun side effect of hormones and should subside after you give birth. However, dental care is super important during pregnancy, because you’re more at risk for gingivitis and it can progress quickly right now! Brush and use mouthwash twice a day to keep your biters beautiful.
Hopefully, your nausea and food aversions have subsided by now, which means you can finally eat! If you haven’t gained weight yet, that’s normal – but right around now is when most non-obese women start gaining weight, at an average of a pound a week. This doesn’t mean you need to eat 500 extra calories a day, every day (one pound equals 3500 calories). Some of that weight will be retained water, not just baby growth! Most experts recommend eating 200-300 extra (healthy) calories a day in the second trimester.
However, if you’re already overweight or obese, your doctor might recommend zero extra calories – or even a small deficit – because gaining weight is often not recommended in those instances. If you are obese, it is perfectly fine to slowly lose weight throughout pregnancy (I was down ten pounds, from 285 to 275, after my second baby). My OBGYN was thrilled at my six-week postpartum checkup!
Continuing symptoms:
- color-changing breasts
- food cravings
- heartburn
- gas
- vaginal discharge
- constipation
- dizziness
- increased OR decreased sex drive
- varicose veins
- round ligament pain
- increased mucus production
Pregnancy Week 15 Video
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Pregnancy Week 16 Development
How many months pregnant is 16 weeks?
16 weeks equals almost four months pregnant!
Where is the baby located at 16 weeks?
The upward movement of your uterus is going to start slowing down at this point, so the baby is still floating right in between your navel and pubis (or FUPA, in my case). Though you are now able to easily locate your uterus by feeling at this point, no, you can’t hear the baby’s heartbeat with a stethoscope at 16 weeks pregnant. That won’t be a real possibility until about 20 weeks pregnant, and usually only if the baby is in a good position (back facing out).
With my second pregnancy, even at about 110 pounds overweight, I could distinctly feel my baby kicking around at 16 weeks!
What does a baby look like at 16 weeks?
- Average fetal length at 16 weeks: 5 inches
- Average fetal weight at 16 weeks: 3 ounces
Even though the eyes are still closed, your baby is becoming sensitive to light through those eyelids. Soon, it will start practicing the sucking reflex, which is good, since it’ll be doing a lot of it right out of the gate. The circulatory system is also starting to function, which means your baby’s little heart will officially be pumping blood – about 25 quarts a day. Baby’s also big enough to put large amounts of pressure on your blood vessels when you lie flat on your back, so… don’t do that from now on, just to be safe.
If you’re normally a stomach sleeper like me and HATE sleeping on your back, check out this pillow – it was the only way I could comfortably sleep on my side and STAY there! You can also gently pull your stomach up onto the pillow in front of you for support. This should relieve any pulling sensation on your side and back.
Pregnancy Week 16 Symptoms & Baby Bump
If you’re not overweight, there’s no hiding your baby bump now. If you’re obese, you could probably get away with it a little longer if you want to, but probably not more than a couple of weeks – especially if it’s not your first pregnancy!
Most women report “showing” sooner with successive pregnancies. I was able to keep my second pregnancy a secret for 20 weeks, so I could announce it with our family Christmas card with his name and everything! I noticed a big difference in how my clothes were fitting by then, but everyone was very surprised!
Does it seem like your boobs are STILL growing? Well – they probably are. But if you don’t notice much of a difference now from your pre-pregnancy cup size, that’s normal, too. However, it could be a sign that you won’t produce an adequate amount of breast milk, which was 100% true for me. I had virtually no change in my breasts besides color and was never able to exclusively breastfeed either of my children, due to a condition called mammary hypoplasia.
Baby brain (or pregnancy brain) is a very real thing – your brain cell volume decreases throughout pregnancy. This can lead to forgetfulness and lack of focus, so if you find your cell phone in the utensil drawer, blame it on being pregnant! You’ve earned some slack at work and at home anyway; you’re growing a human inside you.
If you think you are leaking amniotic fluid at 16 weeks, call your doctor right away. One way to tell is by emptying your bladder (peeing), putting a smooth, solid white pad in your underwear, and checking it after 30 minutes to see if it’s wet (and doesn’t smell like urine – amniotic fluid is odorless).
Amniotic fluid is constantly replaced, so a slow leak doesn’t necessarily mean there will be harm to your baby. But a leak can put you at risk for infection or premature labor, so your OBGYN will need to monitor it closely.
Continuing symptoms:
- color-changing breasts
- food cravings
- heartburn
- gas
- vaginal discharge
- constipation
- dizziness
- increased OR decreased sex drive
- varicose veins
- round ligament pain
- increased mucus production
- sensitive gums
Pregnancy Week 16 Video
Pregnancy Week 17 Development
How many months pregnant is 17 weeks?
17 weeks equals four months pregnant!
Where is the baby located at 17 weeks?
Somewhere between your belly button and your pubic hairline is where you’ll find your baby – though exactly where is harder to pinpoint. Baby’s still got a lot of wiggle room in the womb right now, so you might feel it more on the left side or right at this point, and that’s totally normal.
What does a baby look like at 17 weeks?
- Average fetal length at 17 weeks: 5.5 inches
- Average fetal weight at 17 weeks: 4.5 ounces
Baby would literally fit in the palm of your hand right now. It looks a bit… skeletal… right now, but it’ll start packing on fat now (just like mama!). This will keep it warm and regulate its body temperature. The heart is now regulated by the brain, so there should be a nice, steady rhythm. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger. Baby can now suck and swallow, which is excellent practice for breastfeeding (or bottle feeding).
Pregnancy Week 17 Symptoms & Baby Bump
Since you’re gaining weight at a faster pace now, you may also notice stretch marks – and not just on your belly! They can show up anywhere during pregnancy, even in the middle of your back and thighs!
Whether or not you’ll get them doesn’t have much to do with how big your baby is or how much lotion you apply every day. Unfortunately, this is a genetic thing, so if your mother had them, you probably will, too. Also, the whiter you are (tanning doesn’t count), the higher your chances of stretch marks (and my pale, tiger-striped body is proof!).
Stretch marks will make your skin itch like crazy, so keep your body moisturized with a high-quality lotion like Aveeno Creamy Body Oil. I used it throughout both of my pregnancies, and it doesn’t feel greasy at all!
If you weren’t a snorer before, you might be now, thanks to your stuffy nose. Try sleeping with a humidifier or slightly elevating your head. Can’t stop snoring? Tell your partner they can sleep on the couch instead of offering to go yourself – your comfort and rest are more important than theirs right now (and a mother’s always should be, in my opinion).
You might have that “pregnancy glow” going for you now – but it’s not as wonderful as it sounds. This is actually excessive oil on your face, thanks to your increased circulation and bodily secretions. I’m oily enough without being pregnant, and I highly recommend keeping some oil-absorbing sheets in your purse. They remove oil while leaving your makeup in place! I’ve been using them since I was a teenager and ALWAYS have a pack in my purse.
Continuing symptoms:
- color-changing breasts
- food cravings
- heartburn
- gas
- vaginal discharge
- constipation
- dizziness
- increased OR decreased sex drive
- varicose veins
- round ligament pain
- increased mucus production
- sensitive gums
- forgetfulness
Pregnancy Week 17 Video
Pregnancy Week 18 Development
How many months pregnant is 18 weeks?
18 weeks equals over four months pregnant!
Where is the baby located at 18 weeks?
Baby hasn’t moved much since last week, and is still below your belly button. At this point, the location of your placenta may become of more importance to your doctor.
You may have an ultrasound that determines you have a low-lying placenta at 18 weeks. This is called a placenta previa, and it can be marginal (barely overlapping the cervix), partial (covering part of the cervix), or complete (on top of the whole cervix) and it’s pretty common at this point in pregnancy. Your doctor will do future ultrasounds to see if the placenta has moved away from the cervix as your uterus continues to grow.
What does a baby look like at 18 weeks?
- Average fetal length at 18 weeks: 6 inches
- Average fetal weight at 18 weeks: 6 ounces
Don’t get on the baby’s nerves, they’re not protected yet! But now an insulation called myelin is forming around them, which will continue to grow for about a year after it’s born. A girl’s fallopian tubes and uterus are now in place (crazy, right?) and a boy’s genitals should be on full display. Baby can yawn and hiccup now, and the luckiest of moms might get to see one of these acts on her next ultrasound!
Pregnancy Week 18 Symptoms & Baby Bump
Your back may be hurting now as your center of gravity shifts forward, arching your back and pushing your abdomen out. This makes your bump even more prominent as well, so get ready to hear LOTS of unsolicited comments and advice from every stranger you meet! Elevate your feet whenever possible, both when sitting or while standing (you could perch one foot at a time on a small stool).
Is that gas, or… was that a kick? Many women experience feeling the baby’s first movements around this time. And if you’re wondering, no, your weight has nothing to do with how soon you’ll get to feel baby on the inside. Still, it might be a few more weeks before you’re finally certain that’s a foot tapping the top of your belly – I was nearly 21 weeks before I felt my first baby kick.
One of the worst symptoms of pregnancy that can start around the halfway point is leg cramps (charlie horses), and they usually happen in the middle of the night. The reason isn’t clear, but there’s a chance it’s because of certain nutrients being used up by the baby, leaving none for you to keep your muscles calm. It could also be the weight of your uterus restricting blood flow to your legs. Stretching your calves before bed can help.
During my pregnancies, I found that drinking Gatorade helped with muscle cramps even more than eating bananas (especially if you’re constipated). But what works even better for muscle cramps is a Magnesium supplement – just make sure you talk to your doctor before taking any extra medication, including over-the-counter. If you do end up with leg spasms, try to straighten your leg and pull your toes toward your knees to stretch it out.
Continuing symptoms:
- color-changing breasts
- food cravings
- heartburn
- gas
- vaginal discharge
- constipation
- dizziness
- increased OR decreased sex drive
- varicose veins
- round ligament pain
- increased mucus and oil production
- sensitive gums
- forgetfulness
- stretch marks
