13 obstetric week corresponds to 11 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, the fetus grows rapidly. The length of his body, counting from the crown to the end of the coccyx, lies in the range of 6.6-7.9 cm, and its weight is 14-20 g.
How does the body of a pregnant woman change?
In 13 obstetric weeks, the uterus considerably increases in size. The future mother can find her independently at the bottom of her abdomen, 10 cm below the navel. In this case, the uterus fills the entire hip region and continues to grow upward, moving into the abdominal cavity. The woman has a feeling, as if inside it grows a soft and smooth ball.
As a rule, at a pregnancy of 13 obstetric weeks the woman considerably adds weight. But, if the pregnant woman constantly suffered from toxicosis , which manifests itself with nausea and vomiting, then maybe her weight even decreased.
Due to the increase in the size of the fetus, in the early stages of women, stretch marks may appear on the body. Characteristic places from the localization are the hips, sides, chest of the pregnant woman.
How does the fetus develop and grow?
It is at the gestation period of 13-14 weeks that the stage of embryonic development ends and a long period of fetal development begins. Currently, there is a rapid growth of tissues, as well as baby's organs, which are already fully formed. The period of active growth lasts up to 24 weeks. In comparison with 7 weeks of gestation, the fetal body length is doubled. The greatest increase in weight of the fetus is observed at 8-10 weeks of pregnancy.
At the same time at the period of 13-14 weeks, the following feature is noted: the growth rate of the head volume decreases in comparison with the growth of the trunk. At this time, the length of the head is half the length of the trunk (from the crown to the buttocks).
The face of the baby begins to acquire the habitual features of an adult. Eyes with this, which appeared on both sides of the head, slowly begin to get closer to each other, and the ears occupy their normal position, located at the sides.
The external genitalia are already sufficiently formed, which makes it possible to determine the sex of the future child.
The intestine, which initially developed as a slight thickening of the umbilical cord, is located outside the body and gradually retracts into the fetus. If this does not happen, develop an omphalocele (umbilical hernia). This phenomenon is quite rare and occurs 1 time per 10,000 pregnancies. After birth, the baby is operated on, after which he becomes completely healthy.