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The Inside Story: Your Baby in Week Thirteen

As you enter your second trimester, your baby is growing quickly--and you will be able to hear his heartbeat at your next doctor's visit!
By Dr. Laura Riley from Parents Magazine

Your baby is ramping up his growth rate. Your baby's organs, now fully formed, will mature during this trimester in preparation for life after birth. You still supply his oxygen through your bloodstream, but your baby will exercise his lungs and work his chest muscles. His kidneys are getting some practice too, and the amniotic fluid now contains fetal urine. The placenta is working alongside your baby, producing hormones and red blood cells.

His skin is becoming more waterproof. His heartbeat will start slowing down, but it will be strong enough for you to hear during your prenatal visit. His brain is continuing to grow. In fact everything will start growing so fast this month that your baby will almost double in length by the end of the 2nd trimester. Grow, baby, grow!

Originally published in You & Your Baby: Pregnancy.

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