13 Weeks Pregnant

Hooray! Your morning sickness should be starting to subside, and miscarriage is less of a risk. Your second trimester will bring both relief and reality. Yes, you're really having a baby! Now that the high-risk period is over, you probably have some pregnancy announcements to make. That is, if you've been able to keep the big news a secret.  And if there's a big brother or sister in the house, now is the time to let siblings know that a baby is on the way.

Time to celebrate! You've almost survived your first trimester. Some of your aches and pains may finally be disappearing. You may notice that in place of nausea you're feeling hungry—notorious pregnancy cravings often begin now. As your uterus continues to expand, chances are you're having some troubles with heartburn, indigestion, and flatulence, as well.

A Reason to Celebrate
Many women find the upcoming second trimester of their pregnancies the most enjoyable, as nuisances such as nausea give way to attractive baby bumps and enviable pregnancy glow.

Here are a few reasons why you're feeling so good:

• Disappearing nausea: Although it's not uncommon for morning sickness to linger into the second trimester, your sick days are probably coming to an end. The reason why? Your body has become accustomed to the increased hormones propelling you into baby-mode.

• Increased appetite: Now that your nausea is on the way out, it's time to enjoy food again. You may notice that your appetite grows along with your baby-to-be. Bring on the ice cream and pickles!

• Growing baby bump: Your body's changing inside and out to accommodate your developing baby. Your internal organs shift positions to make room for an expanding uterus, and your skin stretches to allow your bump to grow outward. You're finally not just feeling pregnant—you're looking pregnant, too! "Showing" is probably a relief. People are more likely to hold the door open for you, pass on a sympathetic smile, and even let you cut in line at the grocery store.

• Lessening breast tenderness: Your breasts went through a big growth spurt during your first trimester that may have left them sore and uncomfortable. They most likely will not increase in size during the second trimester (but they may fill out more); you may notice some "starter" milk or colostrum leaking out of your nipples later in the second trimester as your body readies for baby.

While some pregnancy symptoms fade with time, others don't. You'll still need to take plenty of trips to the bathroom as your growing baby-to-be puts pressure on your bladder. You're also going to continue to feel tired—unfortunately that's a constant during pregnancy—but your baby bump is still small enough that you should be able to rest comfortably. So give yourself a break and relax!