Day 92 of 280, second trimester
You are 13 weeks and 1 day
Relief, excitement, apprehension: it's normal to feel all of these and more at this stage.
188 days until your due date
You're probably feeling much better physically and have more energy, but you may still be up and down emotionally. This is completely normal.
This can be a very emotional time. Reaching the second trimester is a milestone and coincides with seeing your baby on the scan. With the risk of miscarriage now so small, you know you're really going to have a baby, but like many women, you may find relief followed by occasional worries.
Exercise is a good outlet for all this emotional energy, and you may find it easier now that the first-trimester tiredness has passed. It releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones, improving your emotional and physical wellbeing, but always exercise safely.
As a matter of fact
Exercise and labor
Exercising may shorten your labor.
Research shows women who exercise at moderate to high intensity can cut their labor by up to three hours and tend to have less complicated deliveries.
Explainer
Brisk walking
Instead of a gentle stroll, try walking briskly, but make sure you can still talk. That keeps you at a moderate aerobic level.
Good to know
Listening to your body
Check with your doctor whether there's any reason you shouldn't exercise; some conditions, such as placenta previa or a risk of premature labor, may rule it out. Always use common sense and watch for signs you're overdoing it.
Heart rate is often used to track aerobic exercise, but it's unreliable in pregnancy because your resting heart rate rises naturally. The best way to stay at a safe level is the talk test: you should be able to hold a conversation while exercising, which shows you're not exhausting yourself and possibly restricting oxygen to your baby.
Stop exercising and get medical advice if you have any of these, even briefly:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Dizziness or headaches
- Chest pain
- Extreme, sudden muscle weakness
- Calf pain or leg swelling
- Leaking amniotic fluid
Appointments and key dates around now
- Dating scanBetween 11 and 14 weeks
Read the full 13 weeks pregnant guide
This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.