Your baby is as tall as an English hothouse cucumber and weighs about 1 2/3 pounds. (Length: 14 inches, head to heel.)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
26 Weeks
Your baby is as tall as an English hothouse cucumber and weighs about 1 2/3 pounds. (Length: 14 inches, head to heel.)
26 Weeks- Development
Your Baby This Coming Week
Your baby weighs more than 2 lbs (1000g), measures 9.6 inches from crown to rump (24cm) and its total length is about 15.3 inches (34cm). If your baby were born now, she would have about an 85% chance of surviving. Nonetheless, your baby still needs another 13 weeks of in utero development to be considered full term.
Your baby's eyes, no longer fused shut, are now open.
Your baby's skin still has a very wrinkled appearance, but it is protected and nourished by the covering of vernix, a waxy coating that keeps the skin supple.
Your baby looks almost like a full term baby, but is still much thinner and smaller than she will be at birth.
Your Body This Coming Week
The end of this week marks the end of your second trimester.
Regular weight gain will continue until about the 36th week of pregnancy. Your breasts may be sore and uncomfortably heavy since they have increased in size.
You can be susceptible to urinary tract infection from this stage onwards. Drinking plenty of water can help.
Your cholesterol levels may be elevated, though this is usually normal in late pregnancy as cholesterol helps build up the pregnancy hormones that are being produced by the placenta. Of those hormones, progesterone is particularly important right now as it aids breast development and the muscles of the uterus.
26 Week Journal
How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Ugh. Up 3 pounds this week. Didn't think I was eating that much more.
Stretch Marks: Nothing new.
Sleep: Usually sleeping through the night. Had to get up a couple of nights to go to the bathroom, but luckily I'm able to fall right back asleep. Wondering if I'll continue to have that ability once Baby is here.
Best moment this week: Not baby related, but we finally got a new storage cabinet for all of our games. We've had so many that they were spread around in a couple of different places without enough space. Chris was going to build a cabinet, but on the way to the lumberyard we stopped at Ikea. We found some great deals in the "as is" area. And there's even an area reserved for kids games and toys, although I know it won't be nearly enough space.
Chris also pointed out that there are now fewer than 100 days until my due date.
And congrats to my cousin Beth who announced that's she's due in Jan with #3.
Movement: Baby has been kicking/ punching up a storm this week! In the past I would usually feel the most movement when lying in bed. Now it's in the car, sitting at my desk at work, sitting at my sewing machine... For the most part it's nice, but sometimes I have to tell the little one to calm down a bit. S/he doesn't listen.
Belly Button in or out? In. I keep thinking this won't last much longer, but I still have an innie.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for: I can't wait to be done sewing Baby's quilt! It's taking much longer than I would have anticipated.
Total weight gain/loss: Ugh. Up 3 pounds this week. Didn't think I was eating that much more.
Stretch Marks: Nothing new.
Sleep: Usually sleeping through the night. Had to get up a couple of nights to go to the bathroom, but luckily I'm able to fall right back asleep. Wondering if I'll continue to have that ability once Baby is here.
Best moment this week: Not baby related, but we finally got a new storage cabinet for all of our games. We've had so many that they were spread around in a couple of different places without enough space. Chris was going to build a cabinet, but on the way to the lumberyard we stopped at Ikea. We found some great deals in the "as is" area. And there's even an area reserved for kids games and toys, although I know it won't be nearly enough space.
Chris also pointed out that there are now fewer than 100 days until my due date.
And congrats to my cousin Beth who announced that's she's due in Jan with #3.
Movement: Baby has been kicking/ punching up a storm this week! In the past I would usually feel the most movement when lying in bed. Now it's in the car, sitting at my desk at work, sitting at my sewing machine... For the most part it's nice, but sometimes I have to tell the little one to calm down a bit. S/he doesn't listen.
Belly Button in or out? In. I keep thinking this won't last much longer, but I still have an innie.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for: I can't wait to be done sewing Baby's quilt! It's taking much longer than I would have anticipated.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
25 Weeks
Your baby rivals the average rutabaga in weight -- about 1 1/2 pounds. (Length: 13 1/2 inches, head to heel.)
25 Weeks- Development
Your Baby This Coming Week
Your baby weighs just under 2 pounds (850g) and could possibly survive if delivered now. Your baby measures approximately 9.2 inches (23cm) from crown to rump.
He is growing fast and gaining weight now. His skin is less transparent and is becoming opaque as fat builds up.
Your baby's heart is beating 120 to 160 beats per minute, as you have already heard at several doctor or midwife visits.
Until now, your baby's eyes have been sealed shut, but he reopens them this week. The eyes are almost fully formed and the retinas contain all the layers they will have when your baby is born. Your baby's eyes are blue right now, no matter the ethnic origin or eye-color of you and your partner since eyes do not acquire their final color until months after birth.
Your baby is lean right now, but is getting fatter all the time as fat is being deposited. Your baby's skin is getting thicker and paler and is becoming less red and wrinkled as more fat is deposited.
Your baby has eyebrows, eyelashes and fingernails, though all are short and need to grow more.
Your Body This Coming Week
You feel definite movement now as your baby does gymnastic routines in your uterus. This may even cause you some pain under your ribs and in your lower abdomen as your baby now has some force. Lying on your side may help to alleviate this kind of pain.
You may have fluid retention, particularly in the facial area.
The top of your uterus is now between your bellybutton and your ribcage.
Your increasing size may cause increasing discomfort. You might be experiencing back pain, leg cramps, headaches and pressure around your pelvic area.
25 Week Journal
How far along? 25 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up one more pound. (Total of 19 pounds so far.)
Stretch Marks: Maybe a couple of little ones on my hip, but nothing to worry about.
Sleep: Decent, although I've been staying up way too late.
Best moment this week: Making progress with the bedding. Bumpers are done and the quilt is in progress. I'll be glad when it's done. The first order of cloth diapers arrived and I used my old Cabbage patch Kid, Eleanore, to practice putting them on.
Worst moment this week: Frustrated at my OBs office who keeps calling me to reschedule appointments. And the new times they give me aren't convenient at all!
Movement: Moving up a storm, or at least I'm noticing movement more than usual.
Labor Pains: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? Still in.
Wedding rings on or off? On. However in the heat and humidity they can get pretty tight.
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for: Anxious for the next few months to go buy quickly, but also not feeling ready yet.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't overdo it. Take it easy when you can.
Milestones/Fun Moments: Baby went to Fenway Park for the 3rd time. However, this time wasn't for a baseball game. Fenway was hosting a football match (that's soccer, in American-speak). And the team we were rooting for won. Lots of fun.
Total weight gain/loss: Up one more pound. (Total of 19 pounds so far.)
Stretch Marks: Maybe a couple of little ones on my hip, but nothing to worry about.
Sleep: Decent, although I've been staying up way too late.
Best moment this week: Making progress with the bedding. Bumpers are done and the quilt is in progress. I'll be glad when it's done. The first order of cloth diapers arrived and I used my old Cabbage patch Kid, Eleanore, to practice putting them on.
Worst moment this week: Frustrated at my OBs office who keeps calling me to reschedule appointments. And the new times they give me aren't convenient at all!
Movement: Moving up a storm, or at least I'm noticing movement more than usual.
Labor Pains: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? Still in.
Wedding rings on or off? On. However in the heat and humidity they can get pretty tight.
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for: Anxious for the next few months to go buy quickly, but also not feeling ready yet.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't overdo it. Take it easy when you can.
Milestones/Fun Moments: Baby went to Fenway Park for the 3rd time. However, this time wasn't for a baseball game. Fenway was hosting a football match (that's soccer, in American-speak). And the team we were rooting for won. Lots of fun.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
24 Weeks
Your baby has caught up with an ear of corn in size and gained about 1/4 pound since last week. (Length: almost a foot.)
24 Weeks- Development
Your Baby This Coming Week
Your baby now weighs around 1.5 lbs (700g), and measures about 8.8 inches (22cm) from crown to rump, but this varies from baby to baby.
Your doctor should be able to hear your baby's heartbeat, using a stethoscope or Doppler ultrasound device. If your partner puts his ear right on your belly in the right position, he might even be able to hear it unaided if there is no background noise.
Your baby sleeps and wakes in a more regular pattern now. You may notice that your baby is particularly active when you are resting.
The center of your baby's bones are beginning to harden.
If your baby is a boy, the testes will start to descend into the scrotum now. If your baby is a girl, the vagina will begin to hollow out and mature now.
Your baby can make a fist now and may already have a preference for the right or left hand.
With modern medical technology, your baby would have a chance to survive if it were born now.
Your Body This Coming Week
Your uterus is about the size of a soccer ball and you are probably noticeably bigger, especially when viewed from the side.
You may be suffering from cramps and because your baby is pressing against your bladder, you likely feel the need to urinate frequently. Earlier pregnancy symptoms, such as Braxton Hicks contractions, may persist.
You may be feeling indigestion or heartburn at this time. This is because your uterus has displaced your stomach and has pushed your diaphragm and lower ribs up, making it more likely that acid will be pushed up into the esophagus, particularly after large and heavy meals. Progesterone, which is enormously increased during pregnancy also plays a role since it slows down the emptying of food from your stomach. Eating several small meals can help alleviate heartburn. If it becomes very uncomfortable, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a safe antacid.
24 Week Journal
How far along? 24 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up 1 more pound. (At least I've been consistent the past few weeks.)
Stretch Marks: Not that I've noticed.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Chris felt the baby kicking. And I think I saw my first kicks.
Worst moment this week: The heat and humidity continue. Blech.
Movement: Mostly feel Baby in the evenings when I'm reading in bed.
Labor Pains: Not yet.
Belly Button in or out? Still in.
Wedding rings on or off? They're on.
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for: Can't wait to have the nursery all put together!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't think that you can do it all. Try to ask for help more frequently.
Accomplishments this week/ What we need to do: Slowly making progress on the nursery bedding. Valance and crib skirt are done. Bumpers are mostly done- or at least the time consuming part is done. Need to finish those, make the quilt, and I also decided to make a couple of liners for baskets that we got for the changing table. Lots more to do though in the nursery- paint, order photos, get them matted and framed, etc.
Other accomplishments- we finished registering and I ordered our first bunch of cloth diapers.
Total weight gain/loss: Up 1 more pound. (At least I've been consistent the past few weeks.)
Stretch Marks: Not that I've noticed.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Chris felt the baby kicking. And I think I saw my first kicks.
Worst moment this week: The heat and humidity continue. Blech.
Movement: Mostly feel Baby in the evenings when I'm reading in bed.
Labor Pains: Not yet.
Belly Button in or out? Still in.
Wedding rings on or off? They're on.
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for: Can't wait to have the nursery all put together!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't think that you can do it all. Try to ask for help more frequently.
Accomplishments this week/ What we need to do: Slowly making progress on the nursery bedding. Valance and crib skirt are done. Bumpers are mostly done- or at least the time consuming part is done. Need to finish those, make the quilt, and I also decided to make a couple of liners for baskets that we got for the changing table. Lots more to do though in the nursery- paint, order photos, get them matted and framed, etc.
Other accomplishments- we finished registering and I ordered our first bunch of cloth diapers.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
23 Weeks
Your baby weighs about as much as a large mango -- just over a pound. (Length: more than 11 inches.)
23 Weeks- Development
Your Baby This Coming Week
Your baby is now about 8.4 inches from crown to rump (21cm) and weighs about 1.2 pounds (530g).
Your baby's face and body now look more like a full-term baby. She now looks close to how she will look at birth.
The eyes, though they are still closed, are now close together on the front of the face and the ears are in their final position. Eyelashes are fairly well-developed and hair is growing on your baby's head.
Your baby's movements are becoming more restricted now as she fills up the uterus more. Cartwheels and somersaults inside the amniotic sac are no longer possible, but she can still hold the umbilical cord and touch and feel around her. Though your baby is already living in tight quarters in the amniotic sac, she will soon have even less room to move around.
Her vital organs are now quite mature. However, since the lungs are not yet fully formed, your baby would have breathing problems if born prematurely at this stage.
Your baby is becoming increasingly conscious of the world outside and may feel startled when you are startled.
Your baby may alternate between having very active and very calm periods.
Your baby may have facial expressions such as frowning, squinting and pursing of the lips.
Your Body This Coming Week
The top of your uterus now reaches about 2 inches above your bellybutton.
You may be feeling Braxton Hicks contractions. These "practice" contractions pump blood to the uterus and prepare the body for labor.
You may continue to feel mood swings, fatigue and heartburn. You may sweat frequently as your body temperature is high during pregnancy.
You may have extra weight on your upper arms, shoulders and on your face due to water retention. Your weight gain may be causing bladder problems, sore feet and fatigue. To combat the fatigue and sore feet, wear comfortable shoes, put your feet up whenever you can and rest whenever possible.
23 Week Journal
How far along? 23 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up another pound.
Stretch Marks:Nope.
Sleep: Decent, even with the heat wave we've had, thanks to a couple of AC units from friends of ours.
Best moment this week: Getting another peek at the little one during the ultrasound and fetal echocardiogram. (See previous post.)
Gender prediction: No clue. But I did appreciate that at the place I've been going for my extra tests, on the front of my chart is says we don't want to know. And then the ultrasound tech first greeted us she confirmed that we still didn't want to know. I like that they were a bit more sensitive to that.
Movement: Yup. Looking forward to Chris being able to feel movement though.
Labor Pains: Nothing yet.
Belly Button in or out? Still in.
Wedding rings on or off? On, although on some of the hotter days they've gotten a bit stuck.
Milestones/Fun Moments: Seeing Baby again. Can't wait to finally meet the little one. Only 4 more months.
What we need to do: Working on getting the nursery put together. Did a little bit of rearranging (it's going to be tight in there!) and started to make the bedding. We're going with a British theme, so I'm making a Union Jack quilt and coordinating bedskirt, bumper, and valance.
Total weight gain/loss: Up another pound.
Stretch Marks:Nope.
Sleep: Decent, even with the heat wave we've had, thanks to a couple of AC units from friends of ours.
Best moment this week: Getting another peek at the little one during the ultrasound and fetal echocardiogram. (See previous post.)
Gender prediction: No clue. But I did appreciate that at the place I've been going for my extra tests, on the front of my chart is says we don't want to know. And then the ultrasound tech first greeted us she confirmed that we still didn't want to know. I like that they were a bit more sensitive to that.
Movement: Yup. Looking forward to Chris being able to feel movement though.
Labor Pains: Nothing yet.
Belly Button in or out? Still in.
Wedding rings on or off? On, although on some of the hotter days they've gotten a bit stuck.
Milestones/Fun Moments: Seeing Baby again. Can't wait to finally meet the little one. Only 4 more months.
What we need to do: Working on getting the nursery put together. Did a little bit of rearranging (it's going to be tight in there!) and started to make the bedding. We're going with a British theme, so I'm making a Union Jack quilt and coordinating bedskirt, bumper, and valance.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
More pictures of the little one
We went back today for a Fetal Echocardiogram. Pretty much everything looks good. And apparently all babies have holes in their hearts. They need them in utero, and then they usually heal when born. Anyway, there is some slight "leaking" as the blood flows between two of the chambers of the heart, but the doctor said it's nothing to worry about; it's not something that concerns him. This was wonderful news! Just to be safe, we go back in another 4 weeks to get another look. Oh, and the heart is now about the size of a quarter. Definitely a lot bigger than a few weeks ago when it was the size of the tip of your pinkie.
And then after the fetal echo, they did a very quick ultrasound. I liked one of the profile pictures so I asked if we could have it, and then she kept printing more. She printed out 8 for us- here are my favorite three. But we were shocked. In the past we've only walked out with one or two pictures. I think the one with the feet is my favorite of all of them.
And then after the fetal echo, they did a very quick ultrasound. I liked one of the profile pictures so I asked if we could have it, and then she kept printing more. She printed out 8 for us- here are my favorite three. But we were shocked. In the past we've only walked out with one or two pictures. I think the one with the feet is my favorite of all of them.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
22 Weeks
Your baby has stretched to the size of a spaghetti squash and weighs almost a pound. (Length: nearly 11 inches.)
22 Weeks- Development
Your Baby This Coming Week
Your baby now weighs almost 1 lb (450g) and measures about 8 inches (20cm) from crown to rump.
She is becoming plumper as her fat is being laid down at a high rate, but her skin is still wrinkled and reddish. The wrinkled and loose appearance of her skin is due to the faster production of her skin than the fat that fills it out. The reddish appearance of her skin is due to the deposition of pigment as her skin loses its translucent appearance.
Your baby can kick and punch vigorously by now, but she may also be gently feeling the umbilical cord and rubbing her hands and face against the inside membrane of the amniotic sac that holds her.
She is still swallowing amniotic fluid (which provides an important nutritional supplement to the nutrition she gets from you via the placenta) and is passing some of it as urine. The swallowing of the amniotic fluid may cause your baby to get the hiccups and you may even be able to feel this as her body jumps inside yours.
The lanugo hair on your baby's body may turn darker at this time.
Your Body This Coming Week
Most women have gained between 10-15lbs (4.5-6.8kg) by this time, though your experience may vary. Your doctor should be able to tell you what is the best weight gain for you.
Your doctor or midwife can feel the different parts of the baby through your abdominal wall by external palpitation.
Your legs may feel swollen. Heartburn, round ligament pain and fatigue may persist or may disappear.
As your uterus enlarges, it puts pressure on your bladder and you feel the need to urinate more frequently.
You may have an occasional stitch-like pain down the side of your belly. This is the uterine muscle stretching and the pain generally goes away if you have a rest.
You may begin to feel Braxton Hicks contractions around this time. These are "practice" contractions that help your uterus to prepare for labor. You may notice them getting stronger as your pregnancy progresses, but they are rarely painful or regular like real labor contractions. If you are not sure whether you are experiencing real labor contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions, it is best to talk to your prenatal care provider.
22 Week Journal
How far along? 22 weeks.
Total weight gain/loss: Up a pound, for a total of 16.
TP test: I've decided not to do this test any more as it is silly and I don't really believe the "measurements" I've been getting lately.
Maternity Clothes: Yup. Even ordered more, which arrived last night. Tried them on and one or two even make me look more pregnant than I am.
Food cravings/ aversions: Nope.
Signs of Pregnancy: Just looking at me, there is no hiding it!
Stretch Marks: Nothing yet.
Sleep: Pretty good. Except for last night. Couldn't fall asleep and couldn't get comfy.
Big things this week: Started to register, although we are no where near complete.
Gender prediction: Not a prediction, but Boy Chris confessed that he's secretly hoping for a girl. :)
Movement: Starting to feel the occasional kick/punch.
Labor Pains: Nope. Too early.
Belly Button in or out? Still in. Much shallower though.
Wedding rings on or off? They're still on.
Total weight gain/loss: Up a pound, for a total of 16.
TP test: I've decided not to do this test any more as it is silly and I don't really believe the "measurements" I've been getting lately.
Maternity Clothes: Yup. Even ordered more, which arrived last night. Tried them on and one or two even make me look more pregnant than I am.
Food cravings/ aversions: Nope.
Signs of Pregnancy: Just looking at me, there is no hiding it!
Stretch Marks: Nothing yet.
Sleep: Pretty good. Except for last night. Couldn't fall asleep and couldn't get comfy.
Big things this week: Started to register, although we are no where near complete.
Gender prediction: Not a prediction, but Boy Chris confessed that he's secretly hoping for a girl. :)
Movement: Starting to feel the occasional kick/punch.
Labor Pains: Nope. Too early.
Belly Button in or out? Still in. Much shallower though.
Wedding rings on or off? They're still on.
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