Beginning Week 19

While baby is continuing to grow, the development that is occurring is very specific. For example, the kidneys are making urine, and hair is beginning to sprout on baby's scalp. The parts of the brain that are responsible for the senses are specializing. Baby is around 7 ounces now and 7.5 inches long.

Baby's body is making myelin, a fatty substance that coats and insulates the nerves throughout the body so that electrical impulses can travel from her brain out to the tips of the toes and back again. The oil glands are now producing vernix caseosa, a greasy white coating designed to protect baby's delicate skin from the harsh amniotic fluid.

I still feel good. I've been having ever slight pains in my abdomen and found out that it's normal. Round ligament pain is most common during the second trimester. The round ligament supports the uterus and stretches during pregnancy. It connects the front portion of the uterus to the groin. Any movement (including going from a sitting position to standing position quickly)that stretches these ligaments, by making the ligaments contract quickly, can cause pain.

It's amazing what you learn. I'm starting to "feel" pregnant now. I can see a little belly and even sitting poses a challenge if I have normal pants on. What fun there is to come ahead! It's crazy to think we have to really start thinking about what baby gear we need to get. By the end of the year, we probably need to have most of it on hand.

Kevin is doing well. He's working like a trooper on the kitchen. It really is going to be beautiful when finished. Like me, the house is going through growing pains.

Beginning Week 18

This week, baby's fingerprints are nearly complete and the heart has formed completely so that you can see the heart's different structures on the ultrasound. Mine isn't until October 8th. Baby's senses are rapidly maturing too. At long last baby can use the ears and the inner ear bones and nerve endings from his ears to the brain have developed enough so that baby might startle if baby hears a loud noise.

Baby can also sense sounds like my heartbeat and blood pumping through the umbilical cord!! Baby has 200 bones and will have 300 by the time baby is born. Baby is also as big as the placenta, which is still the main source for nutrients and oxygen. That might explain why I'm finally showing a little tummy!

I still feel great and the house is coming along really nicely. I'm happy fall is here. The pants might have to be introduced to my Bella Band pretty soon. It's Lycra fabric that helps keep the pants up without having to wear maternity pants yet, because I'm not quite at that point!

Beginning Week 17, Beginning Month 5

As my abdomen continues to grow, it will begin moving other organs around to compensate for the growth of the uterus and baby. (I think this is so strange.) The top of the uterus is beginning to appear more rounded and is lengthening. It is starting to push my intestines up and out towards the side of my abdomen. It's amazing what the body does!

Baby is about 5-6 inches long now. Baby's umbilical cord is not only lengthening but also becoming thicker and stronger for these last 23 weeks. Baby’s sense of hearing is also developing since the ears have fully formed. Baby is also beginning to form adipose or fat tissue. This will help baby take on a more normal appearance by filling out the fine features that baby has. Fat is important in helping regulate the body’s temperature and metabolism.

The circulatory system and urinary tract are functioning, and baby is inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid as baby learns to breathe.

I haven't felt any flutters yet, but I'm sure that point is just around the corner. The only other change I'm noticing is my sleeping pattern. It is totally out of wack and the warm weather (humidity) is really starting to bug me. I toss and turn at night, but luckily, Kevin sleeps pretty hard at night. I think once it cools down I might be able to get things under control.

Third doctor visit

Yesterday I saw the doctor for my third visit; another quick check-up. They weighed me and I was 4 lbs. heavier! That's right, I've gained some weight. My pants are getting a little snug, but I can still button the skinny jeans. Soon enough, like probably next week, that might be another story. I also heard the heartbeat and it was nice and strong. The doctor was in a bit of a hurry because of a delivery. I only hope she rushes out like that if I'm in labor.

My next big appointment, an ultrasound, is on October 8th. Kevin and I will get another photo of the baby so I'm really looking forward to that!

Beginning Week 16

I believe this is the period of time where I wait to start seeing visible changes in my body. Pants are a little tighter, but the skinny jeans still fit!

This week ends my 4th month, wow! Only 5 left to go. Baby is still small enough to fit in the palm of my hand and should be near 4-5 inches by the end of this week, weighing around 5 ounces. The skin has started to become pink in color and baby can kick its tiny feet and make grasping motions with its hands.

By now, all of baby's muscles and bones are in place an the nervous system is starting to exert control. The eyes and ears are in their permanent place by now as well. The placenta has begun to grow in order to accommodate the thousands of blood vessels that are working hard to exchange nutrients and oxygen between my body and baby's. The umbilical cord is also growing thicker and stronger.

Nothing else is really happening around here. It's great to see that fall is well on the way. I am sleeping pretty good at night with the cool weather but as a belly-sleeper, it's hard to really try and stay on my side at night. Now is the point where it's really recommended to NOT sleep on your back. This creates some tossing and turning, but I'm getting a good 8 hours every night.

Stay tuned for month 5 -- I think we are gonna start seeing some changes, then hopefully I can get some photos up. I see the doctors for my 3rd visit this week for a quick 10 minute check-up. All-in-all, I still feel great and I'm not too anxious yet. Just excited to start "looking" pregnant.

Beginning Week 15

With such hot days we've been having, I am thrilled that right now I'm not 8 months pregnant! By the end of this week, your baby will be 5 inches long and weight a whole 2 ounces. Baby sure is getting big!

Baby’s skin is very thin, and the blood vessels can actually be seen through the skin. Baby’s ears are continuing to develop externally and continue to look more like normal ears. Also, baby’s eyes are continuing to move towards the nose from the sides of the head. The baby’s bones are beginning to ossify, which means that if an x-ray was taken the skeleton would be visible. Babies at this age have also been caught sucking their thumbs on ultrasound pictures. No doubt, our baby will be.

I see the doctor next week for another short check-up. Our next big ultrasound is in the middle of October, which doesn't seem that far away! Much of the baby stuff is on hold right now, we are making some big improvements around the house. My neighbor has three children and her youngest is 11 months. She has offered to give me anything I need, like the $300 breast pump I've been oogling. Gotta love hand-me-downs, especially when they are in fantastic condition!