34 Weeks! (and stats update)

Woohoo! 34 weeks today! Only about 6 more weeks to go... wow! I can't believe how soon I'm going to meet my precious baby. So exciting!

So at 34 weeks, Baby is about 4.75 pounds, 17.75 inches long, and the size of an average cantaloupe! Mmmm, I love cantaloupe.

Baby - The waxy protective coating, vernix, is becoming much thicker this week as the lanugo continues to shed and may be almost completely gone by now. Inside your baby, the lungs are continuing to mature in preparation for breathing in the outside world.

Body - You might be feeling just like you did your first trimester, tire, and exhausted. Your body is going through significant physical strain, not to mention the overall discomfort of all that extra weight and difficulty sleeping are playing their toll. As your baby moves lower in the birth canal and exerts more pressures, some women have an uncomfortable sensation that the baby is about to fall out. Other women feel a pricking or tingling sensation in the pelvic area, also common and not something to worry about. The feelings may not go away until after you deliver. If you have concerns, talk to you medical practitioner.

I am definitely feeling tired again these days. Most days I take a pretty long nap... like 2 to 3 hours! I'm always irritated that I lost that much of my day, but glad I was able to get the sleep. As annoying as it is to "waste" so much time, I never try to fight it - if I'm tired, I take a nap.

I never feel like Baby is about to fall out!

Since I haven't done a Sunday Stats in a couple weeks, I'll give you my stats for today.

Weight: 141.5 pounds
Waist: 41 inches

So that's 2 pounds and 1.5" in two and a half weeks. Pretty good! I've been much happier with my weight gain recently. We've been going on more walks lately, so that's probably helping. We just moved and now live next to a nice big park. We take the puppies on about a 2 mile walk about 4 days a week. It's really good for all of us.

I had a nice prenatal massage last week. Thanks again, Mom, for the package! I'll probably get another massage late next week and another at week 37 or so. The massages really help my constantly aching back feel better.

Baby's movements have changed a lot lately. Now that his/her space is getting more cramped, it seems as though Baby is trying to stretch out more. I often feel a strong push on the upper part of my belly and a smaller push lower at the same time. I think the strong one is the heal of Baby's foot, and the small one is Baby's hand. It's a very strange feeling but I can recognize it as stretching.

Well, that's all the updating I have time for right now. I'll finish off with a belly pic I took tonight with a guest appearance from iPhone 4! :)

27 Weeks!

First of all... yes, I know I haven't updated in 2 weeks! :( Sorry, life just got pretty busy and I didn't have time. And with that...

Yay! 27 weeks!! Baby is 14.5 inches long and weighs 2 pounds!! Oh my goodness, Baby is getting so big! Baby's size this week can be compared to cauliflower. Awww.. my cute little cauliflower!

Now lets read in more detail what BabyBump has to say about this week.

Baby - This week your baby looks like a thinner, redder, more wrinkled version of what he will look like at birth, but in the next few weeks more fat will fill out his appearance. Your baby's immune system is continuing to mature as are your baby's lungs which are still practicing breathing amniotic fluid

Body - Just when you were getting used to your second trimester, you may find new uncomfortable symptoms beginning during your third trimester. You may notice more leg craps due to the pressure of your uterus on your veins and nerves running from your torso to your legs. Remember to stretch and move your legs to ease or prevent cramping.

Activities this week - Now is a great time to sign up for a breastfeeding class. If you are a first-time mom and planning to breastfeed your baby, it's a good idea to take a breastfeeding class or sign up with a lactation consultant. Ask your doctor or midwife for a recommendation or call Le Leche League who can help you locate breastfeeding resources in your area.

That's so exciting that Baby is now proportionally correct in his/her development! Now s/he just needs to put on a little fat before coming out :)

Third trimester is almost here! Well, according to some, it already is. And according to my calculations, I am now 67.5% through the pregnancy. So, technically, the third trimester should be the last third of my pregnancy, i.e., after I've passed the 66.7% mark. So based on these facts, I totally say that I'm in the third trimester! :) It definitely feels like I am. Being comfortable is becoming more and more rare. Putting on my socks is a struggle, and my back is almost in constant pain. But it's ok, all the suffering is to bring my precious little baby into the world, so it's all worth it!

Breastfeeding classes! We have decided to take this class at Sweet Beginnings in Littleton, CO but we won't start until after school is over... in two weeks!

Being at week 27 also means that BabyBump has a new belly picture for the next 4 weeks. Looks like Baby is starting to get a little cramped in there!

25 Weeks!

One week down, only 15 to go! Can you believe that? Only 15 more weeks! Well, I'm thinking more like 12 weeks :)

So Baby is now about 13.5 inches long, 1.5 pounds, and the size of a rutabaga! Wait... what's a rutabaga? Seriously, I have no idea. Here's a picture I found; thanks to Google.

Well thank goodness Baby doesn't LOOK like a rutabaga! Well, this doesn't really help me get the feel for the size of a rutabaga... oh well. I'll look for one the next time I'm at Safeway.

Ok, let's see what else BabyBump has to say.

Baby - Your baby's body parts are continuing to become more proportional to each other. Baby fat is also continuing to fill in your baby's wrinkled skin for a smoother look and more hair is growing, developing texture and color.

Body - Now roughly the size of a soccer ball, your uterus is halfway between your sternum and your bellybutton. All this growing might cause your stretched out skin to feel itchy in places. Try to relieve the itching with lotions and moisturizers. On the flip side, you're probably still enjoying the fullness of your hair, actually caused by your hormones decreasing the shedding process. Unfortunately, this extra hair won't last after you've given birth.

Health Tip - Many pregnant women are concerned about household cleaners, insecticides, and chemicals. Always check with your doctor for his or her recommendations before using any chemicals.

Glad to hear that Baby should be fattening up :) Although, I don't think Baby needs anymore muscles! I've received many painful powerful kicks already! I'm just kidding... well, about Baby not needing muscles, not about the kicks! I really like feeling Baby though. It's such a nice reassurance that everything is going well. I will admit that it's often times uncomfortable though. And it never fails that Baby doesn't like the way I lay when I go to bed. That's when I get the more painful kicks. Everyone says that sleeping your left side is the "best", but Baby generally hates it. Luckily, being on my back isn't uncomfortable yet.

My uterus is only the size of a soccer ball? Dave refers to it more like a basketball :) My belly is definitely hardening up too. My belly does itch a little sometimes too, but not too bad yet. I have my oil and belly butter routine every morning, so that probably helps.

I haven't really noticed much with my hair because I keep it short. My nails grow super fast though. I think if I stare at them, I may actually be able to watch them grow. Seriously, I'm clipping my nails like once a week.

Well, that's all I've got to say! Here's to another good week!

24 Weeks!

24 weeks! That's 6 months! Only 16 more weeks to go! Time seems to be going by fast, but not fast enough. My back has been killing me and it's rather difficult to get comfortable these days.

Baby is about 12.5'' long, 1.25 lbs, and the size of corn! I would assume they mean the length of corn, not width... unless Baby is REALLY skinny!! I hope not... Baby needs some skin on his/her bones!

Ok, let's see what else BabyBump has to say.

Baby - With all the rapidly developing senses in your baby, he should probably be able to sense what is upside down or right side up. Your baby's respiratory system is also rapidly growing, lungs are developing in preparation for breathing, moving amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs. For now your baby still gets oxygen through your placenta.

Body - Your uterus is roughly two inches above your bellybutton. Around this time your medical practitioner may perform a glucose screen test to check for gestational diabetes which affects around 10% of all pregnant women. It can be a risk to you and your baby if left untreated. Gestational diabetes can make vaginal delivery difficult, causing a longer labor due to the baby's larger size, or it might make cesarean delivery required. However, the good news is that this condition often disappears for most women after pregnancy.

Health Tip - Between weeks 24 and 28 your doctor may recommend that you have a glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes, a condition that can affect the fetus' blood sugar levels causing the baby to grow to large. The glucose screen test is offered to most women, especially if you are obese or have a family history of diabetes.

Um, ok. I think BabyBump went a little overboard with the gestational diabetes. Wish they didn't put it in two sections; it was too repetitive. On that note, I will be taking the glucose screening test at my next midwife appointment, next week. I'm not worried about it. Not only have I never been overweight, but I don't have a sugar eating problem.

I guess that's all I really have to say about this week.

Well I noticed that the picture of the inside of the belly provided by BabyBump actually changed last week, but I just noticed it this week. So here it is.

So it looks like between now and week 26, Baby should be switching positions to head down! I didn't realize that happened so early. I guess it makes sense, because as Baby grows, his/her space becomes more cramped. It would probably be hard to move to head down at the end of the pregnancy. Baby is already so smart! :) I'm sure I'll find out next Thursday if Baby is facing head down. The midwives are so good at being able to tell how Baby is positioned just by pushing on my belly.

And now, because I was a slacker and skipped Sunday Stats last week, I will share a belly pic :)

23 Weeks!

It's been yet another week! 23 weeks pregnant today! I can't believe how quickly the time seems to pass these days. I'm not complaining :)

My precious baby is now 11.5 inches long, 1.1 pounds, and about the size of a large mango. Baby is growing so fast! If I wasn't allergic to mangos, I'd eat one in celebration of Baby's new fruit size.

Now to see what else BabyBump has to say.

Baby - Your baby is probably quite active by now and you should be able to feel movement or kicks in your belly. It might even be possible to see the movements on the surface of your skin. Overall, your baby is now more proportioned from head size to the rest of the body and is looking more and more like a newborn.

Body - In preparation for labor, your uterus may begin to practice by exercising it's muscles. Around this time some women experience warm-up contractions better known as Braxton Hicks contractions or false labor. These contractions are irregular and vary in intensity. Contact your medical practitioner if you have any concerns.

Health Tip - Sodium in your diet. Although sodium need not be restricted during pregnancy, excessive use is not recommended. A diet of primarily natural food can be safely salted "to taste." Pregnant women should avoid processed or "junk" foods that are high in sodium. Excessive intake of salt can cause high blood pressure (hypertension) and may lead to excessive weight gain.

Baby is definitely quite active these days! Sometimes the kicks I feel are even a little uncomfortable. I can't imagine how they're gonna feel at the end of the pregnancy when Baby is a LOT bigger! I love the kicks and movement though, it lets me know that Baby is doing well and having a grand ol' time!

I haven't even been looking to see if I could see Baby's movement from the outside! Now that I know it may be possible, I'm going to start looking :)

Contractions?? Already?! I'm not looking forward to this. I haven't experienced any Braxton Hicks contractions yet, and I'm not looking forward to when I do. Will I even recognize a contraction when I feel one?

It's interesting that sodium was brought up in today's description because I turned down some soy sauce with dinner tonight because of its high sodium content (and I hadn't read this yet). I'm not really a snacker though, so my daily sodium intake is actually pretty low. So that's good :) I don't think high blood pressure is something I need to be concerned about anyway; the midwives always comment on how low my blood pressure is every appointment. It's not too low, but it's at the bottom of the acceptable range.

Well, there you have it... 23 weeks!

22 Weeks!

Today marks the 22nd week of pregnancy! Woohoo! Only 18 more weeks to go! Time seems to be going by a lot faster these days :)

This week is a big milestone for Baby because Baby now weighs 1 pound! Baby is getting so big! Baby is also about 11 inches long, so it won't be long before Baby reaches a foot in length. I actually wouldn't be surprised if Baby is already a foot long. Baby's fruit comparison for this week is spaghetti squash. Remember when baby was only the size of a poppyseed? Grow Baby grow!

Ok, now let's see what else BabyBump has to tell us about this week.

Baby - Your baby's senses are really developing this week. Taste buds are forming and nerve endings are developed enough for your baby to experience the sensation of touch.

Body - Now that your baby bump is showing, you may find that you're the center of attention and people around you, even strangers, will take liberties to touch your belly. If you're uncomfortable with all this touch, it's ok to tell them. Around your belly, buttocks, and hips you may notice tiny red lines or streaks, the beginning stretch marks. As a preventative, some women swear by moisturizers, although medical practitioners will tell you that genetic play a bigger roll.

Health Tip - While saunas and hot tubs may feel soothing to your aching body, be careful not to overheat your body. That means avoiding saunas or hot tubs that are maintained at a temperature greater than your own body temperature. Overheating your body for prolonged periods of time can affect the development of your baby. Check with your medical practitioner for recommendations.

I'm excited for Baby to feel touch. I'm hoping that I'll soon be able to poke my belly and have Baby kick in return :)

I like verbal attention like "you're really showing now!" and things like that, but I do not look forward to people randomly touching my belly. Even if I know the person, it'll bug me. I'm tempted to make a shirt that says "ask before touching". Asking is totally fine with me and I will say yes, just don't touch without asking. I already have a plan for uninvited touches - if you reach out and rub my tummy, I will return the favor and rub yours. Not kidding!

So far I have zero signs of stretch marks! Yay! I've been using stretch mark tummy rub and oil by Mama Mio ever since I found out I was pregnant. This stuff isn't cheap, but it'll be worth every penny in my eyes if it works.

Well, that's all I got... yay for 22 weeks!

21 Weeks!

Today marks 21 weeks of pregnancy! Baby is 10.5 inches long, 12.7 oz, and about the size of a banana! Baby is getting so big! Baby is also kicking quite a bit these days :)

Ok, let's see what my iPhone app BabyBump has to say about week 21.

Baby - As your baby's digestive system develops, he will begin to swallow amniotic fluid and absorb small amounts of sugar. However, most of your baby's nutrients are still delivered from the placenta. Inside your uterus, while there's still room, your baby is actively moving around, kicking and flipping positions. You may be able to track patterns in his movement.

Body - For many women, this period marks the most comfortable stage of their pregnancy. Your first trimester discomforts have subsided and you've grown more accustomed to many of the changes in your body and you're finally beginning to enjoy that pregnancy "glow" you've been hearing about. Other welcome changes by some women are thicker hair, better skin condition, and increased breast size.

Health Tip - Considering breastfeeding? Here are just a few good reasons why breastfeeding is good for your baby, and you. 1. - There is strong evidence that breastfeeding reduces the incidence of diarrhea, lower-respiratory infection, ear infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial meningitis, Crohn's Disease, colitis and other diseases (American Academy of Pediatrics). 2. - There may be a link to a decreased incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome among breastfed babies. 3. - Numerous benefits to mothers include a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancers, as well as a lower incidence of hip fractures during the post-menopausal periods. 4. - Nursing helps you shed baby weight faster.

I read somewhere else that what I eat will determine how the amniotic fluid tastes to Baby. I wish there was a way for Baby to tell me if s/he doesn't like something I eat! But I definitely need to get some more Ben&Jerry's Mint Chocolate Chunk ice cream because I *know* Baby loves it! IT'S FOR BABY!

Oddly enough... the 1st trimester was more comfortable for me because I didn't have a never-ending cold! Plus, I was blessed to not have morning sickness... so my 1st trimester was pretty smooth :)

As I said before, I can definitely feel Baby moving a lot more these days. I can't exactly "track movements" though. At the most, I can tell the difference between a kick and general movement. Oh, and I can tell if Baby has decided to use my bladder as a bed.

Yay for breastfeeding! I'm definitely planning to breastfeed. I just pray that my milk doesn't make Baby sick like my mom's milk did to me :( I don't think it will. The doctor's actually said her milk had too much nutrients. I swear, that would only happen to my mom! I think the only unhealthy thing she had during her pregnancy was Olvatine. That's just not natural :P I'm eating healthier than when I wasn't pregnant, but I'm by no means eating perfect. I still have pizza, ice cream, chips & salsa, chai... etc. But don't worry, overall I have a healthy diet. And I make sure to consume more protein, calcium, and water than normal.

Well, yay for 21 weeks! Only 19 more to go!

20 Weeks!

YAY! We've reached 20 weeks which means we're halfway there! Only another 20 more weeks before I get to hold my precious little Baby.

This week Baby about 6.5 inches long, 10.6 oz, and the size of a small cantaloupe! That's huge! I definitely agree that it seems as though I'm carrying around a cantaloupe in my belly. Keep on growing Baby!

Ok, let's see what else the iPhone app BabyBump has to say.

Baby - This week your baby's skin will become covered with a waxy-like substance called vernix which will protect his skin from becoming scratched or chapped. Your baby is also starting to produce meconium, the result of digestion, which will accumulate in his bowels and eventually pass during delivery or in his first diaper.

Body - You've officially reached the halfway point of your pregnancy! At this stage your uterus is even with your bellybutton and you may have gained 10 to 13 pounds (yep!). You'll likely have your second major ultrasound soon where your doctor will check on your baby's development (did that last week!). If your baby cooperates you may even be able to determine the sex, if you choose to find out (we're keeping it a surprise).

Health Tip - Whenever possible, try to minimize your consumption of processed foods such as hot dogs and cured meats like ham or bacon. These food items contain sodium nitrate, a food preservative, and also may be carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

I've read that Baby's first poop will be tar-like because of that meconium stuff. Weird.

Well, this past week I have definitely been feeling Baby a lot more. Probably at least a few times a day I can feel something that I know for certain is Baby :) Sometimes it feels like Baby is just moving around and rolling, other times it feels like it's probably a kick or punch. It's definitely a weird feeling, but it always makes me smile because I know it's Baby :)

19 Weeks!

I'm 19 weeks preggers today! That means I'm only a week away from the halfway point :) But I actually really feel like Baby is gonna come early, which means I may already be at the halfway point!

Anyway, let's take a look at what the iPhone app BabyBumb has to say about the 19th week.

Baby is 6 inches long and the size of an heirloom tomato! BabyBump also says that Baby is 8.5 oz, but we learned yesterday that Baby is in fact about 10 oz.

Baby - Many of your baby's senses are developing as specialized areas in the brain are being designated for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch. Millions of motor neurons are continuing to develop in your baby's brain allowing more controlled and conscious movement.

Body - Your growing belly is probably obvious to others around you and you may feel the physical effects of it too. Most pregnant women experience backache at some point during their pregnancy. You may notice discomfort in your posture as your center of gravity shifts forward putting more strain on your back. Hormonal increasing also contribute to abdominal pain by relaxing the muscles around your waist allowing the uterus to grow.

Health Tip - No one knows for sure what quantity of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy. The danger of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is that it may cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Babies born with FAS may grow more slowly, have damage to the central nervous system or have abnormal facial features. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fetal exposure to alcohol is one of the main preventable causes of birth defects and developmental problems in the country.

What's funny about the center of gravity part is that a couple days ago one of my friends asked me if I was limping. I found it odd that I may already be walking a little different since I'm not that big yet. Dave immediately replied that I was just having issues adjusting to my new center of gravity. Ha!

And don't worry friends, I haven't had even an ounce of alcohol!! No FAS for Baby! I can't even sit close to Dave if he's having a beer - the smell disgusts me.

I'll end with a couple more screenshots from BabyBump. The first shows what Baby looks like, and the second one shows what the inside of my belly looks like for the next 4 weeks :) Should I add NSFW to the title of this post since the image shows a nipple? Meh :P

Yay for 19 weeks!

18 Weeks!

18 weeks pregnant today! Almost halfway there! :) The above is a screenshot of an iPhone app I use called BabyBump. It is packed with features, but these pages are my favorite. Every week, BabyBump has a new screen which tells me Baby's approximate size, weight, and a food item (usually fruit or veggie) that is close in size. There is also a cute little picture of what Baby should look like at this stage in his/her development. Below all that fun stuff is information on Baby’s development, changes to expect with my body, and a health tip. Here’s what it has to say for this week:

Baby - Many of the bones in your baby’s body are starting to harden. Among these first bones to develop is the inner ear which is part of the reason why your baby might be able to hear sounds such as your heart beating or your tummy growling.

Body - As you settle into your second trimester you’ll likely gain your appetite back. Eating healthy and getting enough protein is important at this stage as your body needs approximately 300 extra calories to help your baby develop. Equally important is continuing with exercising; keep moderation in mind and do not begin any new, strenuous workouts.

Health Tip - Dairy is a good source of calcium, important for your developing baby (you need approximately 1200 to 1500mg a day). However, avoid unpasteurized milk often found in soft cheese such as feta, Camembert, brie and Roquefort, a common source of listeriosis, a form of food poisoning.

Pretty cool stuff, huh? I’ve been posting the text included under the Baby heading on Facebook, but I’ll start sharing it all on here.

I think it’s pretty exciting that Baby can hear my heartbeat and tummy growls! But I can’t help but wonder... what does my tummy growling really sound like? Is it scary? If I was a baby I’d probably be thinking: “oh crap, I’m under attack!” At least with the way my tummy growls - it’s pretty damn loud.

Midwife appointment tomorrow! I love my little sweet potato :)