Tuesday, May 26, 2009

13 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  Fingerprints have formed on my baby's tiny fingertip, the veins and organs are clearly visible through the still-thin skin, and the body is starting to catch up with the head - which makes up just a third of the body size now.  Our baby is almost 3 inches long and has reached the size of a peach.  Also developing this week is our baby's vocal cords. 

How my life's changing:  If anything the only change that I really notice is the continuing clothes shrinking, or is it that I'm growing:) I have to admit going clothes shopping is not one of my favorites, especially when you're not feeling so comfortable in your body.  I know this is a good change but being as short as I am I just look and feel ridiculous as I get bigger! I'm sure once the belly really starts showing more it will be a bit cuter.  

Well after much grappling in prayer and many discussions, we've decided to switch from using a midwife to an ob/gyn.  I kept trying to convince myself I wanted to use the midwife but once I got honest with myself and Micah I didn't have peace in my spirit.   There were a number of things that contributed to our decision but without getting into all the details we feel confident that we have made the right decision to have Dr. David Hernandez aide us in this pregnancy process and deliver our baby.  He is a member of our church whom we know and trust not to mention he is a man of God who has our best interest in mind.  

Today we had our first ultrasound done.  It was so amazing to get to see the life that is forming inside me.  There's nothing like getting to see and hear that heartbeat.  Well here's a picture of the ultrasound.  Have fun trying to figure out what's what.



Monday, May 18, 2009

12 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  The most dramatic development this week: reflexes.  My baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, the toes will curl, the eye muscles will clench, and the mouth will make sucking movements.  In fact, if you prod my abdomen, my baby will squirm in response, although I won't be able to feel it.  The intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now and the kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly and in my baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously.  The face looks unquestionably human: the eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head, and the ears are right where they should be.  From crown to rump, my baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

How my life's changing:  My uterus has grown to the point where my healthcare provider can now feel the top of it low in my abdomen (although we have not been for another check-up yet).  Loose, less restrictive clothing has become a friend of mine.  

I'm beginning to feel a bit of heartburn with certain foods.  Many women get heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, however this is not my first bout with it.  During pregnancy, the placenta produces a lot of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach.  Particularly when I'm laying down, gastric acid can seep back up the pipe, which causes the uncomfortable burning sensation.  It's said to get worse as the uterus grows and starts to push up on the stomach more.  

Nearing the end of my first trimester, 13 weeks will begin the 2nd trimester and will last through 27 weeks.  Next week will also mark the beginning of 4 months.

My "First" Mother's Day

It was a bit strange to hear those words for the first time... "Happy Mother's Day" but it allowed me to enjoy the day knowing I am already a mother inside.

One of the cutest cards I received looked like this


Soon those

ten tiny toes

will tiptoe

into your heart


and leave 

their footprints

forever.

I also received this e-card via e-mail and thought it was so cute.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

11 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  My baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed.  The hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and some of the bones are beginning to harden.

The baby is already busy kicking and stretching, but the tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet.  These movements will become more frequent as the body grows and becomes more developed and functional.  I won't feel the baby's acrobatics for another month or two - nor will I notice the hiccuping that may be happening now that the diaphragm is forming.

How my life's changing:  Doesn't seem like there are too many new life changes just yet. The obvious frequent bathroom runs keep me on my toes and nights are becoming a little more restless as I can't quite get comfortable.  Micah as been experiencing a few restless nights himself (poor thing).  He wanted to be more educated on this whole process so I bought him the book "The Expectant Father".  He has been loving it and it's spurred on some good conversation. Micah has been so excited and wants to be very involved!