Monday, August 17, 2009

25 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

Head to heels, my baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half (we should know more exactly next Dr. visit) — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

How my life's changing:

Mack has quite the kick (perhaps this little guy will be a soccer player). It's been fun for Micah and I to watch my tummy as he moves around. We haven't seen any distinct body parts yet but he's definitely kicking and punching. There have been several times where it feels like he is pulling on the umbilical cord, it is the weirdest feeling I've ever felt.

Well Micah and I head out in the morning for a much needed vacation, looking forward to relaxing with some good family company as we venture to KC.

I know I'm overdue for my next belly picture - it's coming!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

24 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

My baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. His body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

How my life's changing:

Most women have a
glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between now and 28 weeks. This test checks for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition. Untreated diabetes increases your risk of having a difficult vaginal delivery or needing a cesarean section because it causes your baby to grow too large, especially in his upper body. It also raises your baby's odds for other complications like low blood sugar right after birth. A positive result on your GCT doesn't mean you have gestational diabetes, but it does mean that you'll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to find out for sure. Had my GCT this week and everything came back normal.

Was able to identify my first Braxton Hicks contraction. They are a normal part of every pregnancy and start when a woman is still in her first trimester, at about 6 weeks pregnant into the pregnancy. However, most women don’t feel them until at least late in the second trimester, or for first-time mothers, in the third trimester. A Braxton Hicks contraction is a contraction of the uterus that is normally painless, but can sometimes be quite irritating. It consists of a localized tightening in your belly, which does not travel, but stays in one spot. These are considered to be practice contractions, to prepare you for the real thing when labor does start. Braxton Hicks contractions can be intense enough to take your breath away, and make you stop and take notice, but they generally do not cause any change in your cervix, nor are they a sign of preterm labor.

Here's a few facts just for fun...


My Due Date Is Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I am in Week 24 of my pregnancy

and my baby is 22 weeks old.

My Third Trimester will begin 8/26/2009

168 days down, 112 to go!

Fun Facts For Birthday 11/25/2009

My baby will start kindergarten in 2014, be old enough to drive a car in 2025, graduate high school with the class of 2027, and will finish college in 2031, give or take a year. Can you imagine?

Sunday, August 2, 2009

23 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:


Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, my baby can feel me dance. They say I may be able to see him squirm underneath my clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that our baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world.

How my life's changing:

I'm noticing that my ankles and feet are starting to swell a bit and will continue to do so in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day and during this summer heat. Sluggish circulation in the legs — coupled with changes in my blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. My body will get rid of the extra fluid after I have my baby.

Well we made it through 2 months of summer interns, 2 outreaches, youth summer camp and Master's graduation...sigh! It was an awesome 2 months but I'm glad it's finally come to an end. I think I'm going into hibernation until the baby comes - just kidding. Looking forward to some down time in the month of August with a PVC staff retreat, vacation to KC and then a MC staff retreat. Now we will also have time to paint the nursery and do some much needed cleaning and organizing before our little bundle of joy arrives.