Week 17

Alrighty...back to the updates. On Friday, I received results from my last blood tests (Fifth's Disease and Maternal Serum). I am immune to Fifth's Disease (yoo-hoo...especially since it shows up in the classroom at least once a year) and the Maternal Serum results came back normal. "Normal results of the screening, which is the case over 90 percent of the time, should be reassuring. This typically means that no further testing for Down syndrome or spina bifida will be necessary. Unfortunately, screening tests for Down syndrome and spina bifida do not always identify an affected fetus. It should be comforting to know, however, that maternal serum screening detects over 85 percent of fetuses with spina bifida, and multiple marker screening identifies 60-75 percent of fetuses with Down syndrome."

My appetite seems back to about normal along with my energy levels. Although I am quickly losing the ability to button up my pants. Instead of running out and buying maternity pants, I am going to try ordering a Bella Band - http://www.ingridandisabel.com/bellaband0708/how-to-wear.html. At this stage, I would wear it as an extra layer to disguise the fact that my pants are unbuttoned. We'll see how it works. Apparently, at this point I may start feeling the baby move. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to determine if it is movement or something else. I have had little 'sharp' pains (not painful) that I can pinpoint to a specific spot here and there, but I have no idea if that is the baby or not???

In the meantime, we're getting ready for Thanksgiving, delivery of our new family room furniture, and our first sonogram next Tuesday.


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• By week 17, your baby weighs about 4.97 ounces (140gm) and is 5.12 inches (13cm) long.
  
• He or she has a much more normal "human" appearance now. She holds her head more erect and her body and limbs are longer in proportion to her head.
  
• Pads are forming on his tiny fingertips and toes. Soon those individual swirls and whorls will be apparent.
  
• Her eyes are looking forward now, but they are still firmly closed.
  
• Meconium (composed of products of cell loss, digestive secretion and swallowed amniotic fluid), is accumulating in the bowel. This black gooey substance will become your baby's first poop!
  
• The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger and continues to rush blood and nutrients to your growing baby.
  
• If your child is male the prostate begins to develop.
  
• Her skeleton is tranforming from cartilage to bone. The bones remain flexible to make the journey through the birth canal easier.

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 16

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Fat begins to form underneath skin, providing your baby with insulation for the coming months.
  
• Did you know that both baby and placenta are now about the same size?
  
• Your little one has reached 4.57 inches (11.6cm) and approximately 3.53 ounces (100gm).
  
• His head and neck are held straighter now.
  
• This is a week of "mights!" You might hear the tiny thumps of his heartbeat with an external monitor now. The genitals are developed sufficiently that an experienced sonographer might be able to determine if your baby is a boy or a girl.
  
• Her heart is pumping as much as 6 gallons of blood a day and beats at a rate about double your heartrate.
  
• If you could take a peek inside, you would witness your child's reflexes in action! (Sucking, swallowing and blinking are now evident.) She is probably even hiccuping even though you don't feel it yet!
  
• Your baby has learned to breathe! This is apparent from the regular movements of his chest. Isn't it amazing that he is able to breathe "underwater," inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid? These actions help the lungs to develop and grow.
  
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 15

Weight: 113.5 lbs. (+ 1/2 lbs.)

So this is a little late because I was dealing with a 24 hour headache from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening. I think the worst part of my pregnancy so far is trying to deal with these sinus headaches without medicating them. I am going to a chiropractor and know I should visit an acupuncturist as well to teach my body to deal with whatever is causing the pressure build up and then the headache. Prevention is the key!!!

Anyway, other than that I am feeling pretty darn good. I've only outgrown two pairs of pants (I've been told it's a boy b/c I'm not really showing yet...and because the beauty has NOT been sucked out of me as, apparently, girls do to their mothers???). I am back to eating almost normally. And my energy level is up quite a bit from what it was during the first trimester.

Last Thursday my mom and I went in for my second appointment. The highlight of the appointment was us hearing the heartbeat again. The Dr. was able to find it MUCH quicker this time and mom was able to record it with her camera (send those picts, mom)!!!

Yesterday, I went in for a second round of blood tests. This time they only took 2 vials of blood as opposed to NINE vials the last time. One test will determine if I am immune to Fifth's Disease - "Parvovirus B19 (or Fifth's Disease) is a virus that commonly infects humans; about 50% of all adults have been infected sometime during childhood or adolescence. Parvovirus B19 infects only humans. There are also animal parvoviruses, but they do not infect humans. Therefore, a person cannot catch parvovirus B19 from a dog or cat."

Since Fifth's Disease is mainly seen in children it is pretty prevelent in elementary schools; therefore, the Dr. wanted to test to see if I am immune. Unfortunately, if I am not immune there's nothing that can be done to prevent it other than good ol' hand washing!

I also had a Maternal Serum Screening done. Maternal Serum Screening is designed to identify pregnant women who could benefit from prenatal testing for Down syndrome, spina bifida, and certain other birth defects. These tests are done using a blood sample and pose no risk to the developing baby. Unfortunately, there happens to be a higher false-positive results for this test. All that means is if any of the three tests involved in the Maternal Serum Screening were to come back positive, I would go in for additional testing before any conclusions were made. (For more info click on the test http://www.thegeneticscenter.com/serumscr.htm ).

My next appointment is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving in which I will have my first ultrasound. I have been instructed to bring in a blank DVD, so we'll all be able to take a look at the new bambino!!!

Until Week 16...


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• You may begin to feel some fluttering movements as baby kicks, flails, twists and turns (but don't panic if you don't yet). She can also grasp, squint, frown, grimace and maybe suck her thumb!
  
• Your baby's legs have grown longer than the arms and the body is now longer than the head.
  
• And you'll be happy to note that he is moving those arms and legs often!
  
• His skin is very thin -- so thin blood vessel are visible. It's covered by a fine, soft layer of hair called lanugo. Lanugo comes from a Latin word meaning "down." This hair is thought to help insulate your little boy.
  
• The three tiny bones in his middle ear have begun to harden. The auditory centers in your baby's brain haven't developed yet, so she might not really understand what you say but her hearing capacity is in the process of developing.
  
• Fingernails and toenails are growing.
  
• Eyebrows are beginning to grow and even the hair his head is sprouting. It will probably change color and texture after birth.
  
• All this and your little one is an amazing 3.98 inches (10.1cm) long and may weigh 2.47 ounces (70gm).

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 14

It's finally here...the highly anticipated second trimester everyone talks about!!! I do have to admit that I am starting to feel more energy and not as picky when eating but finding I have a few more cravings (like Friendly's Ice Cream...that I still haven't got). Meat, especially at dinner time, still doesn't do much for me so it's been a little bit of a challenge looking for substance and protein to keep my belly full.

The tum tum is starting to show a little more...and I feel as though it's growing by the day (which it probably is, but it looks it too). Haven't wieghed myself (b/c I don't own a scale), but I guess I'll find out how much I've gained on Thursday when I go in for my 14 week appointment.

Can't think of anything else to report on...any questions for me?

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Thyroid gland has matured and your baby begins producing hormones which will be used throughout his or her life.
  
• In boys, the prostate gland develops
  
• In girls, the ovaries move from the abdomen to the pelvis
  
• Your little one may have learned to suck his thumb by this point!
  
• Your child's bones are getting harder and stronger by the day!
  
• Your baby's skin is very transparent still
  
• Lanugo (very fine hair) covers the baby's body and will continue to grow until 26 weeks gestational age - Generally this will be shed prior to birth. Its purpose is to help protect baby's skin while in all that water!
  
• Your baby is 3.42 inches (8.7cm) long and weighs about 1.52 ounces (43 grams) - approximately the weight of a letter!
  
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 13 - Beginning of Second Trimester

So I did find out that Week 13 is the final week of the first trimester. Therefore, as of next week, I will officially be moving on to the glorified second trimester (it's supposed to be the easiest and most comfy of the three)!!

Nothing to complain about this week although food is still funny with me. I made yummy apple glazed pork chops Sunday night and could only get through about 1/3 of it. But I was able to finish the homemade applesauce, mashed potatoes, and ice cream for dessert! Other than that, I have been really good at eating a bowl of cereal in the morning (never made time for breakfast before) along with drinking milk at lunch - never did that either, but since I need lots of calcium to make both of our bones big and strong, figured I should start. I've finally caught on to the 'carry food with me' advice. On our errands this weekend, the bag of organic trail mix did wonders for me!!

I did finally let the pregnant cat out of the bag at school to the teachers and staff, with the disclaimer to hold of on saying anything to my students or parents - I definitely do not want 19 sets of worried parents just yet!! Upon making the announcement at school, I have already been invited to join a play group and had a virgin Bloody Mary bought for me at Happy Hour.

For now, I'm just looking forward to having more energy and being able to eat more at one sitting...onward to the second trimester we go!!!!

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Your infant is about 2.91 inches (7.4cm) and weighs around 0.81 ounce (23gm) - This is about the same weight as 4 quarters.
  
• If you could peek in again you may spot your baby as he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements
  
• Eyes and ears continue to move and develop
  
• Baby's neck is getting longer, and the chin no longer is resting on his chest
  
• Her hands are becoming more functional - Your baby may find it comforting to start playing with her fist.
  
• At this point all nourishment is received from the placenta
  
• On your next doctor visit you should be able to hear heartbeat with a Doppler by now - (Don't worry though if you can't, the heartbeat can be confirmed through U/S). Your baby's heartbeat is much rapider than your own and may remind you of the race towards birth that he is running!

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 12

So I haven't quite figured out if I'm officially in my second trimester this week or next. If a pregnancy lasts 40 weeks and you divide that by 3 trimesters, it comes out to 13.33 weeks per trimester. So I'm thinking that I still have at least one more week? Anyway, I guess I've been feeling a little better . I feel like I am not as exhausted (still tired but just not dog tired) and the nasuea seems a little better - unless I am cooking the meal. Then I still find it hard to eat what I have cooked. If it is cooked somewhere else by someone else, I seem to be able to get it down then. As far as the belly, I think I have a little but of one, but then I think I'm the only one who notices.

Just about everyone in both families (grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins) officially know. We are waiting until Brian & Barb's Halloween party on October 20th to tell the step-siblings. Todd is going to dress up as a doctor and I'm going to 'dress up' as a pregnant woman...one that has a much bigger belly...and we're going to let them know that way! It should be a fun way to reveal the news!!

Finally, Todd and I were briefed on the labor and delivery by a friend the other night. Todd learned that it's not like it is shown on TV as well as new words like doula. I learned that I either need to hire a birthing coach or get Todd (and me) into some birthing classes before April!!

Enjoy your week!


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Vocal cords begin to form - While perhaps not quite ready to be introduced to the nearest opera stage, your infant will use these immediately following the moment of birth. Bet you can't wait to hear that first cry!
  
• Those precious eyes begin to move closer together - Are you wondering if he will have mommy's crystal green eyes, daddy's laughing brown ones, or maybe out of the gene pool will emerge grandma's clear blue!
  
• Ears shift to their normal place on the side of the head
  
• Intestines move farther in to your child's body
  
• His or her liver begins to function - Responsible for cleansing the blood, storing nutrients, and providing needed chemicals, this is an important event!
  
• The pancreas begins to produce insulin
  
• Guess what? Your baby's average size is now at a whopping length: 2.13 inches (5.4cm) and weight: 0.49 ounce (14gm)

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 11

This week went well - dealt mostly with the fatigue as the naseau seems to not be as bothersome (it's still here though). I think it was Tuesday that I came home, fell asleep from 5-6 and when Todd woke me up, I felt that I could have easily slept through the night. And last night I slept from about 10:30pm-9:30am and was still tired.

We have officially let most of the extended family know. I am going to hold off on telling the faculty and parents at my school for a bit longer.

Eleven weeks down, 29 to go...yikes!!!


Baby's Development (From Pregnancy.org)

• Nearly all structures and organs are formed and beginning to function.
  
• Fingers and toes have separated - Take a glimpse at how incredibly precious your child's tiny feet are at this point.
  
• Hair and nails begin to grow
  
• The genitals begin to take on the proper gender characteristics - It will be just a few more weeks before your ultrasound can show if you are having a boy or a girl! Have you been dreaming of pink or blue?
  
  Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys begin to function - This fluid, consisting primarily of water, helps provide a cushion for your baby while she's nestled within your womb.
  
• The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practice contractions that digest food.
  
• Your baby is about 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs 0.25 ounce (7gm).
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)