Head to bottom, our baby is now approximately 5 1/2 inches long which is about the length of a bell pepper and weighs almost 7 ounces. The experts say peanut is busy flexing his/her arms and legs — but I still haven't felt any constant movement in there. His/Her blood vessels are visible through his/her thin skin and his/her ears are now in position and stand out from her head(hopefully peanut doesn't have his/her mom's ears). Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around his/her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he or she is born. If peanut is a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. And if peanut is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.
How my life is changing:
Starting to feel bigger, but still fitting into my jeans as long as they are low riders. And noticing some of my tops just aren't appropriate any longer unless I want my belly to show. For some people that is the look they are looking for, but for me I think I'll pass. Maternity clothes still aren't fitting, but I don't think it will be much longer.
I am also having a heck of a time trying to sleep on my side. I am a sleep on my back kind of girl and nothing about sleeping on my side is appealing to me. You may have heard that you should avoid lying on your back during your last two trimesters. Here's why: When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein (called the inferior vena cava) that returns blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your side (or even partially tilted to the side), particularly your left side, prevents this compression and improves your blood flow. Believe me I've tried placing a pillow between my knees for extra comfort, but I still wake up in the middle of the night on my back. I guess I need to continue working on this.
2008-02-23
Our Peanut at Week 17
How our baby is growing:
Our baby weighs 5 ounces now, and he/ she is around 5 inches long. Peanut can move his/her joints, and his/her skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His/Her sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his/her lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.
How my life is changing:
I am starting to notice my hips aching both in the front pelvic area and in the joint. Ligaments are starting to stretch and make room for peanuts growth. It can be slightly uncomfortable at times and I notice it even more after a workout. The doctor said this is normal and I won't hurt anything by still doing my workouts. I also visited my doctor's nurse practitioner this week and I was able to hear peanut's heart beat for the second time. Peanut was apparently moving around quite a bit in there too. I couldn't feel it, but hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll be able to feel movement more often.
2008-02-23
Our Peanut at Week 16
How our baby is growing:
At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, our peanut is now the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, peanut will go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling his/her weight and adding inches to his/her length. Peanut's lower limbs are much more developed now. His/Her head is more erect than it has been, and his/her eyes have moved toward the front of his/her head. Our baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of /his/her more advanced body systems are working, including the circulatory system and urinary tract. His/Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating his/her total blood volume through his/her little body many times. (By the end of my pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of peanut's scalp has begun, though hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, his/her eyes are moving (slowly), and peanut has even started growing toenails.
How my life is changing:
People been telling me how wonderful I look? I guess it is "glow of pregnancy" or they are just trying to make me feel good about myself, but thanks to increased blood flow to the skin there could be something truthful to the "glow". Peanut also went on his/her first ski trip last weekend in Mammoth. Daddy wasn't too happy when Mommy came flying down the mountain and turned quickly spraying Daddy with snow. He said he was worried about Mommy running into him and hurting Peanut, but really I think he was embarrassed we got him in front of his friends. Peanut had a blast and we even think he/she even did a few flips in Mommies belly from all the excitement. Not sure if that is what I felt or not, but I think it might have been the first sign of feeling movement in there.
2008-02-23
Our Peanut at Week 15
How our baby is growing:
Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). Peanut is busy moving amniotic fluid through his/her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in his/her lungs begin to develop. Those little legs are growing longer than than the arms now, and he/she can move all of his/her joints and limbs. Although his/her eyelids are still fused shut, he/she can sense light. If we were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, he's/she's likely to move away from the beam. Sounds cruel though, we wont be trying this trick out. There's not much for our baby to taste at this point, but he/she is forming taste buds.
How my life is changing:
I've probably gained about 4 pounds even though I feel like I have gained about 10, but this is a good weight. I am noticing my nose being stuffed up in the morning which I guess is part of the effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. It isn't that bad though. The worst right now is falling back to sleep in the middle of the night when I get up for my 2am bathroom break. The best part about this week is I am getting my energy back again I have begun working out again. Yoga, short runs, spin class and weights. Swimming is also on the list, but I haven't tried to fit into my one piece for a few weeks. I fear that it probably is a little too small at this point. May have to buy a new one here soon. Really just happy to have a little more energy again!
