31 weeks!

The baby is about 3 pounds, 5 ounces and is 18 inches long from head to toe. The central nervous system is controlling more of his bodily functions. If he's exposed to bright light his irises will dilate (even in utero, although I don't see how this would really happen).

The information about me includes feeling breathless from gaining all the baby weight, but not to worry (and I wasn't), the baby still gets enough oxygen from the placenta.

From the APA: "Your baby is continuing to develop a layer of fat under his/her skin. This is in preparation for his/her arrival into the world and gives the baby more of a newborn appearance. During the next several weeks your baby will really begin to put on the weight. Remember the average size of a newborn is about 7 ½ pounds and 19 to 21 inches long."

Things people tell me

I've started classifying the pregnancy advice and comments I get from other people. Usually, I get this information from people I don't know and so far I've managed to be polite and just smile and nod, I'm sure a breakdown of saying something rude is coming as I get closer to the due date. But I've classified them into the basic comment and then the specific comments I get from that, people are slightly more polite than this, but it's easier to classify them as I hear them.

1) You are so big

 -Really, you're only having one?

 -You aren't due until February?

 -That's going to be a big baby!

2) My friend/relative/6-degrees person had this awful thing happen to their baby

 -I don't want to go into these, it's hard to be polite when listening to stories of otherwise healthy babies that are suddenly still-born, ill, whatever

3) I (only) gained x pounds

 -If it's only, x is like 10

 -Otherwise, x is something like 90

4) So and so was so happy being pregnant

 -Those women are lying, it's all I can say

30 weeks!

The baby weighs 3 pounds now. Although I don't have fruit sizes anymore, the book suggests putting a canteloupe on the scale at the grocery store and that's about the right weight. He's more than 17" long from head to toe now. The baby is practicing breathing now (even though it's just amniotic fluid) and may get the hiccups. His lungs are still developing.

Here's what the APA says about the baby: Your baby’s eyes are becoming more mature, and now he/she can tell the difference between light and dark. Babies at 30 weeks can even follow a light source with their eyes. Newborns only have the ability to focus on objects a few inches from their face. While “normal” adult vision is 20/20, a newborn’s vision is 20/400.

Also it says that I may start to tire easily especially if I'm having problems sleeping. This is an excellent point because I slept almost 5 hours straight last night, that's the most I've slept in a long time. It made me very happy.

Food Cravings

I don't feel like I have any real cravings (I don't say, if I don't get X, then I won't be happy), but I do have foods I want more than others. Right now I'm on some kind of orange kick. I ate a lot of Clementines last week so I bought a box this week and I've been eating them. After our work-lunch today I ate all of the remaining orange slices. A few weeks ago it was eggs, maybe each of these represents things I need, or maybe I'm just crazy.

29 weeks!

The baby is just over 16 1/2 inches long from head to toe and weighs about 2 pounds, 4 ounces. I guess we're moving right along.

The APA says to make sure I'm eating well and getting lots of rest. I like it when they advise rest, I can follow that (or at least attempt to).

Newborn Care 101

Last night was our newborn care class. We started out with a quiz that included true/false and fill in the blank questions (question 1: What should you clean the baby's umbilical cord with? answer: alcohol). We received the American Academy of Pediatrics book "Your baby's first year." This actually makes our third copy of the book.

We also did all the fun and exciting things like practicing washing your "baby" (we each had a doll), putting on a diaper, how to put on and take off a t-shirt, and how to wrap your baby up like a burrito (also called swaddling). 

I don't think we came away with a lot of new information, but it was nice to have a refresher course and to feel like you could say "I do know that."

Things I learned

I spent this past weekend with some friends who have a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and a 5 month old. The kids did their best to help prepare me for what life will be like with my old children, but they also taught me some valuable lessons:

• 1,100 is the biggest number (this is true even if you ask, what about 2,000)
• As soon as you promise more grits, you'll find out that you're out of grits and need to offer an appropriate substitute.
• Something in purple face paint stains faces.
• Having a pink keyboard cover is fascinating.
• Given this pink keyboard cover, you will be asked what all the buttons do (and asked to demonstrate them).
• If you're reading a book aloud and you mispronounce something, a 5 year old will correct you (and this is a little embarrassing).
• If part of a candy cane falls into your lap, the dog will eat it.
• When asked "why are you going back to work" it's surprisingly hard to answer.
• Although they're pretty tiring to be around all day, little kids are tons of fun and worth every minute (although that's easy to say while both of their parents are nearby).

Hungry, hungry hippo

"Hungry, hungry hippos" was one of my favorite games growing up (no skill involved, just playing). However, that's how I feel most of the time. I'm always hungry, I'm huge and I'm not really getting any smaller.

28 weeks!

Or I guess 7 months.

According to the APA the baby is 14.25" long and weighs about 2.5 pounds. The brain is beginning to develop into a more complex organ, and it's developing grooves and indentations (until now it's been smooth). Eyebrows and eyelashes are visible and the hair on his head is getting longer.

My book suggests that the next milestone is week 32 because I want to make it there even if the baby doesn't make it to term. I have to say, I'm still aiming for my due date.

Childbirth Class

Last night's class was all about interventions during birth. We learned about induction, medications given during birth (epidurals, analgesics, etc), and episiotomies. Then because of a conflict next week we went ahead and did cesarean sections (emergency and "planned"). I don't know that I have a lot to share about these. I don't think anyone really wants to have to worry about these things, there's a lot of trust placed in your OB.

These things were all informative, but they made me realize I don't really want any drugs during labor and delivery if I can help it. Each drug choice just forced more drugs to control for side-effects for the first one. But this could be because of the labor and delivery concept, labor doesn't worry me, delivery does (I can't say why really). I'm still doing my best not to think about it, mainly because there's nothing I can do to change it.

After all this we toured labor and delivery and saw the delivery rooms and post-partum rooms (and of course the nursery). Every room is private and you can control your lights and temperature (which for some reason I fixated on as a great idea). They look nice, but I'm sure I'll be tired of them when the time comes.

My Tummy the Table

I've noticed that I started using my stomach as a table more and more. I will catch myself at my desk resting my Diet Dr Pepper on my stomach.

I guess this is going to get a lot more frequent in the last three months. But I do have to admit that it's a handy table.

Dear Abby

Dear Abby,

Can you please tell your readers that the only comment a pregnant woman wants to hear about her size is, "You look wonderful."

Thank you,

Frustrated Pregnant Woman

(from The Pregnancy Countdown)

27 Weeks!

According to the APA, this starts the third trimester.

The baby is now 2 pounds and 10 inches long. And he's about 14-15 inches tall from head to toe (1 inch taller than a Barbie doll). He's almost fully developed now and the immune system is developing. The baby has a normal sleeping and wake cycle

The warning is to be careful about flying. They say to call and check with the airline when you can't fly anymore and when you need a doctor's note. The general suggestion is that after 32 weeks you'll need to check to travel.

Beginning Breastfeeding

This was our latest class. Since there's no "advanced breastfeeding" class, I have to assume that beginning knowledge is all I really need.

The class was good. I'll save everyone the gory details, but we got basic information and basic instruction. Vanderbilt has 5 lactation consultants on staff and they're on-call in case you have problems when you go home. That's comforting to know that I can call at any time. 

I don't know what else to say about the class, it's pretty self-explanatory (or else you want to wait to learn it until it's yourself or your spouse going through it). However, what I can say for all my classes so far is I do suggest them for new parents. Even if I feel like I know what we went over, it gives a sense of confidence and you get to meet other pregnant women (and their husbands) and hear that you aren't alone.

Childbirth Class

We had our second childbirth class yesterday. Three more to go. Yesterday we learned about the stages of labor.
They are:
-Early labor which contains active labor and transition.
-Pushing which is pretty self-explanatory.
-Delivering the placenta which is also self-explanatory.

Most people go to the hospital during active labor (several hours after early labor starts).  We also learned the signs of true labor pains (instead of Braxton-Hicks "practice" contractions). 

The signs of real labor are:

-Pain starts in the back (or legs) and radiates around to the front.

-The labor pains don't stop.

-The pains don't change if you change activities.

-The pains increase in intensity.

-There is a regular pattern.

What glorious things to look forward to.

26 weeks!

The baby is 1.5 pounds now and just about 9.5 inches long. He's taking practice breaths of amniotic fluid (or will be soon). His eyelids have been closed for the retinas to develop, but now they're open and he's blinking.

He may be swimming around upside down because apparently its comfortable.

So the additional information from the APA is:
The nerves in the ears are developing and allowing your baby to respond more consistently to the sounds that he hears.

My Whiny Complaints

I have some whiny complaints that I'm confident will be funny later (when I get so much bigger).
1. I walk so slow!
2. I really miss running.
3. My back hurts a lot. I can't seem to sit still for very long without having to move or stand up for a few minutes (it makes me feel fidgety).
4. There's not enough time to get everything done.
5. February is really close!
6. It gets steadily harder to get in and out of bathroom doors (and of course there are many, many trips to the bathroom).

I think those are probably the big things that annoy me. There are already just as many good things to counter-act the annoying things. I can't quite describe how great it is to feel the little kicks and know that he's doing well. Time just already seems to move much faster than I think it should.

Childbirth Class

We started our childbirth classes last night. They meet for 2 hours on Mondays and run for 5 weeks.

This week was a basic introduction. I would guess there are about 10 couples total. One of the other couples has the same due date as us, but most of the other couples were due about a month earlier.

We did some basic anatomy this week to illustrate where the baby fits and how he'll grow in the next three months. We also talked about some warning signs in pregnancy concerning pre-term labor. Some of the warning signs were: regular contractions, problems with vision, swelling or puffiness in the face and hands, and chills or fever of 100.5 or higher.

And finally we talked about what to take to the hospital for the labor process, this list was surprisingly long. It looks like they really expect me to get bored. My personal favorite was an "item to focus on." I can't decide if that should be a picture of something I love (like the dogs) or something I really hate so I can glare at it.

Next week we talk about labor and relaxation. Two things you always want to go together :)

Due Date

I don't think I've ever posted the actual due date. So, my due date is February 29. I have my fingers crossed that it will be his birthday :)

25 weeks!

The baby is now 9 inches long and he weighs 1 pound and 5 ounces. He has a distinct hair color, but it may change after he's born anyway. His bones are hardening and his brain is still growing.

The APA says the baby is already about 12 inches long. The other thing is that he's starting to gain some baby fat and look more like a baby (and I would assume less like an alien).

I can say for certain that he's still kicking away (and kicked my bladder the other day), my next doctor's appointment isn't until December.

Picking things up from the floor

I know that I have the majority of my tummy-growing ahead of me. However, I want to describe what it's like right now. Imagine cutting a soccer ball in half (or a basketball, anything about that size). Now fill it with air or fluid so it's firm and stick it over stomach. Keeping it in place, try to bend forward and pick something up, tie your shoes, etc. It's not impossible but it's annoying, and (of course) it's only going to get worse.

24 weeks!

The baby is about 1 pound 3 ounces now and 8.5 inches tall. He has a sense of equilibrium and can tell the difference between upside down and right side up. Over the next few weeks he will add blood vessels to his lungs.

A glucose screening test is in the works to check for gestational diabetes.

Okay, here's additional information I found interesting from the APA (American Pregnancy Association):

"Your baby's brain is growing rapidly at this time. Taste buds are also developing, and the lungs are becoming more developed and complex. The branches of the main lung are beginning to form as well as special cells that will produce surfactant. Surfactant is necessary for the air sacs to inflate easily. Babies who are born prematurely often have trouble breathing because these cells have not had enough time to develop or are not producing the necessary amounts of surfactant."

OB Appointment

I had my latest OB appointment this morning. Everything seems to be fine. The baby's heart rate is about 130 (which is normal). I scheduled my diabetes test for one month from now. I guess that's it really.

23 weeks!

The baby now weighs one pound. He's 8 inches long from crown to rump and has fingernails and toenails. In theory, the sense of hearing is already well-developed.

So more research says that fetal heart rate slows while the mother is speaking suggesting the baby hears, recognizes, and is calmed by my voice. I guess we'll see.

Kicking

We watched the VHS for the 19 week ultrasound this weekend. I forgot that the little baby kicked and squirmed around so much. Although it may seem like that would be annoying for the un-pregnant people, it's actually quite reassuring. I can feel a lot more kicking than I could at 19 weeks. The plus-side to the kicking is that you know the baby is okay. There are approximately a billion things to worry about with your baby, pregnancy, self, diet, etc and feeling the kicks cuts out some of the concerns.
So, kick on little guy.

22 weeks!

The book suggests throwing out the fruit bowl now. The baby is 7.5 inches long from crown to rump and a little over 12 ounces. The primary teeth have already formed and the eyes have developed by the irises have no color. His liver functions and his pancreas is producing insulin. Also, his sense of touch is established.

And now I'm the fruit. The book suggests I look like a pear, but I feel more like I'm carrying around a pumpkin. And I may have to be working harder to breathe because my lungs are getting more cramped. The good news is that we're past the halfway mark.

21 Weeks!

Look at a large banana, and this is the length of your baby. He's 7 inches from the crown to the rump and weighs about 10.5 ounces. The tongue is fully formed.

I may feel lightheaded or dizzy because my blood pressure reaches it's lowest point during the second trimester.

20 weeks!

Today is the halfway point.


The baby weighs 9 ounces and measuring from head to toe is about 10 inches long. Nerve cells for senses are developing now.

It's a boy!

We had our ultrasound on Monday. I'm pleased to report that everything appears to be normal and he appears to be healthy. I'm also pleased to report that he's a little boy and a little wiggle worm. The tech told us she was 99.9% sure he was a boy :)

19 weeks!

Today marks 19 weeks.
The baby weighs 8 ounces now, and is about 6 inches long or the length of a slice of watermelon. The brain is developing millions of neurons. He spends about 6 hours a day awake and 18 asleep.

Citation

I feel I should go ahead and cite the book I'm using for the fruit and vegetable sizes each week. My sister bought it for me when she found out I was pregnant. It's called "The pregnancy countdown Book: nine months of practical tips, useful adavice, and uncensored truths" by Susan Magee with Kara Nakisbendi.

If you are so inclined, here's an amazon link: Amazon

18 weeks!

Monday marked 18 weeks.

The baby is about 5.5 inches now, or the length of a large baking potato.
The vocal cords are now developed.
And there is a lot of movement which I can feel soon (in theory)