Week 34

I've had this post half written since Thursday, in anticipation of a belly shot. At some point, you just have to post, or else it will be time for the next week's update.

I'm feeling great and looking very pregnant. 4-8 weeks to go, but I'm not getting impatient at all. I know full well that she is less work inside than outside. I do see how the next few weeks are going to get increasingly uncomfortable though. My hips and lower back are starting to notice the extra weight, and it's a constant battle with the swelling in my ankles. I have figured out that hiking and swimming (one followed by the other) is a consistent remedy against the ankle loss. I'll have to go more frequently. The dog won't complain about that.

This week:
- Your baby acts completely like a newborn, with her eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping. She may also be settling into more of a routine for sleeping & awake times.
- She has learned to blink.
- Antibodies from my blood are being tranferred to her. These immunities continue to build until birth. Then breastmilk will add even more protection against disease.
- Fingernails have reached the end of the fingertips now.
- She is 17.7 inches (45cm) long and weight is 4.7 pounds (2146 g).

Ankle update

Because I know you care.

After a one hour hike with a swim this morning, after lunch time, my leg swelling was totally gone. Now, hours later, there is a bit of swelling returning to my right foot (which seems to always be worse). I'm drinking heaps of water, but I think it's a constant battle. I'm glad to find out that I can make headway though.

The battle for ankles continue.

Ankles? What ankles?

Yep, the swelling is still here. I think it's better today though. Yesterday we were installing crown moulding, which meant being on my feet a lot, so all the gains from Saturday were lost. But today is getting better. I was getting a bit stressed because severe swelling can be a symptom of pre-eclampsia. And of course, I have no idea what 'normal' swelling is, so I didn't know if mine was outside the normal realm.

I shouldn't have worried. I had a midwife appointment this morning, and my blood pressure is great and there is no protien in my urine (real symptoms of pre-eclampsia). I was stressed for nothing. However, my weight gain was ridiculous for only 2.5 weeks. I'm sure more than half of it was the water sloshing around in my lower legs though. The midwife said to swim and to keep drinking lots of water. I'll go to the pool tonight and see if that helps.

Otherwise, everything is great. Still measuring perfectly, heart beat, blood pressure - all great. I have another appointment in two weeks, and then I start going in every week. That means we're getting close!

33 weeks

33 weeks down, 5-9 to go. It's true what Sheryl said in comments below - this is the part of the pregnancy where I might start to go crazy. Moving slowly is hard for me; I'm not used to it at all. At the same time, I'm not feeling like moving terribly quickly.

The pulled muscle or ligament from the other day seems to have healed. I'll definitely try to avoid that again - it really hurt. Otherwise, symptoms are the same. Heartburn, some foot swelling. A new thing is that now she is out past my lower rib, and sometimes if I move a certain way, or if she moves a certain way, she catches on the rib. Feels gross, and I can't imagine it feels good to her either.

I'm starting to really look forward to meeting her. She is seeming more and more like a person to me. I did freak out last week when I realized that she would be sent home with us only 6-8 hrs after she arrives, but I'm also looking forward to getting to know her.

This week:
- Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during the pregnancy.
- Her head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch due to rapid brain growth.
- Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers.
- While most of her bones are hardening, her skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.
- She takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water. This breathing exercises muscles and encourages her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a protein essential for healthy lung development).
- She is now 17.2 inches (43.7cm) long and weighs 4.23 pounds (1918gm)

(Photo later when we get back to a connection that allows uploads)

More from Telluride

I'm having a very lazy day today. I went for a hike up on the ski hill yesterday, and I must have pulled a ligament or muscle, because I've had some sharp pains in my lower right belly since late afternoon yesterday. I called the midwives this morning, and they said it definitely sounded like I pulled something. She told me to take it easy today, and that it's time to start moving slowly and carefully now that we're really into the loosening stage. It's really easy to get injured now, as I've learned.

It's not a bad day to be lazy. There is thunder rumbling all over the valley, although it hasn't rained much yet. The bathtub at our hotel is great, so I'm going to go have a bath.

I did take some pictures yesterday, but the connection here is too slow to try to upload them to blogger.

Tomorrow is our last full day in Telluride, so I'm hoping I'm feeling a bit better so I can go for a (slow, easy) hike.

31 weeks

Wow, time is passing quickly now. Most babies arrive between 38 and 42 weeks, which mean we have between 7 and 11 weeks left. Seven weeks. That doesn't sound like very long.

I had a good midwife appointment today. As expected, I gained WAY more than normal in the last month, but she wasn't concerned. It was because of all the extra sweets and no exercise that comes with going on vacation. Now that I'm back, I'm already doing better in both the nutrition and the exercise departments. Everything else was great. She's measuring right on track, head down and feet somewhere near my liver. A lot of the aches and pain of a few weeks ago seemed to disappear at the cottage. So I guess they weren't just pregnancy symptoms - they were pregnancy plus work stress symptoms.

I'm done work! Today is my second day of living the life of leisure. Yesterday was unpacking, grocery shopping, catching up day. Today I went to the midwife and the chiropractor and also took Westley for a hike and a swim. I could get used to this!

Development this week:
- The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.
- Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.
- Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and bones are growing and hardening.
- She is approximately 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3 pounds (1502gm)
- The brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells.
- Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development.

(No belly pictures for awhile. We are camera-less until we buy a new one. We'll try to do that very soon.)

28 weeks

About 12 to go, although up to 14. I'm not officially (by any of the three measures) in the third trimester. I can't believe that 10 or 12 weeks ago I thought I looked pregnant. HA! No, NOW I look pregnant. Enough that strangers are starting to smile at me, and people who see me who didn't know about it say in a very surprising tone "OH! You're having a baby!".

The regular symptoms continue. Heartburn, feet in the ribs/liver, sore feet, tiredness. But I'm enjoying it too. Baby Texan is super active and I love feeling her squirm around. At birth class last night, Graeme has sitting with his hands on my belly for about 20 minutes, so felt her constand squirming. That is typical for her in the evenings. From about 8 or 9 until I go to bed, she's awake and active. I wonder if she'll keep that schedule once she joins us out here in the world.

Week 28:
- Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable.
- Hair on her head is growing longer.
- Eyes are completely formed now.
- Her body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.
- Muscle tone is improving.
- Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)
- She can recognize your voice now.

(I was planning to add a belly shot, but we're leaving for Canada early in the morning, and it didn't quite get done.)

27 weeks

Time seems to be flying now! 27 weeks, 13 to go. I had a midwife appointment this morning, which was good. My blood pressure was slightly higher than normal, but that was likely because I managed to lock myself out of our house this morning. I gathered up my stuff to go, and headed to the car. Upon checking my pockets, I realized my keys were still inside on the coffee table. This would normally not be a problem, since the back door is usually open. But there have been a lot of breakins around the neighbourhood in the past month, so I've been better about locking it - and the windows. Hmmm. I went to the back yard and tried pulling on the doors. They moved a bit, but I couldn't get them to open. I checked a few windows and they were all locked. At this point, I had 10 minutes to make it to the birth center. I headed towards the car to call Marlene, who has an extra key to our house, and noticed that the bathroom window wasn't locked. I climbed up on the air conditioner and opened the window. The window doesn't open very wide, but I did manage to get myself through it into the bathtub. It was not comfortable climbing through there and leaning on my belly. So, I did make it to my appointment, only 10 minutes late (I called on my way) but I did have slightly higher blood pressure.

Otherwise, the appointment was good. Baby Texan was awake and wiggling around, and her heart beat was good. They took some blood for the glucose test (I had the two-hour postprandial screen, rather than the 1-hour glucose tolerance test) and I told her my latest symptoms (continued heartburn, pain from my liver related to BTs feet pushing on it, minor sciatic pain) and asked a few questions I've been saving up. I also got a letter to the airlines for our flights next week.

I'm taking the day off, so I'm planning on cleaning up the house, going to the gym and preparing for movie night. I love having a week day off. It seems so decadent.

This weeks development (and a belly shot at the bottom):
- The brain continues its rapid growth.
- Response to sound grows more consistent, the network of nerves to the ear is nearly complete. As the hearing continues to develop, he or she may start to recognize your voice as well as your partner's.
- Lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb.
- She continues to take small breaths and although she's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when she's born.
- Eyelids are now open more. Your baby can distinguish between light and dark.
- Retinas have formed.

26 weeks

26 weeks down, 14-ish to go! Two more weeks until trimester three. Time is really flying now. Tonight we had our first Bradley birthing class. It was an introductory class and we were given exercises we should be doing daily including squats, butterflies and, of course, kegels. I just asked Graeme what he thought and I quote "it was fine." I think later classes will have more information, and I'm looking forward to it.

This week I've been having some back aches, as if my ribs are stretching, which they are. Still some sciatic pain, and the heartburn continues. But energy levels are great, Baby Texan continues to kick me frequently, and the belly continues to grow. I'll get a photo shortly.

This week:
- She may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm).
- To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.
- Air sacs in the lungs form now.
- Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.
- Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, her eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week.
- Retinas begin to form.
- Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.
- Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.

Week 25

I haven't sorted through pictures from the weekend yet, but today marks week 25, so I thought I'd give a pregnancy update. This week I got a glimmer that the summer isn't going to be all puppies and roses. I started to feel a bit of uncomfortableness - it's hard to bend over, sleeping isn't as comfortable, continued heartburn, and tonight I noticed that my ankles are swollen. That's a new one. I thought I had a bit more time before the swollen ankles started. The flight/drive on Saturday also caused the first bit of sciatica, which I was also hoping to avoid. Now that it's flared up, it seems to be a bit persistant. I'll try to do some exercises we did in yoga class that will probably help. So, in essence, the second trimester honeymoon phase is ending and I fear it's going to be a long summer. I'm still determined to enjoy it all, but I might occassionally need some encouragement. Please don't think that my reports on symptoms are a bunch of complaining (although they may sometimes be), I just want to record everything that's going on.

In baby texan's world, here's what's happening this week:
- The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings.
- Blood vessels of the lungs develop.
- Nostrils begin to open.
- The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now.
- Swallowing reflexes are developing.
- Dexterity is improving. She can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.
- She is approximately 13.6 inches long.

24 weeks

Week 24. Wow, it seems to be going so quickly now. Maybe that's because I definitely look pregnant:


Sorry about the flash. Graeme is away, and the 'hold the camera out and click' thing doesn't get the angle or the full glory of the growing belly.

I've been feeling really good, although I'm sorry to report that the heartburn has returned, which I knew it would, but it was quite nice when it was gone for a few days. Otherwise, no side effects to report. She is very active, and continues to improve her aim at punching my bladder. I'm really enjoying this second trimester, it's just like they say - the honeymoon trimester.

I failed to post last week's developmental milestones. Week 23:
- Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since she hasn't begun to form body fat.
- Bones located in the middle ear harden. She is able to hear.
- The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
- The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
- If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day. .

And week 24:
- Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
- Her body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.
- Taste buds begin to form.
- Little creases have appeared on the palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved.
- Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
- Lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
- This week the baby is officially considered viable.

21 weeks

21 (and a half) weeks. I've been feeling great, in fact in the last week or so I've really started to enjoy being pregnant. I feel her moving throughout the day, and I'm starting to look pregnant (the picture today definitely emphasizes it because of the angle). I've been going to prenatal yoga, which I also really enjoy. I went to a class yesterday and there were nine beautiful pregnant woman. It is starting to feel like a really cool adventure.

This week:
- White blood cells are under production.
- The skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque.
- The tongue is fully formed.
- The uterus and vagina are formed.
- She swallows more this week.
- Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. My eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as her signals.
- Length is now measured crown to heel.
- Baby measures about 10.51 inches.

19 weeks

It's true what they say about the second trimester. I've been feeling great. Lots of energy, fewer side effects/symptoms, and I'm actually enjoying being pregnant. I feel her move every day and it's starting to make me think of the things we need to get done before she arrives. And things we need - all these little things like a thermometer, a nose sucker-thingy, baby washclothes and soap, baby sunscreen and diaper cream... it seems endless.

The midwife appointment on Wednesday morning shows that I'm doing great, and the U/S showed that she is doing great. My blood pressure is fantastic, 90/64 and I've gained about 10 lbs so far. She weighs almost a pound, by U/S estimates. It's crazy to think that in the first half of this gestation she has gotten to 1 lb, and in the second half she needs to gain 7 more! That means I'm going to get a lot bigger. My belly seems bigger than it is in pictures:


Sharon, Nick and Selah, friends from Seattle, will be visiting later this week. That means cleaning up the spare room for them. It also means that Selah needs a place to sleep, which means I get to assemble the crib. Yay! I'm a bit overly excited about that. It all seems more real now that we know she is a she, and now that I feel her moving, but a crib in the house. That's just crazy.

This week, #19, here is what is happening.
- She has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. She has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.
- Nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly.
- Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow.
- The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth.
- The uterus starts to develop. The vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place.
-She is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine.
- size is around 6.02 inches (15.3cm).

Maybe if I suck it in

I have two pairs of pants that fit that are ok for work, and then I have one other pair that fit that are too nice for work. They fit because they are low rise and had a bit of room to spare in the butt (although, not so much anymore). I'm sitting at the computer at work right now ordering parts, and I realized I was very uncomfortable. Now, after pushing the front waistband down very very low, I'm feeling more comfortable. Sigh. I'm afraid my days of regular pant wearing are numbered.

Belly shot

Finally, a belly pic. Let's call this 15 weeks, since we're not changing my due date. I had a midwife appointment today and everything is going great. My blood work from last month came back all normal, and I tested negative for protein and glucose in my urine (I have a pee on a stick). My blood pressure was great. The midwife was very happy. They were all surprised at how little I'm showing for 15 weeks. My uterus is still measuring a week beyond my dates (16 weeks) but we're not changing the dates. It gives me more flexibility to go late if the kid decides it's too cozy to come out.

I've been having a lot of ligament stretching pain the last few weeks, but I don't know if that correlates with showing. I keep expecting to wake up suddenly one morning and I'll look pregnant.

Blech

I feel blech today. I've been super tired, have a headache and although I feel a bit hungry, nothing sounds at all appetizing. I came home from work early and had a cup of hot chocolate (we're having a rainy day, so it seemed appropriate) and reading a bit. It's also the third day in a row without exercise, which always makes me feel gross, even when not pregnant. Sigh.

My new symptoms for the past week or so has been ligament stretching. It's sort of a cramp/pulling feeling that lasts about a second. I have them on and off for hours at a time. If I didn't know what it was it would be worrisome, but I know it's nothing to worry about.

I hope I sleep well tonight. I've been getting up to pee a lot. What is going to be like in August if I feel crappy already??

Thank you for your support

I bought the first pregnancy related item(s) today. A bra. Actually, four. I had none at all. Previously, I haven't been able to fill an A cup, so there wasn't much point in wearing one. I would wear tanks with built in shelf bras, or just layer t-shirts and it was totally fine. But the boobs have been growing, and now I can't comfortably run around without crossing my arms over my chest. And it's not looking quite so good in the t-shirts. I went to Petticoat Fair, which every woman in Austin I've ever talked to about bras has recommended. And they know what they are doing. I went in, put my name down for a custom fitting and explained the situation - never really had a real bra, don't know what size I'll be, don't want to spend a lot if they aren't going to fit for long, etc. etc. The woman brought me a few to try, and I found FOUR that were good. They are comfortable! And the most expensive one was $20! I even had to ask how many bras you need - she said three, but since I couldn't decide, I got all four of them. And now I can run without my arms crossed awkwardly. Yay!

Fill in the blank: The _______, they are a'changin'

If you guessed boobs, you're right! For the last week or so, my boobs have been growing. The right more than the left, to add to the oddity. I have always been not-quite an A cup, not being able to actually fill the cups. The result is that I don't even own a bra, because really? what's the point? Now I think the right one has moved passed A and is making a run for B. The less ambitious left (or perhaps this is a turtle and hare type event?) is plodding along behind. I'm starting to feel like I could use a bra, but how do I know what size? What if they keep going and I end up looking like one of those women who didn't know you could choose any size of implant and now looks like she'll fall over at any minute?

Seven weeks

Today is seven weeks. I'll post a belly picture later in the weekend.

I'm feeling pretty good - still very tired in the afternoons, which I now realize is directly related to exercise in the morning. If I ride to work or go to the gym, I'm wiped out, but if I just sit around on my ass all day, I'm not nearly as tired. Quite a realization, I know.

I'm racing this weekend - likely my only race of '07. It's a 24 hr adventure race, and it will be interesting to see how it will go with my crazy eating habits and extreme fatigue. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh, my boobs are hurting.

Each new day

We're getting into the thick of the first trimester now. 6.5 weeks, and by all accounts the symptoms really kick in during week 7 and 8. I'm gaining new symptoms daily, it seems. My lower back started hurting on the weekend, and now my boobs (ok, just the right one) is sore, and they seem to be growing, since this shirt didn't use to fit like this.

My stomach is queasy throughout the day, but usually calms with a few bite to eat. But not always. I haven't been sick to the point of throwing up, but I certainly have stomach awareness. Stomach awareness and boob awareness. Fun times.