She's here

I didn’t know that labour could be this way. Everything went so much better this time. Being continuously on a monitor calmed me significantly. People came to visit ahead of time in the hospital which helped me get my mind off the waiting. While we had to wait many hours (well over 24) I had a peace. As true labour began it went quickly. I had the sensation to push this time and could express that. I was tired but not exhausted. As she crowned and came out there was a burp and a cry. There was not an eerie silence. I felt relieved and lighter. The tears of joyous crying were uncontrollable. They placed her vernix covered body on mine and I was in another place. She is beautiful. I would be taking her home.

It didn’t seem long afterwards that the neonatal nurse practitioner took her down to NICU to help get her blood sugars under control…but not before we introduced her to our family as Imogen Grace Wallace, weighing 8 pounds and measuring 55 cm--what joy. My healing has been so much better this time around as well. Physically and emotionally I know that birthing a baby and life shortly after can be wonderful. Yes, sleep deprivation and worry are a part of the afterwards but I never knew that I could feel so good. Imogen certainly has contributed to that. And while nothing was as painful as losing and giving birth to Gordon he helped me in this labour. My body knew the work that it must do. I also knew that emotionally I could manage if I had done this before in the worst circumstances. And then of course there were the prayers. I do not even know the number or all the individuals who were praying but I know that we were covered. God was certainly present. There were many in attendance in that birthing room.

Her name? Yes there is a singer with that name. Yes, there is a Shakespearean reference to it. Years ago when we saw that name we immediately liked it. When we looked it up there were two meanings: maiden and made/ created in the image or likeness of. I have always liked the reminder that we were made in God’s image. Psalm 139 is a favourite as well. Grace: God’s favour. And so her name means In the image or likeness of God’s favour. We think that’s pretty perfect. Pronunciation: IM-OH-JEN (without dwelling or emphasizing the “O” too long. John refers to the O sound as more of an AW sound).

This Christmas we feel truly blessed. We are surrounded by our family. We are immersed in love. We have been given Imogen and for her we will always be grateful.

Imogen Grace Wallace
Born Dec 15th 2007
8lbs

Eagerly waiting to take her home. :)

last ultrasound

Well here is Baby Wallace. This will probably be our last ultrasound. My doctor gave me two choices: 1--stick with the original plan, be induced on the 17th and have an ultrasound and non-stress test or 2--get induced on the 14th. So we're thinking of having the baby in seven days on the 14th! The baby measured 6lbs. 11 oz. yesterday. His or her score was perfect. My cervix seems to be ready so the countdown is really on and this is our last weekend just the two of us. Please keep us in your prayers.

Dates and numbers:
There are 28 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 252 days pregnant.
I am 8.3 months pregnant.
I am in my 9th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: March 31, 2007 to June 29, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: June 30, 2007 to October 12, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 13, 2007 to January 05, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

By this week of pregnancy my baby's crown-to-rump length reaches about 13.5 inches and the total length is approximately 20.7 inches. My baby weighs about 6 pounds now. The top of my uterus has moved further up under my ribs and is about 5.5 inches above my bellybutton. My uterus has grown a lot in the past few weeks as my baby has gained weight. I may have gained about 30 pounds by now and it is common for my weight to stay about the same from this point onwards.


Almost full-grown baby at about 36 weeks pregnancy. Because the top of the uterus is high as it will be, breathing may be getting very uncomfortable at times. I might notice jabbing pains from my baby's kicks. However, within the next few weeks, my baby will drop into the birth canal and this will make breathing easier again. Most doctors like to see their patients weekly from now on to check for labour progression. (One more weeks!)

My baby's face has filled out significantly and looks smooth and plump. Because my baby has powerful sucking muscles and has had layers of fat forming for quite some time now, the cheeks have filled out like a newborn's. My baby's skull is firm, but not hard. Every baby's head has the ability to give slightly so that there is room for him/her to fit down the birth canal during delivery. Some babies are born with cone shaped heads from the pressure of delivery, but this will go away after delivery. The amount of amniotic fluid is at its maximum amount now and ymy baby may not be moving as much as s/he had been. The placenta is now one-sixth of the fetal weight.

35 weeks--16 days to go!

Dates and numbers:
There are 34 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 246 days pregnant.
I am 8.1 months pregnant.
I am in my 9th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby now weighs over 5.5 pounds and its crown-to-rump length is approximately 13.2 inches. My baby's total length is around 20.25 inches at this point. My uterus is now 6 inches from the bellybutton and the average weight gain is approximately 24 to 29 pounds.

Most pregnant women begin to feel cramped and heavy around this time and often become tired of being pregnant(no kidding!). Some women feel like they do not have to room to breathe or eat. I should eat small, but frequent, meals and rest as often as I can throughout the day. My cervix will begin to dialte and efface within the next few weeks to make room for my baby's head to emerge from the birth canal. My cervix needs to be 10 cm dilated in order to deliver my baby.

This week of my pregnancy my baby's fingernails will have definitely reached the tips of his/her fingers. When my baby is born, his/her nails may look long and pointy. My baby is less likely to scratch him/herself at this point because of the lack of room in the uterus. Fat deposition will still continue and my baby is getting chubbier and more round. My baby's shoulders are plump at this point.

The baby begins to develop his/her own immune system.

34 weeks--3 weeks to go!

Well another week down. Not much further now. I need to get through this week of work and then I think I'll enjoy the wait more.

There are 41 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 239 days pregnant.
I am 7.8 months pregnant.
I am in my 8th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby's crown-to-rump length this week is approximately 12.8 inches and the total length is around 19.8 inches at this time. My baby now weighs almost 5 pounds (on Thursday I was told 5 lbs. 11oz). From my bellybutton, it is about 5.6 inches to the top of my uterus. Measurements of my uterus vary from woman to woman. I should not worry if I do not measure the exact same as my pregnancy friends or family members as long as I am growing appropriately. When my uterus grows and gets larger at an appropriate rate, it shows that my baby is growing well inside of my uterus.

Braxton-Hicks contractions are going to get stronger and more frequent within the next few weeks. Braxton-Hicks contractions feel like a tightening at the top of your uterus that spreads down and then relaxes. Many women mistake Braxton-Hicks contractions for true labor contractions, but this is rarely the case. Braxton-Hicks contractions will diminish if I get up and walk around and they should not be painful.

My baby's hair continues to get longer and thicker. My baby's hair color probably is not going to be the same color from birth onwards, so yI should expect it to change in colour. My baby is shedding most of lanugo, but the amount of vernix caseosa is increasing. My baby is taking calcium from me to lay down lots of bone.

If I were to deliver my baby now, it would probably be called a pre-term infant instead of premature. The only difference is in the maturity, particularly lung maturity. A pre-term baby is less likely to need intensive care because his/her lungs have developed. Doctors can test lung maturity with an amniocentesis that checks levels of surfactant.

The baby now rests on my uterus and is no longer floating.

Fingernails now reach over the finger tips and the baby can scratch him/herself.

4th ultrasound

Well today we got to see baby again. He or she is measuring approximately 5 lbs. 11 oz. Yes--I am 33 and a half weeks. So we'll see what this baby weighs at 37 weeks! All things are good. It didn't even take long to get a strip during the NST (Non-stress test) because the baby was so active. I wish I could be so active! 10/10 for a score (fetal tone 2, fetal mov't 2...) During the ultrasound we could see a foot right by baby's head--contortionist? Just two and a half weeks and there will be more room for baby and for me.

33 weeks--4 weeks to go!

Dates and numbers:
There are 48 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 232 days pregnant.
I am 7.6 months pregnant.
I am in my 8th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby weighs about 4.4 pounds at this point. The crown-to-rump length of my baby is approximately 12 inches and the total length is around 19.4 inches. Measuring from the top of my uterus to my bellybutton is 5.2 inches. Total weight gain at this point of pregnancy is usually 22 to 28 pounds.

With the exception of crying, my baby is capable of doing everything that a newborn baby will do. My baby is restricted now inside of the uterus, but still can kick and move. My baby sleeps a lot of the time, just as newborn babies do. My baby's eyes move in the manner of REM sleep and researchers believe that babies can dream vividly in utero. When my baby is awake, s/he is listening, feeling and learning. There are billions of neurons in the brain that make trillions of connections. My baby will probably have settled into the birth position by now and my caregiver can most likely tell which way my baby is presenting. If my baby were to be born now, the lungs would probably be strong enough to function properly, but my baby may still need extra care from specially trained doctors and nurses.

During these last few weeks of pregnancy, most women experience an increased urge to urinate. The uterus puts a lot of pressure on the bladder and can send me to the restroom frequently. My uterus has actually grown 500 times throughout my pregnancy! Red blood cell production catches up with the production of plasma and physiological anemia may begin to fade at this time.

My baby's eyes open during alert times and close during sleep. The eye color is usually blue, regardless of the permanent color as pigmentation is not fully developed. The final formation of eye pigmentation requires exposure to light and usually happens a few weeks after birth.

32 weeks--5 weeks to go.

8 months!

Well another week down and we're are now at the 8 month mark. I have twelve teaching days left--which is good because lately I have the kids come to me as I sit and teach. That is okay but I'm sure they'll appreciate a teacher who moves around a bit more.

Dates and numbers:
There are 54 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 226 days pregnant.
I am 7.4 months pregnant.
I am in my 8th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

By week 32, my baby weighs nearly 4 pounds (I think more)! The crown-to-rump length of my baby is approximately 11.7 inches and the total length is about 18.9 inches. My uterus is now 5 inches above my bellybutton. Some doctors do not see their patients every other week until now. (I am going every other week to my obstetrician and then every week by week 34).


This pic is of a sleeping boy. the baby sleeps 90-95% of the day, and sometimes experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming.

Now that my baby has grown so long and my uterus is higher, I might notice a new discomfort. My baby is probably head-down and may occasionally stretch out and kick me in the ribs. The pressure on my rib cage can make me sore, especially if one of my baby's feet become caught. I can prevent this by sitting up straight as much as possible. Because my baby's demands for vitamins and minerals are higher than ever right now,I should continue to take your prenatal vitamins for the entire pregnancy.

This week my baby's movements will peak. I should continue to monitor the fetal movements daily and address any concerns with my caregiver. The wrinkles in my baby's face are disappearing and fat is still being deposited throughout the baby's body.

The body growth slows down from now on.

Because of the lack of space in the uterus, the legs are drawn up in what is known as the fetal position.

As a preparation for breastfeeding, my baby has learned to root for the breast. The baby will turn his/her head if touched on the cheek and open his/her mouth if the bottom lip is tickled. By this time the baby can also suck and swallow in a coordinated way.

31 weeks--6 weeks to go!

Dates and numbers:
There are 61 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 219 days pregnant.
I am 7.2 months pregnant.
I am in my 8th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby is continuing to grow each week that I remain pregnant. My baby's crown-to-rump length is nearly 11.2 inches and total length is approximately 18 inches. My baby weighs approximately 3.5 pounds at this point (probably 4). My uterus is about 4.4 inches above my bellybutton and continues to get larger. An average weight gain at this point is between 21 and 27 pounds. The weight that I gain is made up of my baby, placenta, blood supply, uterus, breasts, fat, water storage and amniotic fluid.

Because the ligaments and muscles supporting the small of my back relax and loosen in order to get ready for childbirth, my back may be aching from now on (yep). There is usually nothing that can be done to prevent backaches, only to make them more comfortable. Many women get heartburn during these last few weeks of pregnancy because the oversized uterus leaves less room for the stomach and the contents within the stomach. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help relieve the discomforts of heartburn.

This week marks an incredible milestone in my baby's lung development. Before now, the air sacs and branches in my baby's lungs were present but not functionable. The lungs were not able to inflate properly. However, now there is surfactant being produced in my baby's lungs. Surfactant prevents my baby's lungs from collapsing outside of the uterus and the baby is able to take in air and breathe properly. The fetal ear is almost completely developed both inside and out. My baby can hear my voice and other familiar sounds that s/he will recognize after birth. My baby is putting on white fat under the skin and the skin's color is pink instead of red at this point. My baby's fingernails have grown to the end of her/his fingers and s/he may scratch her/himself while s/he is in the womb.

30 weeks

Dates and numbers:
There are 68 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 212 days pregnant.
I am 7 months pregnant.
I am in my 7th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

I may feel as if I have been pregnant forever at this point. (No kidding!) It might be hard to imagine being pregnant for another ten weeks (or seven!), but my baby still has a lot of growing and developing to do! By this time, my baby's crown-to-rump length is a little over 10.8 inches and the total length of my baby is about 17 inches! My baby weighs about 3 pounds now (I was told on Friday 3lbs 70z.) My uterus can be felt about 4 inches above my bellybutton. My uterus, baby, placenta and the amount of fluid will get larger over the next ten weeks. I should be gaining about a pound a week at this time. (Ok, but not the baby right?!)

Because I am getting larger, I am probably becoming slower and clumsier (It's true). I should try to be careful to avoid dangerous falls. Good posture when sitting and standing can help me feel better during my pregnancy. I also should be rolling over on my side to get up after lying down because my muscles have stretched to accomodate my growing uterus.

Even though my baby is cushioned by the amniotic fluid, s/he can feel and respond to pain. My baby now does `practice breathing` to get ready for life outside of my womb. If I have an ultrasound at this time, I will be able to see this (it looked like baby was making sucking motions). If my baby swallows amniotic fluid down the wrong passage, s/he will still get hiccups that are noticeable by me. If my baby were born at this time, s/he would be able to keep her/himself warm.

The skin begins to smoothen as fat deposits accumulate underneath. The fat insulates and is an energy source.

My baby develops reflexes and the skin is very sensitive.

The brain is fully formed, and the child can feel pain. the baby may even suck his/her thumb. The eyelids now cover the eyes, and will remain shut until the seventh month to protect the delicate optical nerve fibers.

So 7 weeks to go--49 days.

If you like numbers

Well we had an ultrasound yesterday and a non-stress test. I didn't realize I was going to have the NST and had booked the ultrasound for 8:10 am. Needless to say I had to call the school during the NST and ask my co-worker to take my kids until I got there. She is truly wonderful. For me the non-stress didn't involve no-stress, that would have been a relaxing massage... Still it was good to hear the baby's heartbeat and to feel and see the kicks.

So numbers--mine are good but here's about baby:
approx: 1569 grams/ 3lbs. 7 oz.
63rd percentile for 30 weeks ( I was at the end of 29weeks)


Measurements: (first number represents weeks, second number represents days)
H (head) 31-6, 30-5
A (abdomen) 30-1
F (femur) 30-1

Fetal Assessment Total Score /10
Fetal Mov't 2
Fetal Tone 2
Fetal Breathing 2
Fetal Fluid Volume 2
NST (Non-stress test) 2

(2 is normal for each category.)

The ultrasound is a photo of the baby's head to the right. S/He is facing out. The baby's mouth was making sucking motions. Very cool.

29 weeks--7 months--57 days to go!

Well this week on Friday we will have another ultrasound. I'm really looking forward to seeing baby and hearing how he or she is doing...even though I get to feel that whenever I get kicks. I am feeling well and, as you've noticed, I'm counting days now too. 57 to go!

Dates and numbers:
There are 76 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 204 days pregnant.
I am 6.7 months pregnant.
I am in my 7th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

At this point in my pregnancy, my baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10.4 inches and the total length of my baby is around 16.7 inches. My baby weighs about 2.7 pounds and continues to grow every day. If I measure from my bellybutton, my uterus is 3.5 to 4 inches above it. Total weight gain at this point is usually between 19 and 25 pounds.



Babies that are born prematurely can be very tiny. Even a baby that is only a few weeks early can be very small. My baby will grow rapidly from now until week 36, and then at a slower rate thereafter. Generally, boys weigh more than girls at birth. The average baby's birthweight at full term is 7 to 7.5 pounds. (I can dream can't I?)

I might notice some leakage of colostrum from my breasts around this time. Colostrum is a sticky, watery substance that provides my baby's first food if I choose to breastfeed. Milk does not come in immediately after delivery and colostrum is high in calories and enough for my baby's first few days of life. My baby is stimulating the production of colostrum. The baby's body is ensuring that there will be a readily available food supply after delivery.

My baby will continue to open and close his/her eyes in the womb and may be able to see silhouettes of objects or even people in the right amount of light. My baby should be moving many times throughout the day. Some of my baby's movements will be predictable and if I notice a decrease in fetal movements, I should lie down and do a fetal kick count. I should feel your baby move approximately ten times in an hour.

Research has shown that my baby is not only able to hear, but also able to recognize my voice. This shows that my baby can already learn, remember and recognize.

7 months

Here we are at 7 months!

28 weeks

Well another marker--28 weeks (7 months). We'll take a 7 month photo and post. The other night John and I went to see Bourne Ultimatum. There was a fight scene and I felt like I was in it! The baby was really punching and kicking during the whole sequence--I suspect the sound effects and noise got the baby going. John figures our child will like action movies. (Well he or she won't be able to watch ones like that for quite awhile!) Sunday--64 days to go!

Dates and numbers:
There are 83 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 197 days pregnant.
I am 6.5 months pregnant.
I am in my 7th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10 inches and the total length of my growing baby is around 15.75 inches. My baby weighs about 2.4 pounds at this point. My uterus is a little more than 3 inches above my bellybutton. My weight gain at this time should be between 17 and 24 pounds.


Blood vessel in the umbilical cord. For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to me. Nourishment is transferred from my blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the baby.

I will probably begin visiting my caregiver once every two weeks. Week 28 is an important week for testing. I have had an antibody test. The antibody test will determine if you and your baby will have any reactions to each other's blood differences.

My baby's brain continues to develop and is now forming the folds and grooves of a fully developed brain. The amount of tissues within the brain also continues to increase in large amounts. The hair that covers my baby's scalp is also getting longer. My baby is now large enough for presentation to be determined and my doctor might be able to find out if my baby is at risk for being breech. If my baby is breech, there is still time for the baby to rotate.

27 weeks

We will be celebrating Thanksgiving with our family: the MacLeods, Wallaces and a few friends. Another reason to celebrate is the fact that I am now 27 weeks--officially third trimester. We are very thankful for new life (the kicks I've been getting lately) and the opportunity to see our little one. The countdown is on--10 weeks to go!

There are 89 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 191 days pregnant.
I am 6.3 months pregnant.
I am in my 7th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)
I am now in the third trimester, and last, of my pregnancy! My baby's crown-to-rump length is about 9.6 inches and my baby's total length is approximately 15.3 inches! My baby now weighs about 2 pounds 3 ounces and is going to grow rapidly during this last trimester! My uterus is about 2.8 inches above my bellybutton.

If my baby were born now,s/he would have an 85% chance of surviving. Even though my baby is still not fully developed, s/he would be well within the limits of premature viability. I still have approximately 13 (10 for me!) weeks left of my pregnancy, and during this time my baby must continue to grow and develop. If my baby was born at this time, s/he would have several complications that would require special attention. Because babies do not have adequate amounts of fat at this time, my baby would have to be kept inside of an incubator for warmth. Because the air sacs in my baby's lungs do not yet have surfactant, s/he would require an artificial respirator. My baby's brain, liver and immune system still need to develop more also.


My baby can develop hiccups

A date

Well we have a date--as close to a date as our obstetrician can give us: December 17th. We had a good appointment today and I felt very at peace and well taken care of. There wasn't anything particularly special about today's appointment...I just left feeling good. Baby has been moving a lot (way more than his or her brother did) which I am also happy about. I want to know as often as possible how he or she is doing and kicks and turns sure let me know! The next obstetrical appointment will be Oct. 26th--that is also the next ultrasound appointment--yay! And so there will be pics. 73 days to go...wow. I am looking forward to meeting you Baby Wallace so very much.

Fetal echo

The fetal echo test went well. It can be unnerving because you lay there (or stand if you are the dad) in silence for about 20 minutes or so. The ultrasound doctor is quiet and poker-faced. (John mentioned she'd probably do well at playing poker for that reason). The news was good. There was a mention about some fluid around the heart--just to keep an eye on and be aware of but not concerned about. The pediatric cardiologist noted that the ultrasound doctor had her work cut out for her as the baby was moving around quite a bit. I think that's because the baby and I have that worked out--baby has been pretty active and I couldn't be happier about that. So we were able to release our emotions after we left the room. Rob stopped in too (he works on campus) and it was good to get through another of many revisited moments but now new moments with this baby.
Thank you for the prayers for today! Keep them coming!

26 weeks

Dates and numbers:
There are 97 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 183 days pregnant.
I am 6 months pregnant.
I am in my 7th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

Tomorrow is the fetal echo. We did have one with Gordon as well around the same time. Unfortunately this test is in the same room where we received the official news that he was gone the day before he was born. Please pray for a sense of calm and peace as we go through this test--much like an ultrasound on the baby's heart. I will post how it went soon after.

By this week, my baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 9.2 inches. Remember, that is only from the top of his/her head to his bottom and does not include leg measurements! My baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is beginning to put on weight. My uterus is about 2.5 inches above my bellybutton and I will continue to grow approximately 1 cm each week. I probably have gained about 16-22 pounds so far. Because my baby has moved further up, I may get occasional pain underneath your ribs.



After a month of having his/her eyelids sealed shut, my baby begins to open his/her eyes again this week. My baby's eyes are almost completely developed. My baby's eyes are blue in the womb and may change colors later in life. This is true for all races because the pupils do not have their final color until a few months after birth. However, some babies are born with darker or lighter shades of blue. My growing baby will continue to put on layers of fat until s/he is born. S/He is still lean at this point of the pregnancy though. By the time my baby is born, s/he will assume the typical newborn's plumpness. My baby's skin will still be wrinkled and red, but the fat continues to fill the skin out.

Finger and toe nails continue to grow.

Blood vessels start to develop in the lungs to prepare the baby for life outside the uterus.

My baby's blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture the baby. The placenta is now almost equal in size to the baby.

Even though it is still way too soon for my baby to be born yet, the chance of survival without severe abnormalities is now 70% provided baby is born in a hospital.

25 weeks

Dates and numbers:
There are 103 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 177 days pregnant.
I am 5.8 months pregnant.
I am in my 6th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby's crown-to-rump length is about 8.8 inches. Weight has increased to around 1.5 pounds and fat is still being deposited at a high rate. Babies come in all shapes and sizes, so my baby could vary slightly from these `average` measurements. My uterus has grown quite a bit bigger this week. The top of my uterus is between my bellybutton and my sternum. My uterus is about the size of a soccer ball now!

If my baby were delivered at this time, he or she would have a good chance of surviving. It is best for my baby to remain inside of me for the remainder of the pregnancy, but great advances have been made in the care of a premature baby. Ventilators, monitors and medications all help premature babies develop and grow outside of the womb. If my baby were born this early, s/he would probably have to spend several months in the hospital and would be more susceptible to infections and other complications.

I can hear my baby's heartbeat with both a doppler and a stethoscope at this time, and John may even be able to hear the heartbeat unaided if he puts his ear in the right position. Sex differentiation is being completed now. If I am expecting a baby boy, the testes start to descend into the scrotum. In baby girls, the vagina is hollowing out. My baby is able to do more with fingers now and can move fingers to make a complete fist. As my baby becomes more dextrous, s/he will be able to touch and hold her/his feet. Babies also begin to prefer their left hand or right hand at this time. Because babies settle into routines of sleep and activity, I might begin to notice these patterns as well. Some women experience the most fetal movements while trying to rest. (Yep!)

Here we are at 6 months!

Well we are definitely getting bigger. Mom came over today and helped me put a couple stitches in my new bathing suit and she tried to listen to the baby's heartbeat with the monitor we have. She couldn't hear it (lots of kicks could be heard) so she tried the stethoscope--well that didn't work to hear the heartbeat either but the message she did get was loud and clear. When she pressed down with the stethoscope in one spot she was greeted with a swift and strong kick, as if to say, "Hey what's going on here?" I like that.

24 weeks

Nearing the final trimester! I'm saying I'm six months because we're not going until the 40 week mark so...Here we are. I'm looking forward to this next stage because I'm looking forward to having baby here. We bought a monitor that allows both mom and dad to listen to baby's heartbeats and kicks. Heartbeats not easy to find--kicks no problem.

Here are some stats. We took a photo tonight too so we'll add that as well.

Dates and numbers:
There are 110 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 170 days pregnant.
I am 5.6 months pregnant.
I am in my 6th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

This week my baby's crown-to-rump length is around 8.4 inches and my baby will weigh approximately 1.2 pounds. Although baby weighs a little over a pound at this point, my growing baby is still tiny. My uterus can easily be felt 1.5 to 2 inches above my bellybutton. The fetus does not appear to have much room in the uterus anymore, but as my pregnancy progresses, space gets much tighter!

Because my uterus is expanding and putting a great amount of pressure on my abdomen, I might get stretch marks. (Been there done that!) My weight gain may also be taking a toll on my body at this point (YEP!). Many pregnant women experience backaches, bladder problems, sore feet and fatigue that affect their daily routines. I might also have some nasal stuffiness or nosebleeds (yes).

My baby's face is basically complete now. The fetus's eyes are close together on the front of his/her face and they are still shut. My baby's ears have moved into their final position on the sides of his/her head. Where they are now is where they will be when my baby is born! Hair will continue to grow on his/her scalp and his/her eyelashes are well developed. Most of my baby's features look the same as they will at birth. Because my growing baby is getting plumper, he/she no longer has room in my tummy to do cartwheels and somersaults.




I sometimes get a stitch-like pain in your side from time to time. It's simply the muscles of the uterus stretching. The unborn child is covered with a fine, downy hair called lanugo. Its tender skin is protected by a waxy substance called vernix. Some of this substance may still be on the child's skin at birth at which time it will be quickly absorbed.

The child practices breathing by inhaling (up to a liter/day) amnionic fluid into developing lungs.

23 weeks

Well we are at 23 this week! I went to my obstetrician on Friday and all is well. The baby's heartbeat was 149bpm. It is always good to hear that beating sound. The baby likes to party it up at night so I can imagine what our winter nights are going to be like. In about a month I will have a fetal echo ultrasound.

Dates and numbers:
There are 118 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 162 days pregnant.
I am 5.3 months pregnant.
I am in my 6th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

This week my baby's length, from crown-to-rump, is approximately 8 inches! My growing baby has finally reached one pound. My baby is about the size of a small baby doll and looks very human. The baby's face and body look similar to that of a newborn at this time. My uterus can be found about 1.5 inches above your navel. My total weight gain should be approximately 15 pounds at this time.

I might notice some Braxton-Hicks contractions around this time. These contractions are not regular and they should not be painful. Braxton-Hicks contractions prepare my body for the upcoming labor and they will get stronger as my pregnancy progresses. I might be able to feel the contractions if I put my hand on my abdomen and my baby can probably feel the uterus gripping and massaging him/her.

Fat is still being deposited at a rapid rate, but my baby still looks red and wrinkled. Skin is being produced at a higher rate than the fat is, so the skin hangs loosely. My baby looks red because the skin is losing its transparency and pigment is beginning to form. I should be feeling my baby moving quite a bit throughout the day as she will kick and punch the uterus walls. Babies also run their hands along the umbilical cord and touch their body parts while they are in the womb. My baby now can suck his/her thumb for real, where s/he was just sticking it in his/her mouth. My baby will continue to swallow amniotic fluid and recycle it as urine. The liquids and sugars that the baby retracts from the fluid is a supplement to the nutrients that the placenta delivers. I might be able to feel small `jumps` inside of me when my baby gets the hiccups from swallowing fluid. The pancreas is developing and it will responsible for insulin production, to help break down sugars.

As the baby continues to grow, s/he has less space to move around in the uterus. Bones, muscles and organs are growing steadily.

22 weeks

We are at 22 weeks today. Many have said that I really look the part now. I also feel the part. My belly button is rising--stretching--to the surface. I feel pretty good and am looking forward to my next appointment at the end of the week. (One of my co-workers has her appointment at the same office about 20 min. after me. There are five of us in our school who are expecting!)

Dates and numbers:
There are 125 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 155 days pregnant.
I am 5.1 months pregnant.
I am in my 6th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 7.6 inches and my growing baby weighs about 12.25 ounces now! My uterus is about 2 cm above my bellybutton and I probably feel comfortably (what's comfortably?!) pregnant. My growing tummy is not yet large enough to get in the way and I should still be able to bend over and sit without much trouble(should is the operative word).

My baby's body continues to grow and develop every day. The organ systems in my baby's body are becoming specialized for their particular functions. The fetal liver produces different enzymes than it will produce after delivery. The liver is responsible for breaking down billirubin, which is produced by the breaking down of blood cells. Because the life span of a fetal red blood cell is shorter than that of an adult, a fetus produces more billirubin than adults do. Billirubin passes from fetal blood to the placenta and then into my blood. My liver helps get rid of fetal billirubin. A newborn baby that has high levels of billirubin may show signs of jaundice. Jaundiced babies have a yellowish tint to their eyes and skin and are often treated with phototherapy.

My baby's senses are developing daily. The fetus now has a full complement of neurons in the brain and is learning about his/her body and surroundings through touch. Touch is one of the first senses to mature and my baby may stroke his/her face or feel his/her arms and legs.

My blood volume has increased more to meet the demands of my pregnancy. Most of the increase is in the form of plasma, the liquid part of my blood. This has the ability to dilute my blood and give my physiological anemia, which occurs during pregnancy. The measure of blood dilution is called hematocrit and the levels reach their lowest points this week.

My baby now shows an extremely rapid brain growth (which lasts until five years after birth).

The ovaries of female fetuses contain primitive egg cells, all of the eggs a woman will have for her entire life. The uterus of female fetuses is also fully formed.

21 weeks

Well I'm definitely feeling tighter/stretched belly-wise. It always is apparent quickly that I'm indeed pregnant with the way I carry. I actually prefer this to having people guess. So next week is another appointment with my obstetrician on the 7th and students will be entering kindergarten on the 4th. Looking forward to both.

Dates and numbers:
There are 132 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 148 days pregnant.
I am 4.9 months pregnant.
I am in my 5th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby's blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture the baby. The placenta is now almost equal in size to the baby.

My baby will be getting much larger during the second half of my pregnancy. My baby's crown-to-rump length at this time is 7.2 inches and s/he weighs approximately 10.5 ounces. My growing baby is about the size of a large banana. I should be able to feel my uterus about a half of an inch above my navel. My weight gain so far will be around 10 to 15 pounds.

As my baby begins to lay down more fat, my weight will also increase. During the next 10 weeks, I will gain about half of the total gain for my entire pregnancy. Strangers can now tell that I am pregnant! (For sure or they're not looking!) I might notice an increase in appetite because I need 500 more calories a day to support my charged up metabolism. It is best to avoid processed foods or foods high in fat, calories or sugar. Some women also get strong cravings for foods.

My baby's different organs and systems are maturing. The fetal digestive system is functioning in a simple way and my baby can swallow amniotic fluid. After my baby swallows the amniotic fluid, s/he is able to absorb water and sugars from the fluid and then the waste is passed as far as the large bowel. My baby swallows the amniotic fluid in order to prepare for life outside of the womb. Some babies consume as much as 17 ounces of amniotic fluid in a 24-hour period. My baby already has a high number of red blood cells and the white blood cells are beginning to be produced. Taste buds are being formed on my baby's tongue this week also.

5 month pic

1 month 2 months 3 months




Here I am at 20 weeks--5 months

20 weeks

It's official. Gestationally we are halfway there! According to date of induction we are over halfway! In some ways that is still too far. But I do want baby to have enough time to really grow and thrive. In an earlier post I mentioned that if there are prayers anyone would like to post please do. We are both doing well as far as I know.

There are 139 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 141 days pregnant.
I am 4.6 months pregnant.
I am in my 5th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)
Congratulations! (Thank you) This weeks marks the half way point of my pregnancy. It has been 18 weeks since the date of conception (TMI) and my baby's crown-to-rump length is 5.6 to 6.4 inches. The fetus weighs about 9 ounces and my belly definitely has an obvious bulge. My wasitline has expanded and is no longer visible. My uterus has now moved up enough that it is pushing my abdomen outwards. The top of my uterus is even with or just below my navel.


Sex organs are showing clearly on this girl (Thanks for pointing that out! We don't know and don't want to)



For the remainder of my pregnancy, the growing uterus puts pressure on my lungs, stomach and kidneys. This will make my feel short of breath, the need to urinate more frequently and can cause indigestion. The added pressure on my abdomen can also cause my bellybutton to protrude and cause an `outy` instead of an `inny`. Many pregnant women begin to notice stretch marks around this time as well (Already there). My abdominal muscles are being stretched and pushed apart as my baby grows inside of me.

My baby's skin begins to thicken this week and will develop four layers. My baby's sebaceous glands secrete a waxy substance called vernix caseosa. My baby will be born with this wax and it will look like paste. The vernix caseosa is crucial because it protects the fetus' fragile skin from the continuous immersion in amniotic fluid. Lanugo hairs secure the vernix caseosa in place and it is thick around the eyebrows. Scalp hair and toenails are beginning to form at this point. Hair can also be seen on the upper lip and eyebrows.

Around twenty weeks, most doctors will order a routine ultrasound to check the baby's development. Measurements will be taken and the sonogram technician will check to make sure there are no defects or abnormalities. My ultrasound technician can also see how long my cervix is and can tell you approximately how much my baby weighs a this time (Had one at 18 weeks and won't know the date of the next ultrasound until September.) Most expectant women also find out the sex of their baby during this time! (Not me!)

Movements

Last night before bed I could feel the baby move and said so out loud. So John reached over to touch my belly. I wasn't too hopeful. I read that usually dads (and others) can't feel much until 28 weeks! Well John must be in tune--he felt movement. That is one of my favourite things watching him feel our baby move around inside me. So I hope baby is up for more performing...we sure are.

19 weeks

Dates and numbers:
There are 146 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 134 days pregnant.
I am 4.4 months pregnant.
I am in my 5th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

Close up of the face and hands

The right foot, including the developing bones, are clearly visible in the middle of the screen

My baby's crown-to-rump length is 5.2 to 6 inches this week. My baby weighs approximately 7 ounces and will increase its weight more than 15 times between now and birth!

Most women can feel their uterus about a half of an inch below their bellybutton at this point of pregnancy. If I turn to the side, I can really tell that my body is changing! Most women have gained up to 14 pounds now and only 7 ounces of that is baby! The placenta weighs about 6 ounces and the amniotic fluid that surrounds my baby weighs 11 ounces. My breasts have increased in weight by 6 ounces each and the uterus has grown to 11 ounces! I may be gaining weight in places other than my abdomen and this may be affecting my posture and sleeping habits.

One of the most amazing aspects of my baby's growth and development is that of the fetal brain. My baby's brain is one of the first organs to appear. My baby's oversized head shows the brain's importance in his development. Because the nerves that connect the muscles to the brain have grown into place, my baby's movements are consciously directed. My baby's ears stand out from the sides of the head and the buds for my baby's permanent teeth appear. My baby's arms and legs have reached their relative proportions and his feet are approximately one inch long.

Prayers and blessings

For our pregnancy:

O Lord and Giver of life, receive our prayer for all women who are pregnant and for the children they carry, that they may safely and happily come to the time of birth, and serving you in all things, may rejoice in your loving providence. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Father, we praise you for the work of your hands. For human life, made in your image, for the gift of your Son who saved our nature, for the power of your Spirit, who fills our hearts, for all you bestow upon us, we praise you, we thank you, we bless you. Help us to protect the life you gave us: support the aged, guide the young, lift up the failing, and heal the sick. To all people grant your truth in its fullness. May those who are yet unborn soon see the light of day and live to give you glory, through Christ our Lord.

For your Birth and as you grow:

When the first light of sun-
Bless you.
When the long day is done-
Bless you.
In your smiles and your tears-
Bless you.
Through each day of your years-
Bless you. (An Irish Blessing)

“World of Your Dreams” .

May you be blessed with understanding,
With wisdom and compassion in your heart.
May your tongue be filled with song.
And your lips sing out for justice.
These are the prayers we have for you. (Andy’s Bar Mitzvah Song) 1992 Deborah Lynn Friedman, Sounds Write Productions, Inc. (ASCAP)

As you make decisions and grow in your own identity:

May God spread his wings over you and protect you.
May you know great joy, happiness, and fulfillment in your life.
May you walk with humility, and may you understand that being God’s child is a source of joy and meaning, and an important responsibility.
May you honor your parents, recognizing that they have brought you into the world in love and in hope, and may you bring them great joy.
May you go from strength to strength, yet always be able to accept your own weaknesses and those of others.
May you judge yourself and others with fairness and compassion, and without harshness.

May you have the confidence and self-esteem to move towards whatever goals you choose for yourself, and may you have the wisdom and courage to change your mind if your original goals are replaced by newer and better ones.

May you allow yourself to dream your dreams and soar with flights of fancy and imagination.

May you always keep a precious part of yourself as "child" even as you move to adulthood.

May your ears be filled with music of every imaginable kind, and may the rhythms be of your own making, allowing yourself to march at your own pace.

May you experience the inevitable moments of sadness and pain in a way that will give these moments meaning and add value to your life.

May you live in a world blessed with peace and harmony, and may your future be as bright and as hopeful as the world's first rainbow.

And let us all say: Amen. (A Blessing on the Occasion of a Brit Bat By Leila Berner--adaptation)

I (Jenn) have made changes to this Jewish prayer--note words in bold and italicized

For all children:

Father, we bring our children to you for your blessing. Help us to be sensitive to their needs. Give us wisdom in our care of them that they may grow up rooted in love, steadfast in faith, strong and courageous in life. Guide us and all who have the care of children. May we never hinder but help and encourage them towards independence and maturity, and to a living faith in your Son, Jesus Christ,our Lord. Amen.

-Frank Colquhoun New Parish Prayers

Book of Occasional Services, The Church Pension Fund, 1979, the Church Hymnal Corporation.
New Parish Prayers and Contemporary Parish Prayers by Frank Colquhoun, Hodder and Stoughton, 1999.
The Doubleday Prayer Collection, ed. Mary Batchelor, Doubleday, 1997.

- Book of Occasional Services

Do you have prayers for our baby that you would like to share?

You oughta be in pictures...

Well we got to look at the baby. This one is a little uncooperative--at least today anyway. It was hard to get a good shot. Most of the time baby's arms were up and so were baby's legs: ready to punch and kick at the same time? Anyways I was happy to see the baby, measuring 18 weeks 5 days. Heart rate 138 bpm. No we couldn't tell girl or boy and we don't want to know.

18 weeks

Well we are at 18 weeks together and I have been feeling more movements these past few days. Movements remind me how our baby is his or her own person. I am not determining or deciding when our baby moves at all. I know that as he or she grows this baby, who is so dependent on me now, will continue to grow in independence. How exciting and scary!

There are 152 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 128 days pregnant.
I am 4.2 months pregnant.
I am in my 5th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)


Thumb-sucking at 18 weeks....

By week 18 of my pregnancy, my baby's crown-to-rump length is 5 to 5.5 inches long. My baby continues to develop fat layers and weighs about 5.25 ounces. My baby will continue to grow and develop, but the rapid growth will slow down for a little while. I will be able to feel my uterus just below my bellybutton. If I put my fingers sideways to measure, I can feel my uterus about two finger-widths below my bellybutton. At this point of my pregnancy, my uterus is approximately the size of a cantaloupe.

There is still space available in my uterus and my baby will be active for periods at a time. My baby may sit cross legged or turn somersaults.

Around this time, my baby becomes more sensitive to the outside world and shows his/her presence through powerful kicks and prods. The bones through which sound is passed to the inner ear have hardened and the part of the brain that receives and processes nerve signals from the ears are developing. This means that my baby can hear now. My baby will get used to familiar sounds, such as my heart beating, familiar voices, blood rushing through the umbilical cord and other daily routine sounds. My baby will become startled if s/he hears a loud sound.

I have a stethoscope at home, so I can now hear the baby's heartbeat myself (I'll try.)

17 weeks

Having a great time and I'm seventeen weeks! A couple of days ago as I was sitting and relaxing I was sure I saw a little kick. I'm looking forward to more of these.

There are 160 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 120 days pregnant.
I am 3.9 months pregnant.
I am in my 4th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)
My baby's weight has doubled in two weeks and now weighs about 3.5 ounces! The crown-to-rump length of My growing baby is 4.4 to 4.8 inches. If I spread my hand out opened wide, I can see about how big my baby is.

My uterus is moving up and is now approximately 1.5 to 2 inches below my navel. I am showing more now and there is a noticeable swelling in my abdomen. At this point in my pregnancy, a 5 to 10 pound weight gain is normal. Other people can probably feel the difference in my lower abdomen if they were to rub my tummy. I may have felt my baby move already. ( I have!) However, I might not feel movement every day at this point. As my pregnancy progresses, movements become stronger and more frequent. There is increased blood volume that puts pressure on small blood vessels and capillaries.

Huge changes continue to take place within my developing baby. This week fat begins to form and will continue to do so until s/he is born. Fat is important to the body's heat production and metabolism. Right now, at 17 weeks, water makes up about 3 ounces and fat 0.018 ounces of my baby's body. In a baby at term, fat makes up about 5.25 pounds of the total average weight of 7.7 pounds. (Unless baby is 10 pounds, 3 ounces!) The placenta is continuing to grow at an amazing rate. The placenta will continue to develop in tandem with the fetus and it will weigh more than a pound at birth! By this week, the placenta is large and well established with a network of blood vessels that exchange nutrients and waste.

The eyes are facing more forward. The ears are now close to their final position.

My baby is more flexible with ability to move head, mouth, lips, arms, wrists, hands, legs, feet, and toes.

Fingerprints are forming now.

16 weeks

All three of us have had a great time in Ottawa. We actually got some sunny days too so we visited Parliament yesterday. We have enjoyed our time with Jim and Susan (& Rosie, and Molly & Arthur). We also were able to visit baby's great-grandparents Grandma and Grandpa Wallace and great Aunt and Uncle Goulah and first cousin once removed Brianne with second cousins Wyatt and Paige. All in all a good trip. pictures to follow. We're growing!

Dates and numbers:
There are 166 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 114 days pregnant.
I am 3.7 months pregnant.
I am in my 4th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

At this point of my pregnancy, my baby is approximately 4.3 to 4.6 inches long and weighs 2.8 ounces. Not only is my baby growing, my uterus and placenta continue to grow to accomodate the growing baby inside of me! Just six weeks ago, my uterus weighed about 5 ounces. This week it now weighs 8.75 ounces! The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is increasing and there is about 7.5 ounces of fluid. I will easily be able to feel your uterus approximately three inches below your navel.

My milk glands start production at this time and this causes some tenderness and swelling in early pregnancy. My veins will become more visible because there is an increaed amount of blood flowing to the breasts.

Five and a half inches tall and only six ounces in weight. The child can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault.

At this time, my baby is holding his/her head erect. Because his/her muscles are developing, s/he can make some faces now. My baby is able to squint, frown and open his/her mouth. There is enough calcium in the bones that they will show up on an x-ray. My baby's fingernails are well formed now and the legs are longer than the arms. Because my baby is moving well now, I may begin to feel his/her movements! Fetal movements are usually felt between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy.

I may feel my heart beating 'louder'. This is because there is a lot more blood in my body than normal. (about 20-25% more)

15 weeks

Well baby we've been together fifteen weeks. People notice the changes you are making in me and many are excited for your arrival--a little over five months from now. We are looking forward to meeting you but in the meantime, grow, grow! Your daddy is worried that once I start feeling you move I won't want to let you rest and take a break. So you might want to get that "resting" in now for the next month--then get ready for some marathon movement! We love you little one.

Dates and numbers:
There are 174 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 106 days pregnant.
I am 3.5 months pregnant.
I am in my 4th month of pregnancy. (huh?)
My 1st trimester: April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007. (0 - 12 weeks)
My 2nd trimester: July 01, 2007 to October 13, 2007. (13 - 27 weeks)
My 3rd trimester: October 14, 2007 to January 06, 2008. (28 - 40 weeks)

My baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 4 inches and s/he now weighs approximately 1.75 ounces. My baby is close to the size of a softball and I can easily tell that I am pregnant now! If I wear maternity clothes or a swimming suit, other people will be able to tell that I am pregnant also.


My baby, 25 weeks to go..... (22-23 for me thank you!)

My baby is growing at an amazing rate and looking more like a human every day. Because my baby's skin is so thin, blood vessels canbe seen through the skin. Lanugo hair covers my baby's body, but it will be gone when my baby is born. The hair on the eyebrows and head continues to grow. Some babies are born with little or no hair and others have a head full of hair! If I have an ultrasound at this point, I might be able to see my baby sucking its thumb. Even though the eyes continue to move to the front of the face, they are still widely separated. Baby's ears look like normal ears and continue to develop externally. The bones that have already formed continue to get harder and retain calcium. The baby is very mobile and flexible at this point. S/he can bend his/her arms at the elbows and wrists and s/he can also make a fist with his/her hands.