Belly Body Building--3 Months

I'm growing--larger (John says I look shorter too!) Well I'm twelve weeks along. I went to two appointments today--optometrist and clinic and Friday John and I will go see my obstetrician. So far I'm doing well. After the appointment we'll be heading to Canmore for a MacLeod cousins reunion. I'm excited about that but I'm really just anxious and looking forward to hearing our baby's heartbeat on a Doppler Friday afternoon.

12 weeks

Dates and numbers:
There are 195 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 85 days pregnant.
I am 2.8 months pregnant.
I am in my 3rd 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 almost 2.5 inches and he/she now weighs between 8 and 14 grams! In just three weeks, my baby's size has more than doubled and begins to look a lot more human. Even though I won't be able to feel my baby moving at this time, I can stimulate him/her and baby will squint, open baby's mouth and move fingers or toes.

By the end of this week, my uterus is too large to remain completely in my pelvis. I might be able to feel my uterus above my pubic bone. The uterus will continue to grow throughout my pregnancy and will return to its usual size within a few weeks after delivery. Before pregnancy, the uterus is almost solid and holds less than 0.3 ounces. During pregnancy, my uterus will become a thin-walled, muscular container that will hold the fetus, amniotic fluid and placenta. Before pregnancy, the uterus weighs approximately 2.5 ounces and when my baby is born, it will weigh almost 40 ounces!

Because most of the structures are already formed at this point, few will be formed after this time. The structures will continue to grow and develop throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. My baby's skeletal system now has centers if bone formation in most of the bones. The digestive system is capable of making contractions that push food through the bowels and it is also able to absorb sugar. The pituitary gland beginning to make hormones. I will probably be able to hear my baby's heartbeat with a doppler at this time!

11 weeks

Dates and numbers:
There are 202 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 78 days pregnant.
I am 2.6 months pregnant.
I am in my 3rd 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 continues to grow and is now approximately the size of a large lime! The crown-to-rump length of my developing child is 1.75 to 2.4 inches. The weight of the fetus is approximately 8 grams at this point. The growth of my baby is phenomenal now and my baby's length will double in the next three weeks. The head is grossly out of proportion and is almost half of the baby's length.

I am almost at the end of my first trimester and while changes continue to occur quickly in my baby, they are happening at a slower rate in me. My uterus has been growing with the fetus inside of it and is now almost big enough to fill my pelvis. My uterus may be able to be felt in my lower abdomen, above the middle of my pubic bone. I am not able to feel the baby moving inside of me at this time. I am burning up calories at a faster rate than I did before I became pregnant! The amount of blood being pumped around my body will increase and I might feel warmer than usual.

This is the last week of the embryonic period. From now on, my baby will be called a fetus. My baby's fingernails appear this week! External genitalia are beginning to show distinguishing features and the development of male or female will be complete in three weeks. The placenta's blood vessels increase to provide my baby with the nutrients and oxygen s/he needs for continued growth. My baby's ears are gradually moving from the neck towards the sides of her/his head. Inside of my baby's abdomen, the intestines are developing. Because the intestines are so large, some of them project into the umbilical cord and they will return to the abdomen within the next week or two.


At the size of a plumb, my baby is now able to swallow. The urinary system functions. The baby swallows and urinates the amniotic fluid and the fluid is continually replaced. The baby is kicking but I cannot feel it yet. All vital organs are formed and, for the most part, function normally. From now on, they will grow in size and efficiency.

As a preparation for breastfeeding, my baby now has learned to swallow. Babies swallow amniotic fluid in the uterus.

Looking the part

Today I experienced a what some kids will say moment. As I was walking a group of grade three students back to their classroom one boy had a question for me. (This same boy asked me in grade two if I needed a good day care because he knew one that he'd recommend. ) On the way he piped up with, "Madame are you pregnant? 'Cause you sure look like it." Before I could answer two other boys chided him. "You shouldn't say that; that's rude!" He didn't apologize and I looked at him and silently nodded yes. He then proceeded to exclaim, "Wow I didn't know girls could get pregnant so fast!" I had nothing more to say except that he was observant.

Needless to say the word may get around that I'm pregnant. I'm trying to be quiet and calm when asked in hopes that maybe the kids will move onto other topics. In the fall it will be obvious and they won't have to count so far ahead.

I had another appointment at the pregnancy clinic. We had some laughs and the doctor, who is an internist, asked me about prenatal classes. It was neat to be able to speak from my experience. When she said the only thing she was really worried about was the delivery, I assured her she could do it--if I could do it and Gordon was 10,3 (lbs, ounces), she could too!

10 weeks

Well I am ten weeks along. Again counting those weeks....27 to go! Low blood sugars seem to come on without much warning and when they do they are really low. I think this baby is eating everything.

All the info below can be found on the "I am Pregnant" link. I just change the you to "I."

Dates and numbers:
There are 208 days until my due date on January 06, 2008.
I am 72 days pregnant.
I am 2.4 months pregnant.
I am in my 3rd 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, the crown-to-rump length of my developing baby is 1.25 to 1.68 inches. It is now easier to tell how much the baby weighs since he is beginning to put on some weight. My baby weighs approximately 5 grams and is the size of a small plum! The baby has grown an incredible amount during these past few weeks.

Fetus in pregnancy week 10	Click for a movie of a busy boy at this stage

This week is somewhat of a landmark for my developing baby. By now, my baby's complete body plan is laid down. My baby will continue to develop and grow for the remainder of the pregnancy. The fingers and toes have separated and the tail has dissappeared now. My baby has taste and tooth buds at this point, which will continue to develop. The brain will continue to grow at an amazing rate and nearly a quarter of a million new neurons are produced every minute! The embryonic heart is completely developed. External genitalia are not apparent until next week, but a male's testes will already be producing testoterone.

First picture

I had our second baby's first ultrasound today! It was amazing how quickly they got me in and out. Even so, my doctor heard my name being called and was very worried. I passed by her just as she was saying not to scare her like that. I reassured her I was there for a scheduled ultrasound--one that she requested. (Afterwards I saw her in the hallway and showed her the pic. It was good to see her and to know that she really is concerned about the baby and me--not that I ever doubted that.) The baby is measuring 9 weeks and four days. The heartbeat was 158 (beats per minute). All seems to be going well. John and I were in and out of there in less than ten minutes (actually we met there and John was the one who had been waiting.) Anyways I cried some tears of relief and was quite happy to see our baby so clearly. (The ultrasound technician warned that it might be difficult to see from the front at such an early stage but no problems there! Baby was not camera shy!)

9 weeks

I had a very good appointment with my obstetrician. She was happy to see us and she reassured me with all the things I've been doing up to this point. We talked about dates and she agreed that 37-38 weeks is quite reasonable; baby will be born just before Christmas. I am happy about that. She also said that because we need to be certain about dates she wants me to get an ultrasound soon. So I get one on June 6th--yeah! I know the baby will not look like much at this point but it will be good to see our developing baby at this early stage. I am looking forward to that. There is so much I am looking forward to; I am trying to take things as they come. As far as symptoms go, thank you to those who are praying. Everything is not totally better but much more manageable. I am happier and healthy.

Baby:

We have elbows! Your baby is now approximately 13-17 mm crown to rump length, or about 0.51 - 0.66 inches. S/he also weighs in at 1 gram! Toe rays are present as the toes begin to form. Gonads have become testes (for boys) or ovaries (for girls). Baby will move away if touched through the uterine wall, and can spontaneously move as well. Ossification (hardening) of the bones may begin.