This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt.
He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.
Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor.
My last doctors appointment was last Friday and everything was fine. The doctor told me that I was measuring perfectly this time. Last time I went in, I was told that I was measuring two weeks early. I guess the baby just had a big growth spurt last time or I was just measured wrong.
I have been getting Braxton Hicks Contractions for the last week. The doctor told me to just take it easy and make sure that I drink plenty of water.
My one hour glucose screening test turned out normal so I was glad that I didn't have to worry about doing the three hour test. I only have one more blood test that I need to do and then I don't think there are any more tests that need to be done. Yesterday I had my rhogam shot and I will need another one after the baby is born. The reason I had to get this shot is because I am Rh-negative. I wrote below what it means to be Rh-negative.
When an Rh-negative woman carries an Rh-positive baby, small numbers of the baby’s red blood cells may get into the mother’s bloodstream. This can happen during her pregnancy as well as at delivery. The mother’s immune system sees the baby’s Rh-positive red blood cells as foreign and goes to work to produce antibodies against them. The antibodies formed to protect you against Rh-positive red blood cells can pass to the baby you are carrying. They attack and destroy the baby’s Rh-positive red blood cells, causing anemia (low red blood cell count), jaundice, and in severe cases, heart failure.
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus.
His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)
You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.
Let the countdown begin! Only ten more weeks to go and we still have so much to do. We need to finish our house, move in to our house, schedule our hospital tour, register at the hospital, and buy all of the things that we don't have for this baby.
I haven't been sleeping very well these last few days. I just can't get comfortable so I am tossing and turning all night. In the morning my neck and back are so stiff. I try and catch up on my sleep during the day by taking naps with Jeffrey.
My belly seems to be getting so much bigger now, although I am not gaining any weight. Sometimes, at the end of the day, I find that I start to waddle around a little bit.
My next doctor's appointment is this Tuesday. I get to find out the results of my one hour glucose test (hopefully I passed). After this appointment, I will start seeing the doctor every two weeks.
Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.
His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.
Your baby's very active now. Your healthcare provider may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let your provider know if you ever notice that your baby is becoming less active. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.
The baby is definitely getting more active each day. At first he was on a regular pattern of just moving at night right before I went to bed and in the morning when I first woke up. Now it feels like I can feel him all throughout the day. It is so much fun to be able to feel him rolling around.
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.
I can't believe that I am in my third trimester. This pregnancy is going by way too quickly. I am still feeling really good and I am hoping that this last trimester will slow down a little bit so that we have time to move into our home before the baby comes.
