20 Weeks!!

How far along: 20 weeks / 5 months / halfway!!!!!

My view looking down

Have I "popped yet?" Maybe its something we realize after we have and compare photos. However I feel much bigger this week then I have been. Nathan says I should wear the same shirt to make the comparison easier.

 

How big is baby:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. Baby's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — about the size of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his/her head to his/her bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's /she's measured from head to toe.)

Baby is swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his / her digestive system. He /she is also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his /her bowels, and you'll see it in his/ her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

This week's big developments: The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen).

Baby is moving up higher and taking up more room Uterus is right at my belly button.

Weight gain/loss: same up total of 10 lbs, midwife was happy about my weight.

Maternity clothes: Same- I need a few more "work pants."

Best moment this week / Movement: I swear I saw my belly move as baby was moving. This doesn't happen often though. I feel baby every day. I wish Nathan could feel. He gets weirded-out when I keep asking him to touch my belly (to try to feel baby).  Had my 5 month visit with the midwife Wednesday, baby's heartbeat was 150, and everything looked good.

Miss Anything: Nothing comes to mind

Food cravings: I feel like my appetite has increased. I have the desire to constantly eat. I have been enjoying sandwiches and go probably twice a week to Erbert and Gerberts to get their vegi sandwich.

Symptoms: Same as last week: I am easily tired (a few meetings or activities and I am done), Dizziness or lightheadedness when I stand to quickly or come up from the basement. I notice I run into things/ bump corners.
Sleep: It has been more uncomfortable to sleep on my side. My lower back and hips start to ache :( I am normally a side sleeper but lately I want to lay on my back. When I go to bed I prop a pillow in the small of my back and I have the Snoogle pillow propped in front of me.
Anything making you queasy or sick:  nothing

Gender: Unknown. Ultrasound scheduled for September 16th and gender reveal the 21st. I cant wait to start decorating the nursery :)

Looking forward to: Ultrasound on September 16th, registering this weekend with Jennifer.  I welcome any suggestions on favorite baby products / must haves :)

Currently, I am looking into a Doula, - I feel that in order to attempt a natural water birth, having a Doula is essential. Unlike doctors, nurses, and hospital midwives a doula will be with me constantly providing support.  However I am not excited as I look at the costs (around $700). So I think I will start with the name I was given of a lady who is working towards her certification, these doula's in training do not charge :) I will have to meet the people to get a feel for them in order to make a decision.

Some information about doulas from babycenter.com, if you are curious.

A doula is a trained labor coach who assists you during labor and delivery. She provides you with continuous emotional support, as well as assistance with other non-medical aspects of your care.

A doula helps you before labor and delivery by answering your questions about what to expect, easing your fears, helping you develop a birth plan, and generally getting you ready for the arrival of your baby. During labor and delivery, a doula provides constant, knowledgeable support. She can make suggestions about positions during labor, help you with breathing through contractions, and provide massage. She can also answer questions you and your partner have about what's happening

It's impossible to predict or control how birth and labor will go. Will you connect emotionally with your labor and delivery nurse, and will she have time for you? How will you react to the pain? Will you have a swift delivery or a long, drawn-out labor? How will your husband or partner hold up under the pressure?

Faced with these uncertainties, many women find enormous reassurance in having a doula by their side. Research has found that women who have continuous one-on-one support during labor tend to use pain medication less often, have slightly shorter labors, and are less likely to have a c-section or a forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery.  In fact, if you're serious about trying to give birth without pain medication, a doula may be your best ally. (babycenter.com)

Week 19

How far along: 19 weeks.

 

How big is baby:  Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of an heirloom tomato/ mango.  His / her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her / his body now. Her / his  kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her / his scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her  / his skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid..

Belly is growing, while I was in the shower last night I noticed to see my "lady business" I had to bend forward vs just looking down. I laughed out loud.

I love mangos :) I will have to buy one this week.

This week's big developments: Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight.
 

 

Total weight gain/loss: I got on the scale this week and since finding out I was pregnant I have gained a total of 10 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Same- I need a few more "work pants."

Best moment this week / Movement: Baby was moving like crazy Sunday evening.  I thought Nathan would be able to feel it but that was not the case. I look forward to sharing this experience with him when the time comes.

Miss Anything: Nothing comes to mind

Food cravings: I feel like my appetite has increased. I have the desire to constantly eat.

Symptoms: Tired, Dizziness or lightheadedness when I stand to quickly or come up from the basement. I notice I run into things/ bump corners.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Tuesday, I woke up had some orange juice and went back to bed. Later I got up and took a bite of banana and threw up. After that I was able to finish my banana and felt fine.

Gender: Unknown. Ultrasound scheduled for September 16th and gender reveal the 21st. I cant wait to start decorating the nursery :)

Looking forward to: Having my baby!! My friend / cousin Sarah had her baby this past week and it made me realize "wow I am going to have one of those come January." It made me more excited and anxious to have my baby.
 

18 Weeks

How far along: 18 Weeks, close to the halfway mark!!! Each week that goes by makes me so happy.

* I feel bigger this week then the past weeks 

 

How big is baby:  Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long, and he weighs almost 7 ounces (about the size of a bell pepper). Baby's busy flexing his/ her arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His / her blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his /her head a bit.

This week's big developments: Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

.Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, not getting on the scale at home.

Maternity clothes: Love maternity pants :) I need a few more "work pants."

Best moment this week: Feeling baby move after almost every meal is so amazing. An increase from last week.

Miss Anything: Hot baths, I don't know if there is any point to me taking baths since they are not even close to being the temperature I like.

Movement: After every meal I typically feel baby and when I lay down to go to bed. It is so reassuring to feel the baby in there.

Food cravings: PIZZA from Pizza Hut that I have yet to have!  Lemonade.

Symptoms: Emotional. One moment I am happy the next crying (or want to) and then the next irritable. My poor husband. I have had bloody noses, nothing bad just when I blow my nose there is blood. I have to pee shortly after I drink anything.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Talking or hearing people talk about bugs. Seeing things that normally would not gross me out actually gross me out.  When we were in Iowa visiting Janice, Billy and Reed we were eating lunch and Reed had a booger hanging out of his nose and I almost lost my lunch.

Gender: Unknown.

Looking forward to: Seeing Nathan with our baby. It was so fun to see how him and Reed played! I snapped this picture below. They were playing "sleep" and bouncing on the bed :)

 

 

Week 17

 How far along: 17 Weeks

I need to remember to pick up the floor.

 

How big is baby:  Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and is around 5 inches long from head to bottom.

This week's big developments: Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her /his lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker.  She / he can move her/his joints, and her/ his sweat glands are starting to develop. (babycenter)

Total weight gain/loss: Have not been on the scale

Maternity clothes:  Clothing Mentor, a consignment shop a friend told me about) had a great selection of maternity clothes. I got a tank, 3-4 tops and a pair of work pants for $48!

Sleep: Sleeping very well. I notice if I don't wear comfortable shoes and do a lot of walking my legs will ache at night.

Best moment this week: Thursday I woke up and thought my belly looked bigger, not sure if its just me or not.

Miss Anything: Fruity alcohol beverages ;)

Movement: I think I felt baby again. I was in bed and thought I felt that nudging feeling a few times.

Food cravings: nothing different this week.

Symptoms: Feeling pressure in my lower abdomen & constipation

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing this week.

Gender: Unknown. We think girl, which makes sense because we can only come up with girl name ideas :)

Looking forward to: Visiting Janice, Billy and Reed in IOWA. We are on our way their this weekend!

Interesting: I dreamt this week that we had a baby girl, she had light brown hair and brown eyes...she was beautiful!

 

Benz helping me write this blog

Week 16 / Month 4

16 weeks / 4 months!!!

bare belly ahhhh!

 

How far along: 16 Weeks / Month 4

How big is baby:  Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his / her weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's / she's  about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces.

This week's big developments: Baby's legs are much more developed, his/ her head is more erect than it has been, and his/her eyes have moved closer to the front of his/her head. His/ her ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his/her scalp has begun, though his/her locks aren't recognizable yet. He's /she's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his/her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

How My Body is Changing: The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

I love visuals of what is going on inside my body.

Last week (15 weeks)

Week 16

 



Total weight gain/loss: Same

Maternity clothes:  Wearing maternity bottoms except for a few pairs of shorts I still fit in since they were big to begin with. 

Sleep: Same, sleeping pretty well.

Best moment this week:   Under movement section below
Gift: Jennifer and Mila got baby these two books. This monster book might be my second favorite book after "I love you forever."
 Miss Anything: This week I really miss hot /steamy baths.

Movement:  I thought I might have felt baby move on Monday evening. I was lying in bed on my right side and felt a nudging multiple times. I had not felt this sensation before.

Food cravings: This week I craved something I had not had since college: cheese tortilla with poppy seed dressing YUM! Also kiddie cocktails. I bought the ingredients so I could make them at home.

 

Symptoms: I think baby is growing- more pulling in my abdomen.  Migraine and vomiting this week. My appetite has decreased. If I don't eat often throughout the day and/or immediately when I wake up in the mornings I get sick.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Previous.

Gender: Hoping baby is not shy when we have our ultrasound.

Looking forward to: Going to Wisconsin Dells with my family this weekend.
Interesting: I had my first "weird" pregnancy dream. I was with my friend Jennifer at some park. While there she kept asking me if I wanted wine (forgetting I was pregnant) and then at one point she jumped into a pool with her clothes on. That was when I noticed her hair was curly and down to her knees. ha ha :)

Pregnancy is such an amazing process perfectly designed. I found this on pinterest and wanted to share...brought me to tears. I cannot wait to meet my baby.