Week 19

The big appointment is this week and I might not be able to go :(



Your Baby

Your Baby Check out what happened with your little one's development last week .

Extra eggs. You probably don't know the gender yet, but if you're carrying a girl, the reproductive system is already well established. The vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place, and the ovaries contain more than 6 million primitive egg cells. When your baby is born, that number will have shrunk to about 1 million, which is all the eggs she'll ever have. Isn't it fascinating to know that the egg that became your baby is as old as you are, that it was just waiting to be released while you were growing up?

You've got male. If you're having a boy, things are also moving along. The male reproductive system is nearly fully developed. Testicles have formed and have been secreting testosterone since about week 10 of your pregnancy. The external genitalia, which became male in the first trimester, are continuing to grow: A scrotal sac is usually evident by now.

Second skin. "What's this creamy stuff all over my body?" Around this time, the skin starts to produce a creamy substance called vernix caseosa, which is made of oils secreted by the skin, dead cells, and lanugo, the fine hair that covers the body. This waxy coating protects your little one's skin from the effects of floating in amniotic fluid. Most of the vernix will disappear before birth, unless your baby arrives early. Preterm babies are often born still covered with a lot of vernix. Even full-term infants will have a bit of vernix in the creases of their skin.

Measuring up. Your little one measures about 7 inches and weighs anywhere from 6.5 to 8 ounces. There's a definite upswing on the fetal growth chart now, so expect some big gains in the coming weeks.


Your Pregnancy

Funny face. Don't try to wash off the dark patches on your nose, cheeks, and forehead. They're not dirt—they're a common condition of pregnancy called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." Hormones are to blame for this splotchiness, which affects some but not all pregnant women. Pregnancy hormones are also responsible for the linea nigra, the dark line running down your belly to your pubic bone. Both chloasma and the linea nigra will gradually fade after you give birth. Exposure to the sun can darken the pigments in your skin even more, so be sure to use sunscreen and stay in the shade if you want to keep a more even skin tone. Using sunscreen daily is a good habit to start now, in any case.

Round ligament pain. As your uterus grows larger, the round ligaments that support it must stretch. Occasionally, these stretched-out ligaments will cause a sharp pain or a dull ache in your lower abdomen, usually on one side or the other. It's probably most noticeable when you change positions suddenly or get up from a chair or bed. As with most discomforts during pregnancy, rest usually offers the best relief. Although round ligament pain is pretty common, you should call your doctor, midwife, or nurse if you're worried.

From the experts. True or false: You need to toughen your nipples during pregnancy to prepare for breastfeeding. "False," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H. "This is really old advice. In fact, it can be harmful, since breast stimulation can release the hormone that causes your uterus to contract." However, if you have inverted nipples—those that go in when stimulated—your health care provider may suggest strategies to make breastfeeding easier once your baby is born. To learn more from Dr. Dixon, click here . Back to top


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Week 18

We had a general check up on Wednesday and everything is good. Dr was talking about a 37 week delivery. Early April it would be.


From the pampers website @ http://www.pampers.com/en_US/pregnancy-calendar/week/18#your-baby

Your Baby Check out what happened last week.

One of a kind. This week, your little one is developing one of the characteristics that will make her unique: fingerprints. Pads of fat accumulating on the fingertips and toes will turn into distinguishing swirling lines.

Prepping the plumbing. "What happens when this stuff goes down into my stomach?" The large intestine has been tacked down to the back of the abdominal wall, and many digestive glands are forming. This developing digestive system has been going through its paces for several weeks already: The fetus is swallowing amniotic fluid, which then makes its way through the stomach and intestines. Now, that fluid combines with dead cells and secretions in the intestines to form meconium. Meconium is the black, tarry substance that will eventually make up your baby's first messy diaper.

Measuring up. The fetus weighs up to 7 ounces and is about 6.5 to 7 inches, top to bottom.

Your Pregnancy

Advice overload. You may notice that everyone, from your mother-in-law to complete strangers, feels compelled to offer advice about your pregnancy. How much you should exercise, what you should eat, whether you should work—no topic is off limits, it seems. While unsolicited opinions can be annoying, try to take them in stride, and don't feel you need to explain your decisions. A simple "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind" should do the trick. Try to remember that people get excited about a baby-in-the-making, and that they mean well. Also, don't be surprised if the advice "on the street" is different from your provider's recommendations, as many aspects of medical thinking have changed over the years.

Help for the lightheaded. Do you feel dizzy sometimes? It's no wonder: Your heart is working 40 to 50 percent harder than it did before you were pregnant. This industry, combined with the pressure of your growing uterus on blood vessels, can occasionally leave you feeling faint, particularly when you get up quickly. Be sure to rest frequently. Lie down on your left side for a few minutes several times a day to increase your circulation. Low blood sugar can also lead to wooziness. Eating a piece of fruit is a great way to keep you on your feet and stave off the munchies.

Mini moves. Are those gas bubbles or tiny feet kicking against your belly? Most women first feel the fetus's movements between 16 and 20 weeks. Because your little one is still so small, what you feel probably won't be a forceful kick but a gentle fluttering, as if you've got a case of the butterflies.

From the experts. Because your vaginal discharge changes during pregnancy, it may be difficult to tell whether you've developed an infection. "Most pregnant women will notice a white, milky discharge, called leukorrhea," says Elaine Zwelling, R.N., Ph.D. "The leukorrhea is normal and increases in amount as you near your due date." However, if the discharge changes color and consistency or is accompanied by irritation or odor, you may have an infection. Learn what's normal and what isn't—and how to reduce your chances of infection—by clicking here.

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Week 17

All is going pretty well right now. Dr appointment on Wednesday




From http://www.pampers.com/en_US/pregnancy-calendar/week/17

Your Baby Check out what happened with your pregnancy last week.

Growth spurt. This week, your little one starts to plump up a bit. The fat that's acquired, also called adipose tissue, helps produce and retain body heat. Fat tissue is also important for metabolism, since it's a great source of energy. This is a time of tremendous growth—your fetus might measure up to 6.8 inches and weighs nearly 5 ounces.

Good reactions. "What are these new things my mouth and throat can do?" Your little one has been working on two basic reflexes for a few weeks: sucking and swallowing. By the time your baby is born, she'll have nearly all the reflexes that you do, ones that will help her survive and learn about the world.

Girl or boy? If you're going to have a girl, a special set of tissues is developing into the uterus and vagina. If a boy is in your future, these same tissues are taking another path: The penis has formed and the prostate has begun to take shape. The testosterone-secreting cells, which formed a month ago, are key in orchestrating these developments.


Your Pregnancy

Dress S.O.S. Are you still squeezing into your pre-pregnancy clothes? It's time to invest in some outfits that fit you well. You may be pleasantly surprised at the selection and high quality of today's maternity clothes. Gone are the tent-like muumuus and cutesy pastels; no matter what your size or style, you're sure to find something that suits you. If you're on a budget, you can find some good deals at used clothing stores or borrow from family or friends. Wearing maternity clothing may be your first public announcement that you're pregnant, so enjoy the attention you're likely to get!

A word about amnio. If your doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife has identified a risk factor that requires you to undergo amniocentesis, you'll probably have it soon—most doctors perform the test before the 18th week of pregnancy. Amnio is the single most accurate method of identifying many birth defects, but it's not a test that every expectant mom should have. It is most commonly offered to pregnant women over the age of 35, since they're at a higher risk for having a baby with birth defects like Down's syndrome. It may also be a logical next step if your AFP test came back positive. But amniocentesis is not without risk, so it's important to be well informed. Speak to your provider about the pros and cons.

A pain in the ...No one likes to talk about it, but nearly half of all pregnant women get hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins of the rectum—veins that have become over-dilated due to increased blood volume and flow in the pelvic area. Constipation and straining during a bowel movement may also bring on hemorrhoids. If you're prone to varicose veins, or if you've had hemorrhoids during a previous pregnancy, you're more likely to get them now. The best prevention strategy? Try to avoid constipation by eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly.

From the experts. "Once you become pregnant, your feelings may be different than you expected," says Elaine Zwelling, R.N., Ph.D. "Women who anticipated feeling fearful may be surprisingly at ease. Those who thought they were ready may suddenly feel unsure."


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Week 16

Not too much new to talk about this week. Morning sickness is gone




Your Baby Sitting tall. The appearance of body hair and possibly head hair was the big story last week. This week, thanks to strengthening muscles, your little one is working on lifting the head and neck from their curved position. Being able to straighten out a bit makes sitting up a possibility.

Action figure. Your fetus is also moving those arms and legs frequently. These workouts could even get a sweat going, since the sweat glands have already formed (of course, your uterus will keep things at just the right temperature). Sometime between now and 20 weeks, you may be able to feel movement for the first time. But don't worry if you can't sense anything yet. Your little one is still very small—about 4.5 to 4.75 inches long and just under 3 ounces—and the cushion of amniotic fluid can make it difficult to feel movement at this time.

Your Pregnancy

The side effect. Most health care providers recommend that you sleep on your side during pregnancy. It's thought that lying on your back can increase pressure on the vena cava, the blood vessel that returns blood to your heart. Plus, sleeping on your back may make backaches worse, especially as you get bigger. And, of course, your growing belly makes it difficult to sleep on your stomach even if you wanted to. So it's worth your while to get used to sleeping on your side. Lying on the left is best since it increases your circulation, which can help minimize your chances of getting edema (swelling), varicose veins, and other complaints that arise from poor circulation. Many women find that a full-length body pillow makes side sleeping more comfortable. You can also try crossing your top leg over the bottom one to keep you on your side.

Spare on air. Do you find yourself huffing and puffing like the wolf in "The Three Little Pigs"? Pregnancy hormones cause fluid to collect in your lungs, making it harder for you to draw big breaths. Later in pregnancy, your growing uterus will compound the problem by placing pressure on your diaphragm and reducing the space in which your lungs can expand. Breathlessness won't harm you or your baby. But if your shortness of breath concerns you, talk to your doctor, midwife, or nurse practitioner.

Timely test. Now is the time to speak with your health care provider about the pros and cons of the AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) test, which screens for birth defects like Down's syndrome and spina bifida. This simple blood test must be performed between weeks 16 and 18.

From the experts. "The latest research shows that it's around this time—16 weeks—that your baby begins to hear and respond to sounds," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H. "In about two months, your baby will be able to respond to your voice!" To learn more from Dr. Dixon about your little one's hearing, click here.








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