The Gift of Life

How your baby’s growing:
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby’s brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries. They’ll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she’s born.

How your life’s changing:
You’re just a week shy of the halfway mark. You may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen (perhaps extending to your groin) or even a quick, sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides, especially when you change position or at the end of an active day. This is round ligament pain, and it’s caused by the stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support your growing uterus. It’s nothing to be alarmed about, but if the pain continues even when you’re resting or becomes persistent and severe, call your practitioner.

You may also have noticed some skin changes lately. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it’s from increased estrogen. Patches of darkened skin are also common during pregnancy. When they show up around your upper lip, upper cheeks and forehead, they’re called chloasma, or the “mask of pregnancy.” You may see these splotches on your arms or other areas that have been exposed to the sun. Your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva may also darken during pregnancy. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or “dark line.” All of this darkening is due to a temporary increase in melanin, the substance that colors your hair, skin, and eyes. For most women, these darkened spots will fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you’re outdoors. And if you’re self-conscious about your “mask,” a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

Source: BabyCenter

Definitely been feeling some of that round ligament pain, especially during the recent weekend as we were busy with get-togethers with the rest of the Filipino community here in the southside.

We have been thinking of names for the baby ever since it was conceived. My folks say I should give a second name that is similar to my grandmother’s (she recently passed away). We’re still stumped though. Any suggestions?

Our next ultrasound appointment is scheduled exactly a week from now. Our anticipation and excitement is growing by the day.

How your baby’s growing
Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She’s busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you’ll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she’s born. If you’re having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life’s changing
Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline increase. Look for specially designed maternity clothes that can accommodate your expanding belly.

You may have heard that it’s best to lie on your left side during your last two trimesters. Here’s why: When you lie on your back, your uterus can compress your pelvic veins — in particular, the inferior vena cava, the vein that returns blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your left side helps remove this pressure. Try placing a pillow behind you, or under your hip or leg for comfort.

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

If you haven’t already, you’ll probably have an ultrasound done sometime this trimester (usually between 16 and 20 weeks). This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby’s growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you’re working with is accurate, and see how many babies you’re carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking her thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby’s first photo album!

Source: BabyCenter

As of this writing, I still have not felt any movements yet from our baby. People say that it can take a while before I can really feel those flutters since I’m a first time mom.

We went to the antenatal clinic at the Canberra Hospital last Friday, the 20th of October. A midwife was there to register us and check on my condition. She measured by belly and found it to be of the normal size at my stage of pregnancy. We also got the chance to hear our baby’s heartbeat for the very first time. It was beating at 147 beats per minute. Really fast! We were also given a bag of goodies which included some sample products and tons of leaflets/brochures.

The midwife also enroled us for the antenatal classes that J and I will be attending for five weeks at the clinic, starting on January 2007. Our next appointment with the midwife will be on the 21st of November so that we can show her the ultrasound scan that we will be having on the 6th of the same month.

How your baby’s growing
Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She’s busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you’ll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she’s born. If you’re having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life’s changing
Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline increase. Look for specially designed maternity clothes that can accommodate your expanding belly.

You may have heard that it’s best to lie on your left side during your last two trimesters. Here’s why: When you lie on your back, your uterus can compress your pelvic veins — in particular, the inferior vena cava, the vein that returns blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your left side helps remove this pressure. Try placing a pillow behind you, or under your hip or leg for comfort.

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

If you haven’t already, you’ll probably have an ultrasound done sometime this trimester (usually between 16 and 20 weeks). This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby’s growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you’re working with is accurate, and see how many babies you’re carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking her thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby’s first photo album!

Source: BabyCenter

As of this writing, I still have not felt any movements yet from our baby. People say that it can take a while before I can really feel those flutters since I’m a first time mom.

We went to the antenatal clinic at the Canberra Hospital last Friday, the 20th of October. A midwife was there to register us and check on my condition. She measured by belly and found it to be of the normal size at my stage of pregnancy. We also got the chance to hear our baby’s heartbeat for the very first time. It was beating at 147 beats per minute. Really fast! We were also given a bag of goodies which included some sample products and tons of leaflets/brochures.

The midwife also enroled us for the antenatal classes that J and I will be attending for five weeks at the clinic, starting on January 2007. Our next appointment with the midwife will be on the 21st of November so that we can show her the ultrasound scan that we will be having on the 6th of the same month.

How your baby’s growing
Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he’s around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

How your life’s changing
With more weight up high and out in front of your body, you may feel a bit off-balance as you walk around. Store away your high heels and wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble.You’re likely to feel protective of your tummy, and that’s good. Trauma to your abdomen could be harmful to your baby and dangerous to you, so be sure to buckle up when you’re driving. Keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly and very snug across your hips for maximum protection.

Source: BabyCenter
-o0o-
Lanugo
Your baby now weighs more than the placenta. It is likely to be aware of loud sounds that it hears outside the body and may respond with sudden movements. Swirls of soft down-like hair covers the body. Called lanugo, most of this will have fallen off before birth.

Constipation
Progesterone, the hormone that maintains pregnancy, slows your digestion and may cause constipation. Drink plenty of plain water, as much as 2-3 litres a day, and eat simple foods that are easily digested. Exercise will also help. You may find you are sweating more than usual due to the extra blood in your system. You may also notice an increase in vaginal discharge, or experience nasal congestion due to an increase in fluid levels. On a more positive note, these pregnancy hormones can add lustre to your hair and a glow to your skin.

Source: Ninemonths

My tummy has definitely grown bigger. I measured it yesterday and my new waistline is now at 33 1/4 inches. A couple of weeks ago, it was just at 32 inches.

I have been eating more now as well, joining J at the dining table more frequently than before. That could probably explain the big belly and increased weight (Yay!!! I gained a couple of kilos!!!).

More updates to follow soon!

How your baby’s growing
Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he’s around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

How your life’s changing
With more weight up high and out in front of your body, you may feel a bit off-balance as you walk around. Store away your high heels and wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble.You’re likely to feel protective of your tummy, and that’s good. Trauma to your abdomen could be harmful to your baby and dangerous to you, so be sure to buckle up when you’re driving. Keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly and very snug across your hips for maximum protection.

Source: BabyCenter
-o0o-
Lanugo
Your baby now weighs more than the placenta. It is likely to be aware of loud sounds that it hears outside the body and may respond with sudden movements. Swirls of soft down-like hair covers the body. Called lanugo, most of this will have fallen off before birth.

Constipation
Progesterone, the hormone that maintains pregnancy, slows your digestion and may cause constipation. Drink plenty of plain water, as much as 2-3 litres a day, and eat simple foods that are easily digested. Exercise will also help. You may find you are sweating more than usual due to the extra blood in your system. You may also notice an increase in vaginal discharge, or experience nasal congestion due to an increase in fluid levels. On a more positive note, these pregnancy hormones can add lustre to your hair and a glow to your skin.

Source: Ninemonths

My tummy has definitely grown bigger. I measured it yesterday and my new waistline is now at 33 1/4 inches. A couple of weeks ago, it was just at 32 inches.

I have been eating more now as well, joining J at the dining table more frequently than before. That could probably explain the big belly and increased weight (Yay!!! I gained a couple of kilos!!!).

More updates to follow soon!