|
|
20 weeks 2004-08-23 @ 1:29 p.m. I'm too darn tired to be at work. Lack of sleep is finally catching up with me, of course pregnancy has a lot to do with it too. What a weekend, I feel like all I've done is spend money. Friday I made my first major purchase for the babies. A double stroller! Then after work I met up with D and went maternity shopping. It was nice to spend some alone time with her and just talk baby stuff. She's 5 weeks behind me and it's amazing how fast time is flying. We each bought an outfit for the wedding. Saturday I tried to sleep in but we don't have any blinds on our bedroom windows so it was broad daylight at 8:00. I was irritated to say the least. So I finally rolled out of bed around 9 or so and vegged around the house until Chad got home from work. I did a little bit of house work, but not much. L came over and then the 3 of us went to Alderwood where we dropped her off for her wedding party stuff and Chad and I went shopping (again) and ran some errands. First stop was Old Navy to find an outfit for Chad and of course check out baby clothes. I found tons of cute things but when buying for two they were just too expensive. We went to Target to register and look at baby things. Chad opened my eyes a little when we started really checking things out. We decided not to register there and head to Baby's R Us to check out what they had and their stroller/carseats. So far we've agreed that we will probably buy a different stroller and carseat than I've already purchased. The BRU reps explained the differences between each of the strollers and we actually learned a lot. Now we just have to agree on a pattern which I can tell won't be fun. I was irritated because all the "good" patterns are only made in single stroller systems and there is very limited amount of double stroller patterns and they are hell to find. If there could just be one store that carrys all the patterns I would be happy, but that would be to simple. Sunday we finally got to sleep in a little longer. For some reason when Chad is home I can sleep in? We had the wedding to go to. But it was a lazy day to begin with. The weather was crappy and I felt like doing nothing. So, that's what I did. Around 3 we left for the wedding and luckily there was a break in the rain since it was an outside wedding. Everything turned out beautiful which shocked me. It was a very expensive wedding. I cried during the ceremony and during the dances, I'm such a baby. I turned and looked at Chad and said doesn't all this make you want to do it again? He said NO, and quickly reminded me of all the headache it was to plan a wedding and how we're moving on and having a family to plan for now... oh yeah! So we didn't leave there until after 10:30 which sort of explains why I'm so tired. It was worth it, a very fun time. Oh, I can't forget to mention that my friend L looked all purty dolled up like a girly-girl. It's not very often that a person gets to see that! Baby news... Friday night I felt a small lump on my side. Istarted rubbing it and pushed on it a little and it moved from under my hand. It was a little baby part!!! I started dancing around hoopin and hollarin so excited. So I showed Chad and it happened for him too! It was the coolest thing. I haven't been able to feel it since then, but soon I will be feeling it often. 20 weeks, updates from a few different sites - Is 21 weeks the 3rd Trimester already? 20 weeks - The child can hear and recognize her mother's voice. Though still small and fragile, the baby is growing rapidly and could possibly survive if born at this stage. Fingernails and fingerprints appear. Sex organs are visible. Using an ultrasound device, the doctor can tell if the child is a girl or a boy. Mother: POP! Your belly button may pop out and stay that way until delivery as your uterus presses upwards. Some people will have trouble breathing as their lungs become cramped with the internal organs. This will usually continue until the baby "drops" or engages into the pelvis. In a first pregnancy this will generally occur 4-6 weeks before your birth and with subsequent pregnancies not until you are in labor. There is a trade off once the baby "drops." You will have to urinate more frequently, hard to believe, eh? Remembering to do your pelvic tilts prior to laying down will hopefully allow you a few more minutes of rest before the next bathroom break. You are half way through your pregnancy! Congratulations! Baby: Lanugo forms from sebum and skin cells to create vernix. This creamy white substance is believed to help protect the baby inutero. It will cling to the lanugo and in the creases. This is also something that can be seen sometimes after the birth. Rumor has it that nursery nurses use it for hand lotion, because of its smooth, protect quality. You may be aware of sleep wake cycles in your little one. The weight is now up to 10 ounces (283 grams) and the baby measures about 25 cms total length, about 9.8 inches. WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU Congratulations -- you are halfway through your pregnancy! You're probably feeling wonderful now that you've regained your energy. Finally people are beginning to notice that you are indeed pregnant, as your uterus pushes your abdomen out at the belly button. The uterus now reaches the level of the umbilicus (plus or minus a fingersbreadth). Your care provider has probably been measuring the level of your fundus, or top of the uterus, with a tape measure. It should now be approximately 18 to 22 cm. if you are having one baby and your dates are accurate. Your abdomen may start to itch a bit as stretching occurs. Let your care provider know about this even if though it's probably perfectly normal. (Better to be safe ...) It is now possible to hear your baby's heartbeat with a special stethoscope, called a Delee stethoscope. Some providers begin to use this type of listening device instead of a doppler. It may now be possible for your partner to hear your baby's heartbeat by placing his or her ear against your bare lower abdomen. If you can't hear it right away, try the other side. Listen every day and you will be rewarded with a tiny, fast, rhythmic beat. You may be having some trouble taking deep breaths on occasion, particularly if you are short in stature, or overweight. Call your care provider if you exhibit signs of asthma, such as coughing, wheezing when you exhale, or difficulty breathing at any time, especially during, or following, a cold or respiratory tract infection. One in every 100 women suffers from asthma during pregnancy. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that women with a history of asthma, who are pregnant with girls, were more likely to experience an increase in symptoms, possibly due to hormonal differences. Asthma can be easily treated, and medications safe for use during pregnancy are a vailable. If you have asthma, it is very important to get a prompt diagnosis so you can avoid distress and complications. WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY This week, your baby weighs ten ounces and is 16 centimeters crown-to-rump. A white, waxy-looking substance called vernix now protects your baby's skin. If you are carrying a girl, she has six million eggs in her ovaries -- six times the number she will have at birth! Her uterus is now formed and she's beginning to develop a vagina.
Game Days 20 weeks - 2004-08-23
| |
|
� picture courtesy of Seattle Thunderbirds comments provided by Haloscan |
