WEEK 19

I am 19 weeks pregnant (21 weeks to go)! BabyBunny is about the size of a nice large tomato, weighs about 240 grams, and around 15.2 cm long (head to bottom). The ligaments that support the uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight (some achiness in the lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides, this is round ligament pain). Darkening of the nipples, freckles, scars.

BabyBunny's kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. He may be able to hear your voice now. A waxy protective coating (vernix caseosa) is forming on his skin. /BabyCenter/

I felt a move, a stir!!

WEEK 18

I am 18 weeks pregnant (22 weeks to go)! BabyBunny is about the length of a bell pepper, weighs almost 200 grams, and about 14 cm long (head to rump).

 

BabyBunny's busy flexing his arms and legs. The ears are now in their final position. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin. If BabyBunny is a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place, if BabyBunny is a boy, his genitals are noticeable now. /BabyCenter/

I ordered a maternity jeans yesterday!

Consultant Visit

17+6 today (18+6 Dating Scan wise) and I have met my doctor in the hospital. He is the 'leader' of the Team I am assigned to.

The blood tests at my first antenatal visit are all negative:
• full blood count / haemoglobin level (to detect anaemia)
• blood group (which blood group and rhesus factor)
• Syphilis
• Varicella / Chickenpox (> 100 mIU/ml)
• HIV antibody
• Rubella / German measles (> 10 IU/ml)
• Hepatitis screening

The Dating Scan (Transabdominal US with GE Voluson 730) by the sonographer says:
• presentation: cephalic
• amniotic fluid: noral
• placenta: grannum grade 0, structure: normal

And interestingly the doctor put my dates to 18+3! It is hard to follow now how many weeks and days exactly I am at the moment. GP said one thing, hospital midwife calculated a day less, Dating Scan measured a week more, doctor came up with a fourth one ;-))) This is why I will stick to my LMP count...

The doctor performed a mini scan at the end of my visit. It was nice to see BabyBunny again!

WEEK 17

I am 17 weeks pregnant (23 weeks to go)! BabyBunny is about the size of a turnip, weighs about 142 grams, and around 12.7 cm long (head to bottom).

BabyBunny's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, the umbilical cord (the lifeline to the placenta) is growing stronger and thicker, and sweat glands are starting to develop. /BabyCenter/

Antenatal Introductory Class

16+6 today and I attended on an Introductory Class in the hospital for information on the early stages of pregnancy...

The first part was about the importance of an infant car seat and how to choose (not all car seats fit to all car!) and install properly. It was good to know though I think it is nothing to do with pregnancy but with child safety and that is somewhat further away.

The second part was much more relevant. The dietitian from the hospital's Nutrition & Dietetics Department took the floor. She spoke (briefly, not so deep) about the importance of a proper diet and nutrition during pregnancy, about dietary needs during this time.

The third person was a midwife from the Parent Education Department who gave us information about further classes available regarding pregnancy, birth and caring for a new baby. Certainly it is a good idea to attend antenatal classes to inform ourselves of all available choices and prepare for labour, birth and for the new role as parents, so I booked evening classes once a week over a period of five weeks, starting in end of March.

WEEK 16

I am 16 weeks pregnant (24 weeks to go)! BabyBunny is about the size of an avocado, weighs nearly 100 grams, and around 11.5 cm long (head to rump). The top of the uterus is about halfway between the pubic bone and the navel. The round ligaments that support the uterus are thickening and stretching as the uterus grows.

BabyBunny's legs are much more developed, the head is more erect, the eyes have moved closer to the front of the head, and the ears are close to their final position. The heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as development progresses. BabyBunny's started growing toenails! /BabyCenter/