Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Pregnancy Week 14

Ok, so I am a huge slacker and have been the worst pregnancy blogger in all of pregnancy blogging history. However, I have only had functioning internet at my apartment for 5 days so all things considered I think I am doing pretty well.

That being said, the last seven weeks of pregnancy have been externally uneventful. I haven't popped yet, but I think I am just now beginning to show. I have felt well and have regained my energy. I have been so thankful that I can stay awake for more than two consecutive hours. Around week 9 Garrett went with me to the first OB ultrasound. It was so neat. We saw the little baby and heard its heartbeat. It sounded like a train, " Chuga-Chuga, Chuga-Chuga..." It was incredible. Thankfully Garrett kept his color during the visit and didn't have to leave unexpectedly like he has had to do in the past. I am gaining confidence that my otherwise steady and resourceful husband will make it through delivery without his own set of nurses.

I had another ultrasound this past Friday and I am so greatful to the Lord because the ovarian cyst I have had for over an year and a half has shrunk to 1/3 of its original size. I have an appointment with the doctor to evaluate the ultrasound measurements, but if the cyst remains as is, then the threat of surgery during pregnancy has all but gone away.

I found this today and it captured my feelings this afternoon so here it is:
pregnancy cartoon

A few weeks ago I read that the baby's ears had developed and that he/she could hear us. So both Garrett and I have been talking to the baby. I have contemplated reading to the baby, but I haven't gotten up the nerve. In all seriousness, isn't it kind of strange to read books, play music, or even talk to, a small little person growing inside of your belly. When I start to really think about what is actually taking place inside my body, I can get a little freaked out. I am growing a baby. A person is growing and developing inside of me. Sometimes I wish I could shut down the part of my brain that engages in critical thought.


Week 14 Development:
Your baby weighs almost one ounce, and is 3 to 4 inches in length. Your baby's bladder is beginning to function and, believe it or not, your baby actually begins urinating. In fact, although doctors are not really sure how or where your baby's urine is produced, they do know it is one component of the amniotic fluid, which regenerates itself every 3 to 4 hours.

How your baby's growing:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active. (http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-14-weeks_1103.bc)

Pretty Exciting Huh. Well thats all for now, and I promise Ill do better in the near future:)