I'll do a regular update now and a video update on Friday after our scan and first appointment with the gynae - moving on from the fertility specialist.
Baby's development
Up until 11 weeks pregnant you could see right through your baby's skin. Now, your baby's skin will remain paper thin but becomes a multi-layered membrane losing much of its transparency. By this point in time your little one should be able to open and close her fists, and is starting to form little buds that will one day pop out as teeth!
By pregnancy 11 weeks your baby's fingers and toes have lost their amphibious like resemblance, now separated instead of webbed. Your little one is taking advantage of the huge space she is floating in by pregnancy 11 weeks, by kicking and squirming about. In the next three weeks your baby will go through a tremendous growth spurt, almost doubling in size. At no other time in your baby's life will she undergo as many rapid changes as are occurring during this stage of your pregnancy.
Your Growth and Development
You may be starting to show a bit by 11 weeks pregnant at this point (but not very much unless you have already had a baby). You are almost at the end of your first trimester by pregnancy at 11 weeks but you still may not look pregnant to onlookers, which some women find frustrating. Take comfort knowing that your uterus however is now just about big enough to fill your pelvis and is probably poking up above the middle of your pubic bone. Before you know it your tummy will pronounce to the whole world that you are pregnant!
By 11 weeks pregnant you should be feeling pretty pregnant, even if you don't look very pregnant. You might start to notice that your hair and fingernails start growing very rapidly. For some women this doesn't happen until closer to the third trimester, but others notice it right away. However, some women also find that their hair is more unruly than normal, so don't count on thick locks during pregnancy necessarily. If you have been suffering from terrible morning sickness, take heart knowing that in just another week or two you should start to feel remarkably better. Many women start gaining weight, about a pound per week during the second trimester, as they find their nausea subsiding.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Pregnancy is contagious
I just have to laugh - 4 out of 7 of us at book club are now pregnant. As I mentioned before, there must have been something in the wine. Something that cancels the birth control pill or to that effect :)
Anyway, so here's to celebrating another 2010 baby!
Oh and Nudger is now known as a Foetus, it graduated from embryo just this morning :D
Anyway, so here's to celebrating another 2010 baby!
Oh and Nudger is now known as a Foetus, it graduated from embryo just this morning :D
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
10 weeks - Dedicated to a very dear friend
A close friend of mine (who was exactly as far as I am) unfortunately had a miscarriage yesterday. I am so so devastated for her. I can't imagine the pain and hurt she is going through. I'm so sorry my friend, you are in my prayers and I know that you will have a little baby in your arms one day soon. This post is dedicated to her, her hubby to be in a few short weeks, little Luka and bubble that has gone to heaven. xx
10 weeks
By the end of pregnancy 10 weeks your baby will have moved past the embryonic period, and will begin the 'fetal' period. The fetal period is the time when your fetus will grow rapidly. By week ten your baby is less at risk for congenital malformations, which usually occur during the first nine weeks of pregnancy. You should breathe a big sigh of relief by the end of pregnancy week 10 now that this important developmental stage is past!
Changes in You
Hang in there, now that you are 10 weeks pregnant just a couple more weeks and you should start realizing some significant relief from morning sickness!
By 10 weeks pregnant you are probably starting to feel more and more positive about your pregnancy. You have probably had the opportunity by now to hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time at your doctor's office. The sound of your baby's heartbeat for the first time will probably send you and your partner to the moon and back.
We have been given the option to get a detailed scan by one of the top 5 doctors in the country, that specialize in detecting defects and congenital abnormalities from 10 weeks 6 days to 13 weeks 3 days. They count the fingers on the hands etc. Though they spend in excess of 30 minutes scanning the baby, which has actually not be proven to be safe. Justin and I have not completely decided if this is something we want to do, though for now we are just letting it be. God has told us everything is going to be just fine, and we trusted Him with this pregnancy, so I believe that that trust should extend throughout the pregnancy.
10 weeks
By the end of pregnancy 10 weeks your baby will have moved past the embryonic period, and will begin the 'fetal' period. The fetal period is the time when your fetus will grow rapidly. By week ten your baby is less at risk for congenital malformations, which usually occur during the first nine weeks of pregnancy. You should breathe a big sigh of relief by the end of pregnancy week 10 now that this important developmental stage is past!
Changes in You
Hang in there, now that you are 10 weeks pregnant just a couple more weeks and you should start realizing some significant relief from morning sickness!
By 10 weeks pregnant you are probably starting to feel more and more positive about your pregnancy. You have probably had the opportunity by now to hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time at your doctor's office. The sound of your baby's heartbeat for the first time will probably send you and your partner to the moon and back.
We have been given the option to get a detailed scan by one of the top 5 doctors in the country, that specialize in detecting defects and congenital abnormalities from 10 weeks 6 days to 13 weeks 3 days. They count the fingers on the hands etc. Though they spend in excess of 30 minutes scanning the baby, which has actually not be proven to be safe. Justin and I have not completely decided if this is something we want to do, though for now we are just letting it be. God has told us everything is going to be just fine, and we trusted Him with this pregnancy, so I believe that that trust should extend throughout the pregnancy.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
9 weeks
Tomorrow we are 9 weeks! I will do a video update of the last 2 weeks as well as an update of our scan.
Baby is beginning to move, but you won't be able to feel anything for some time.
Baby is growing nipples and hair follicles (although there's still a chance you'll be giving birth to a baldy!) His pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and anus are all in place, ready to poop and pee a dozen times a day when he's born. Your baby's head is half the size of his body and his little chin is tucked into his chest. His tiny tail is beginning to shrink away, giving Junior a more human and less amphibious look.
Until now, all pre-babies look the same "down there." This week, however, your baby will begin to develop either male or female genitalia. In layman terms, your baby is beginning to develop her hoo-ha or his wee-wee. While you won't be able to find out the gender of your baby for several more weeks, the version you'll give birth to is being developed right now.
At this stage, your developing fetus is 1-inch in length, about the size of a martini olive (you remember martinis, don't you?) and weighs a mere 2 grams—a little less than a penny.
Baby is beginning to move, but you won't be able to feel anything for some time.
Baby is growing nipples and hair follicles (although there's still a chance you'll be giving birth to a baldy!) His pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and anus are all in place, ready to poop and pee a dozen times a day when he's born. Your baby's head is half the size of his body and his little chin is tucked into his chest. His tiny tail is beginning to shrink away, giving Junior a more human and less amphibious look.
Until now, all pre-babies look the same "down there." This week, however, your baby will begin to develop either male or female genitalia. In layman terms, your baby is beginning to develop her hoo-ha or his wee-wee. While you won't be able to find out the gender of your baby for several more weeks, the version you'll give birth to is being developed right now.
At this stage, your developing fetus is 1-inch in length, about the size of a martini olive (you remember martinis, don't you?) and weighs a mere 2 grams—a little less than a penny.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
8 weeks
This week, your little tadpole is starting to look a little bit more human. Other exciting developments include:
Your baby's eyelids, ears, upper lip and the tip of his soon-to-be adorable button nose are forming.
Junior will also sprout webbed fingers and toes this week—which you'll be well aware of in a few months, as baby starts early gymnastics classes inside you.
Baby's tiny heart has separated into four distinct chambers and is really ticking now—at a rate of 150 beats per minute. That's more than twice your resting heart rate (even when Rob Pattinson is on the screen).
Our next scan is at 9 weeks still with the fertility specialist, and then at 11 weeks we switch over to the gynae at Genesis Clinic. http://www.genesisclinic.co.za/
I'm still very confused about which midwife to go with, dreamt about the one that I have done quite a bit of work with - all was great, she also consults from close by - we don't really want to travel miles for every consultation, even though Dr M is in Saxonwold. So I don't want 2 caregivers that are far away. Will pray about it. 'Til next week, will be doing a video update. Love, J & Mills xx
Friday, August 7, 2009
Telling the friends
So our family, most of Justin's friends and the church knows. Today I am telling my 'book club' friends and BN (a baby forum I've been chatting on for almost 3 years). Think they'll be really excited for us, and I'm really excited to tell them. Hopefully this blog will see more action after that cos they're the online type :D
xx
xx
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
7 weeks and so nauseous!
I haven't been vomiting or anything, but sometimes I think it may help. Incredibly nauseous for the majority of the day. I get relief sometimes between 5-6pm, long enough to cook dinner and pig out... then I feel sick again. LOL. Also rather tired and emotional. Justin's being really sweet and supportive. I'm sure my constant moaning is rather annoying.
Tomorrow is our first scan at 6 weeks 6 days.
So here is a 7 week update:
Your Pregnancy: Week 7
If you're one of the "lucky" pregnant women to experience morning sickness (a poorly named symptom of pregnancy as it can strike at any time of the day), remember that it won't last forever. Most of the wooziness tapers off by the second trimester. Of course, mental wooziness can affect you throughout your pregnancy, as you think of your growing to-do list, or wonder about how you're life will change, or worry if you'll know how to handle it all. Luckily, the cure for that wooziness is laying your eyes on your new baby.
Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...
What You're Thinking:
"How can I feel like I'm hung over all day long when I've had nothing to drink in three weeks?"
Your Body
You're supposed to be "eating for two" but instead, it's hard for you to swallow water. As a result, you're "praying to the porcelain god for two." Morning sickness can leave a pregnant chick exhausted, weak and wondering what on earth she got herself into. Don't throw in the towel just yet, here's how to cope:
There are a whole bunch of tricks that pregnant women swear help to reduce nausea caused by morning sickness ... such as sucking on lemon drops or any other hard candy.
Sometimes certain foods can help relieve the symptoms of morning sickness. Also, blaming your partner for everything has been known to comfort many women in the throes of nausea.
Even if you're experiencing frequent vomiting, try not to worry, as your baby needs very little nourishment this early in the pregnancy. Good thing, since all you've eaten today is two boxes of saltines.
If you're noticing weight loss or dehydration, you could have hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness that occurs very infrequently. Check with your doctor.
Your Baby
This week your baby's brain is growing at a mind-boggling 100 cells per minute within a see-through skull. If you could peer inside, you'd see those tiny brain cells growing and growing and growing (about as quickly as you feel like yours are shrinking and shrinking and shrinking with your "pregnancy brain"!). More high points include:
Your baby's face is becoming more defined this week. A tiny mouth hole (which will be ready to wail before you know it!), tongue, nostrils and ear indentations are visible. His or her eyes are wide open, but he doesn't have irises (the colored part) yet.
Baby's arm buds are growing. At this point they look more like microscopic ping-pong paddles than arms. Baby's leg buds are also forming and will look like tiny paddles by the end of the week.
The umbilical cord—the connection between your baby and the placenta—is now visible.
Your baby is now between 1/3 and 1/4 inch long—about the length of a Tic Tac and about as heavy as an eyelash. While that sounds tiny, he or she is approximately 10,000 times bigger than at conception. Crazy, huh?
Your Life
Keeping the cat in the bag for the next five weeks will be tough. But the relief of finally telling your coworkers that you're pregnant—and not gaining weight at an astounding rate—will be a total relief.
Begin to form a plan on how to tell your boss you're pregnant. (Hint: Tell your supervisor before you tell the office gossip!)
Talk to human resources so you can be sure of your benefits and legal rights as a pregnant employee.
Entertain in your home while the living room is still free of baby toys. If you're too zonked to cook, make it a potluck!
Take a moment to appreciate your clean upholstery. With years of parenting ahead, you might never see it this pristine again.
Tomorrow is our first scan at 6 weeks 6 days.
So here is a 7 week update:
Your Pregnancy: Week 7
If you're one of the "lucky" pregnant women to experience morning sickness (a poorly named symptom of pregnancy as it can strike at any time of the day), remember that it won't last forever. Most of the wooziness tapers off by the second trimester. Of course, mental wooziness can affect you throughout your pregnancy, as you think of your growing to-do list, or wonder about how you're life will change, or worry if you'll know how to handle it all. Luckily, the cure for that wooziness is laying your eyes on your new baby.
Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...
What You're Thinking:
"How can I feel like I'm hung over all day long when I've had nothing to drink in three weeks?"
Your Body
You're supposed to be "eating for two" but instead, it's hard for you to swallow water. As a result, you're "praying to the porcelain god for two." Morning sickness can leave a pregnant chick exhausted, weak and wondering what on earth she got herself into. Don't throw in the towel just yet, here's how to cope:
There are a whole bunch of tricks that pregnant women swear help to reduce nausea caused by morning sickness ... such as sucking on lemon drops or any other hard candy.
Sometimes certain foods can help relieve the symptoms of morning sickness. Also, blaming your partner for everything has been known to comfort many women in the throes of nausea.
Even if you're experiencing frequent vomiting, try not to worry, as your baby needs very little nourishment this early in the pregnancy. Good thing, since all you've eaten today is two boxes of saltines.
If you're noticing weight loss or dehydration, you could have hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness that occurs very infrequently. Check with your doctor.
Your Baby
This week your baby's brain is growing at a mind-boggling 100 cells per minute within a see-through skull. If you could peer inside, you'd see those tiny brain cells growing and growing and growing (about as quickly as you feel like yours are shrinking and shrinking and shrinking with your "pregnancy brain"!). More high points include:
Your baby's face is becoming more defined this week. A tiny mouth hole (which will be ready to wail before you know it!), tongue, nostrils and ear indentations are visible. His or her eyes are wide open, but he doesn't have irises (the colored part) yet.
Baby's arm buds are growing. At this point they look more like microscopic ping-pong paddles than arms. Baby's leg buds are also forming and will look like tiny paddles by the end of the week.
The umbilical cord—the connection between your baby and the placenta—is now visible.
Your baby is now between 1/3 and 1/4 inch long—about the length of a Tic Tac and about as heavy as an eyelash. While that sounds tiny, he or she is approximately 10,000 times bigger than at conception. Crazy, huh?
Your Life
Keeping the cat in the bag for the next five weeks will be tough. But the relief of finally telling your coworkers that you're pregnant—and not gaining weight at an astounding rate—will be a total relief.
Begin to form a plan on how to tell your boss you're pregnant. (Hint: Tell your supervisor before you tell the office gossip!)
Talk to human resources so you can be sure of your benefits and legal rights as a pregnant employee.
Entertain in your home while the living room is still free of baby toys. If you're too zonked to cook, make it a potluck!
Take a moment to appreciate your clean upholstery. With years of parenting ahead, you might never see it this pristine again.
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