12 Weeks...A little perspective

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is almost 2.5 inches and she now weighs between 8 and 14 grams! In just three weeks, your baby's size has more than doubled and begins to look alot more human. Even though you won't be able to feel your baby moving at this time, you can stimulate him and he will squint, open his mouth and move his fingers or toes.

By the end of this week, your uterus is too large to remain completely in your pelvis. You might be able to feel your uterus above your pubic bone. The uterus will continue to grow throughout your pregnancy and will return to its usual size within a few weeks after delivery. Before pregnancy, the uterus is almost solid and holds less than 0.3 ounces. During pregnancy, your uterus will become a thin-walled, muscular container that will hold the fetus, amniotic fluid and placenta. Before pregnancy, the uterus weighs approximately 2.5 ounces and when your baby is born, it will weigh almost 40 ounces!

Because most of the structures are already formed at this point, few will be formed after this time. The structures will continue to grow and develop throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. Your baby's skeletal system now has centers of bone formation in most of the bones. The digestive system is capable of making contractions that push food through the bowels and it is also able to absorb sugar. The pituitary gland is beginning to make hormones. You will probably be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a doppler at this time!

This week may be the first week that you begin to feel better! Morning sickness often tends to improve or diminsih at this time. You may begin to show slightly, especially if this is not your first pregnancy. You will feel more comfortable in loose clothing, such as maternity clothes. In addition to your tummy getting larger your breasts, hips, legs and sides may be getting bigger also.

Your baby develops reflexes and the skin is very sensitive. The brain is fully formed, and the child can feel pain. the baby may even suck his thumb. The eyelids now cover the eyes, and will remain shut until the seventh month to protect the delicate optical nerve fibers.

12 week picture

Ok, here is my 12 week pic. I don't think I'm as bloated as my 8 week. I found the trick...take it in the morning because my night is much bigger! No more morning sickness! *knock on wood* but I do have new symptoms...indigestion, heartburn, and NONSTOP burping (ewwww). Other than that...I'm doing ok. It's more exciting each day! I miss ya'll and hope you're all doing well =).

PS-I added a pic with my face because Mel asked and I love her =) Also, Molly is in it because she wouldn't get out and we thought it was cute!

12 Week Visit

We went to the dr. on Friday for the first time. I really didn't know what to expect, but in the end it was awesome!! They just did a regular exam and then when they tried to find the heartbeat, they couldn't. It was pretty scary because they were looking for about 5 minutes and no one warned me that it's still kind of early to hear the heartbeat through the doppler! That was the longest 5 minutes of my life...in fact, it was probably only 2 minutes. Honestly, it was the scariest silence I've ever heard. We were both pretty upset, but then they decided to do an ultrasound. We got to see baby...and yes, only one baby...HAHA. It was amazing. I never though I would cry, but I did. A lot. We could see the baby clearly on the screen. We could also see the flicker of the heartbeat and see the baby kick! The only regret is not getting a picture! I guess I didn't think to ask...I assumed it was understood. Plus, I was just so excited to know that everything is ok =).

One thing that they are worried about is my high blood pressure. I am on my medication still, and it's not too high...but they don't want it to spike or get any higher. I'm taking a couple more tests for baseline labs and then they need to have me go in every 3 weeks to make sure it doesn't turn into preeclampsia. *crosses fingers* So, we'll be back on April 4th. If we get another ultrasound, I'll ask for a pic this time =)

8 week picture

Ok, it's embarrassing to post this because I shouldn't be showing this much yet! Oh well...ya'll love me anyway =) I've only gained about 2 lbs. at this point but I was superbloated this day. Some days are horrible and it's like I need elastic! HAHA. Andrew likes it and thinks it's cute even though I know it's only bloat =) My 12 week pic should be up soon!

In the beginning (4 Weeks)...

I decided that I should start posting pics...Andrew wants belly pics each month, so here is my first one...I'll post my 8 week pic soon.

Here is me at 4 weeks. And no, I was not sticking out. Any tummy you see was there before. hehe. Nothing special...I should have taken off my jacket, but whatever.

Here they are...just in case you doubted me. hehe. I took 4. Yep, that's right...count them. Different brands too!

OB Registration

So we went to the hospital last Wednesday. Even though they told me I wouldn't see a dr., I was still hoping to get to hear the heartbeat or something. But no. We basically sat down with a nurse, went through all the basics, and then they took my blood. I guess it just still doesn't feel real yet. Once I hear the heartbeat, I'll feel a lot better. We go back on March 14th (next Friday) to get the first ultrasound. In the meantime, the morning sickness has gotten much worse! I'm just counting down the days until the second trimester. I hear it gets better...