Hi! It's us again :o)
 
Just had a doctor visit yesterday and got to hear baby's heartbeat again (swooshswooshswoosh!!!) Everything is going according to schedule, and the only "problem" I'm having right now is a wonderful case of persistent heartburn. Better some days, worse others, but manageable at this point, thank goodness. We have a second ultrasound scheduled for August 2nd in order to double check a few things, particularly the heart, but I'm comfortable that everything seems just fine from the first ultrasound. And no, we're still not finding out if it's a boy or a girl. It's a baby, and we'll keep it, regardless ;o)  Gerry says, "No, we're not letting anybody else find out either!"  I've had 2 boy dreams and 2 girl dreams, so I'm not much help either, heheh. 
 
OK, here's this week's baby updates:
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOU
 
What exactly are Braxton Hicks contractions? After the 20th week, some women experience a strange sensation -- a tightening of the uterus, that typically lasts 30 seconds to two minutes. If this is your second child, you are more likely to experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which prepare your uterus for the real thing. The good news? While annoying at times, Braxton Hicks contractions may lead to effacement and dilation, which could mean a shorter labor for you!
 
WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR BABY

Your Baby's Development: Month Six

At the end of the sixth month, the fetus will be about 11 to 14 inches and weight in at one to two pounds. The eyes now begin to open and are sensitive to light. The baby's finger and toe prints can now be seen. The skin is wrinkled, red, thicker and covered with fine hair, called lanugo. The vernix has developed, which is a waxy coating that protects the baby's skin. The lungs continue developing and the baby breathes by inhaling amniotic fluid. The lungs are not mature enough to breathe air on their own, but if born now, the baby might survive with intensive care.
 
WEIGHT GAIN
 
The mother's weight gain affects the baby's birth weight (low birth weight is linked to mental and physical disabilities). Good nutrition and weight gain are keys to having a healthy baby. But how much should you gain?

The weight you'll gain during your pregnancy is not just the weight of the baby inside you. It's the weight from extra blood and fluids, from the placenta, from the uterus enlarging and from fat in the breasts, a stock of extra calories for breast-feeding.

Doctors have come up with a good average range for how much weight women should gain during their pregnancy. Referred to as the "ideal weight" for pregnancy, it breaks down like this:

  • Underweight women should gain 28 to 40 pounds
  • Women of average weight should gain 25 to 35 pounds
  • Overweight women should gain 15 to 25 pounds
Gradual Weight Gain
More important than how much weight you gain, is how you gain it. You should gain weight gradually and regularly. Only about 3 or 4 pounds in the first trimester, then about 1 pound each week during the second and third trimesters.

Stay active and eat well; maintain a low-impact exercise routine, such as swimming or walking. Exercising while you're pregnant makes it easier to lose weight after your baby is born.

If you're very active or have a fast metabolism, increase your caloric intake. Dieticians are perfect for this kind of planning. Another tip: slow down. Take more time eating, sleeping, walking, etc. Remember, weight is just a number, and now is certainly not the time to keep weight off, or lose it.

THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
 
9

Suggested reading: Soul Trek: Meeting Our Children on the Way to Birth, Elisabeth Hallett.
10

Baby is taking iron and calcium from you. You need 18 mg of iron and 2 gm of calcium daily. Try Cheerios and skim milk. Suggested viewing: Denise Austin - Pregnancy Plus Workout
11

Baby can hear mother's heartbeat and stomach.
12

Rapid eye movements begin. If you are having trouble sleeping, try a new position.
13

Baby is better proportioned. Start thinking about child-proofing your home.
14

22 wks gestation
24 wks from Last Menstrual Period
Length: 21 cm crown to rump (29 cm or 11 1/4 inches head to toe). Weight: 630 gm.
15

Your care provider may do a cervical check to assess for risk of preterm labor.
 


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