Pregnancy at 22 Weeks

Posted on May 9, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 22 Weeks

Baby continues to grow and this is what is happening:

He is about 11 inches from head to toe and now weighs in at around 1 pound.
He is beginning to look like a tiny little newborn with lips, eyelids and eyebrows.
He has fine hair.
He looks wrinkled because he has not developed fat tissue yet.

You feel yourself getting larger especially your tummy.

Pregnancy keeps changing how you are feeling?

People tend to touch your belly if you don’t like this tell them.
Others will ask you how far along you are and will comment on how you look, bigger or smaller than you should at 22 weeks.
Pay no attention since everyone is different.
Stretch marks may begin to appear on your tummy, buttocks, thighs, hips and breast.
Lotion is not proven to help and many stretch marks disappear after you get back you pre-pregnancy body.
See your practitioner on a regular basis to make sure all is okay.

Other things are changing too:

Your hair is getting thicker.
Your fingernails are growing faster.
Your nipples may be getting darker.
Your feet may increase in size.
Your rings may start to get snug, you may want to take them off now and wear your wedding band around your neck.

“I kept a journal for my son while I was pregnant, and I brought it to the hospital with me so I could write in it as soon as I was up to it. It really helped to share all the feelings I was having.”

Your pregnancy: 22 weeks | BabyCenter

Pregnancy at 21 Weeks

Posted on May 2, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 21 Weeks

Wow…your baby is really growing and weighs in at around 3/4 of a pound and is now 10 1/2 inches long…the size of a carrot.

His kicks and movements are felt more at this point and a pattern of wakefulness may be experienced by you.

Your life now at 21 weeks pregnant:

You are probably feeling pretty good now so enjoy this time
If you have acne, increased oil production in your skin may exacerbate your break-outs. Wash with a gentle soap and check with your doctor before taking any oral acne meds as some can be hazardous during pregnancy. Even check with your doctor about topical products as well.
Varicose veins can appear now due to increasing pressure on your veins and increased progesterone levels. This can be hereditary so if other family members have varicose veins you may develop them also. Minimizing them … suggestions include, daily exercise, elevating your feet and legs whenever it is possible and sleeping on your left side…maternity support hose is also recommended.
Spider veins may appear also, these are not varicose veins, they do not cause discomfort and may actually disappear after your delivery.

Your baby preparation:

Start your baby registry
Suggestions: do not register for clothes, you will get clothing, friends and family love to buy these cutie things, do ask for big ticket items because friends and families like to join in on these gifts rather than clothes because they know you will need these things.

Is sex ever off-limits during pregnancy?
You’ll need to abstain if you have any of the following conditions or symptoms:

placenta previa
premature labor
vaginal bleeding
abdominal cramping
cervical insufficiency
a dilated cervix
your water has broken

You’ll also need to abstain if you or your partner has an outbreak of genital herpes or feel one coming on. Avoid intercourse and other genital contact for the entire third trimester if your partner has a history of genital herpes (and you don’t), even if he has no sores or symptoms. The same applies to receiving oral sex if he has oral herpes (cold sores). Finally, don’t have sex if you or your partner has any other sexually transmitted infection unless you’ve both been treated and follow-up testing was negative.

There are other situations in which your healthcare practitioner may advise you not to have sex.

via Your pregnancy: 21 weeks | BabyCenter

How I Found Out…

Posted on April 28, 2015 by llpitlwp

How I Found Out…

As many of you already know, my younger daughter, Adrienne is pregnant, expecting her first child. Our family is very excited to be welcoming another grandchild. In addition, I am overjoyed to welcome Adrienne to Parenting in the Loop. She will be writing about pregnancy and other topics as time goes on. Here is her first post!

I flew to Chicago with my husband on Christmas day. We were there to visit my family and attend a wedding of a good friend of mine from high school.

My husband, Rich, and I got a hotel room where the venue was held in the city. We went to bed late after the festivities and got into an argument… about what? I couldn’t tell you. That’s how important arguments are sometimes.

The next morning, we woke up on the earlier side. I needed to get back to the burbs for an MRI on my knee and hip for an injury and pain that hadn’t subsided for about six months. I had gotten very little sleep because I had to get up numerous times to pee in the middle of the night. I thought it was just from all of the water I consumed to avoid getting a migraine. Anyway, we drove back to the burbs and I dropped Rich off at my parents’ and headed off to the MRI with my mom.

After checking in and changing into a gown, I left my mom in the waiting room while I followed the tech. Before starting, I told the tech that I had not been on any birth control and that it would be the smallest chance ever that I would be pregnant. She insisted that I take a test and I agreed to put both of our minds at ease. So I proceeded to the nearest bathroom to pee on a stick.

I thought nothing of it as I sat back on the table and waited. I watched as the tech handled my test. She waited and then she walked away with it. That’s when I knew. I definitely had an “Oh shit” moment. That was when “I found out“.

The tech came over to me and told me there was a faint line but that it kept getting darker and that I was pregnant. She was very careful with her words because she wasn’t sure how I was going to respond. I told her that I had just gotten married in October and was happy. She seemed relieved and immediately ushered me out of the room and back to my mom. My mom glanced up from her magazine and as soon as she saw me I knew that I didn’t even have to say anything by the look on her face.

Excited with the results of my visit and somewhat relieved that I shared the experience with the tech instead of waiting for what seems like the longest three minutes in the world, my mom and I headed home. On the way, I called my dad to tell him so that he would hear what I found out from me first. He was super happy!

When we returned home, Rich was confused as to why I was back so soon. I took him into the guest room and told him privately. You never know how a man is going to react. He was so happy that he cried.

I never thought that the easiest part of pregnancy was going to be actually getting pregnant. I was on the cusp of turning 34 in January and have been underweight my whole life. I also never imagined that my happiness would soon turn into fear and heightened anxiety…after I found out.

Pregnancy at 20 weeks

Posted on April 24, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 20 Weeks

Yes! You are halfway through your pregnancy this week…and…

You have gained about 10 pounds.
You can feel the top of your uterus at the level of your belly button.
Be careful to get enough nourishment which includes foods with iron.
Iron helps your body keep up with your increased blood volume.
Foods with iron…red meat, dark meat poultry, legumes, soy based foods, spinach, prune juice, raisins and iron fortified cereals.
Time to start looking for childbirth classes-ask your friends or take recommendations from your practitioner.

What about your baby…he is growing, growing and …

Baby at 20 Weeks

He is approximately the size of a banana.
He is 10 1/2 ounces in weight.
He is 6 1/2 from head to butt or 10 inches head to toe.
He is swallowing and also producing meconium ( a black, gooey product of digestion).
Meconium will be his first stool, some babies pass meconium in utero or during delivery.

“I found it so much easier to sleep on my side when I hugged a pillow and wrapped my legs around it. In fact, two years after the birth of my child, it’s still my favorite way to fall asleep.”
– Clara

Your pregnancy: 20 weeks | BabyCenter.

“Oh But For a Good Night’s Sleep”

You might start snoring for the first time which is due to more estrogen and the swelling of the mucous membranes in your nose.

Remedy suggestion for snoring: Sleep on your side and elevate your head slightly.

Heartburn and indigestion may become an annoyance and make it uncomfortable to lie down.

Remedy: Avoid foods that bother you, eat two to three hours before going to bed and sleep slightly elevated with some extra pillows.

Leg cramps can literally be a pain which comes out of no where when you are sleeping.

Remedy suggestion: get out of bed and stand up or walk around a bit.

Just plain uncomfortable in bed these days…no comfortable position?

Remedy suggestion: Use some extra pillows between your legs or supporting your belly while sleeping on your side…you might even try a maternity contour pillow.

Feeling hot and sweaty during the night is not uncommon due to a shift in your metabolism, hormones and weight. Waking up soaking wet is one of my most vivid memories of pregnancy. My husband slept with a blanket and I slept with a fan blowing on me.

Remedy for hot and sweaty nights: Your bedroom should be cool and wearing sleepwear that is natural and made with breathable fiber, cotton is great but synthetics are not.

My friend and well-known blogger, Jessica Shyba at Momma’s Gone City, writes about some great, comfy sleepwear and other great things from one of her mom favorites Belabumbum. Jessica has four kids and a lot of great posts about family and fashion among other topics. Right now, if you click over to Mommas Gone City you will get a savings code for Belabumbum until Mother’s Day!

Pregnancy is a very special time that I am happy to be sharing with my younger daughter. She will be writing a post here next week…

Your pregnancy at 19 weeks

Posted on April 15, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 19 Weeks

Baby at Nineteen Weeks Gestation

Pregnancy at nineteen weeks and how your baby’s growing

Sensory development continues, your baby’s brain is specializing.
Taste, smell, hearing, vision and touch are developing.
It is time to talk and read to your baby and play your favorite music as well.
Baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and is about 6 inches long from head to rump.
Vernix caseosa is appearing on his skin to protect him from the amniotic fluid
Hair is also growing now.

Your life is changing too:

You may notice that you will be growing faster in the next weeks to come. This may produce some achiness brought on by your round ligaments which support your uterus and its increasing weight and size. If you have pain that continues when you are resting or if it becomes severe consult with your practitioner.

Skin changes:

Palms of hands may become red from extra estrogen
Darkened skin patches (chloasma) may appear on your upper lip, cheeks and forehead (mask of pregnancy). This is caused by increased pigment in your skin which is temporary.
Protect yourself from the sun, which will increase the pigment changes, use sunscreen as well.

“I wasn’t sure if I could feel my baby moving, so a friend suggested I lie down for a while. After a few minutes, I started feeling a butterfly sensation in my lower abdomen. It was amazing!

– Linda B.

via Your pregnancy: 19 weeks | BabyCenter.

I can’t believe that we will be welcoming a new grandchild in the next 20 weeks or so. A new little one to love and cherish in our family. Those little feet and hands and those baby sounds and smells are just so precious. Waiting for a new baby…

Pregnancy at 18 weeks

Posted on April 10, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 18 Weeks

Mom-to-Be:

You may find that you are more hungry now during pregnancy…choose foods that are nutritious to snack on so that you are not gaining too much weight from sugary or salty favorites.

Larger clothes may be more comfortable as your waistline changes. In addition your cardiovascular system is changing dramatically to accommodate your growing fetus. Your blood pressure may be lower so try not to get up to fast from lying or sitting down as you might feel dizzy.

It will be better for you and baby to lie on you side when reclining or be at least tilted to one side. In a flat lying position your uterus can compress a major vein leading to decrease in the blood return to your heart. A pillow placed behind your or under one hip may help with positioning.

It might soon be time for a second trimester ultrasound to see how your baby is developing. They will check the placenta and umbilical cord and your baby may be sucking his thumb at this viewing.

“If you’re finding it hard to get through the afternoon at work without a little nap, find a place you can escape for 15 to 20 minutes (close your office door, use a conference room, even sit in your car). Bring a small travel alarm clock and set it for 15 minutes.”

– Laura

via Your pregnancy: 18 weeks | BabyCenter.

Baby growth:

Your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long
He weighs around 7 ounces…and is the size of a bell pepper
He is very busy exercising in utero and you will be feeling his movements more and more
Blood vessels are able to be seen through his skin at this stage of pregnancy
If you are having a girl the uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place, if you are having a boy, his genitals are visible although he may hide them on ultrasound
His ears are in place now and myelin is starting to protect his nerves

Mom’s Fitness:

If you are healthy and your pregnancy is normal you can continue to exercise, making modifications for your growing belly. Moderate exercise avoiding jarring motions, sudden changes of position and lying on your back should be okay. But always check with your healthcare provider.

If you have not been exercising you might want to begin gently with short periods, a few times per week. Walking is a good place to begin, many women enjoy swimming or yoga. Remember to check with your caregiver first.

Kegel Exercises and their importance during pregnancy:

What are Kegels?

Kegels are exercises that strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor — the ones that support your urethra, bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. Kegels help prevent urine leaks during and after pregnancy and may even help you in the second stage of labor. What’s more, Kegels increase circulation to your rectal and vaginal area, so they may help keep hemorrhoids at bay and speed healing after childbirth if you receive stitches.

Here’s how to do them:

Tighten the muscles around your vagina as if trying to interrupt the flow of urine when going to the bathroom. Use a “squeeze and lift” technique, working only your pelvic floor muscles while keeping your abdominal and leg muscles relaxed. And be sure not to hold your breath.
Hold for about eight to ten seconds, then release. Do them in sets of ten, and try to work up to three or four sets a day.
via Baby Center

Your pregnancy is almost half over and baby is developing steadily. Second trimester is a great time to get things done as you should be feeling pretty good.

I am so happy to have had a little vacation with my daughter this past week. She is more relaxed during the past few weeks of pregnancy. I am lucky to enjoy this time with her.

Pregnancy at 17 weeks

Posted on April 1, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 17 Weeks

Baby is the Size of a Turnip

Your baby’s skeleton is changing now to bone from soft cartilage
the umbilical cord is stronger as well as thicker
he or she weighs in at about 5 ounces and is about 5 inches long
baby is moving all his/her joints

So many changes…

How is your life moving along at this stage of pregnancy?

believe it or not your center of gravity is changing because your belly is growing
you may be a little unsteady on your feet
try to avoid situations where you could fall, wear low heeled shoes
a fall could hurt your belly and be dangerous for you and your baby
your seat belt needs to be belted under your growing belly
your eyes may feel dry, over the counter lubricating eyedrops may help
contact lens wearers may have to limit their number of hours of wear.
you may even want to switch to your glasses while pregnant

“I made a simple chart of the basic food groups and posted it on the refrigerator. At the end of the day, I checked off what I had eaten. Then, for my bedtime snack, I tried to pick something that would fulfill whatever category was lacking — yogurt (or a bowl of ice cream!) if I needed more dairy, for example, or an orange if I needed more fruit.”

– Anna

Dream activity during pregnancy may heighten due to high emotions that may very well range from joy to apprehension on any given day. Pregnant women are known for having shorter REM sleep which is the cycle in which dreams occur but because you may wake up during a dream the memory of the dream is more vivid.

This week’s activity
Start a baby name list. Make a list of ten names you like. Have your partner do the same. Trade lists and each cross out one name on the other’s list that you dislike. Keep taking turns until you have a set of names you can both live with. Talk about why you like and dislike certain names. Many couples even create ground rules, such as no names of former girlfriends or boyfriends and no names that have ever been used for family pets.

via Your pregnancy: 17 weeks | BabyCenter.

As the weeks go by our family anxiously awaits our new little grandbaby. For me, I find myself remembering what it was like being pregnant in the 80’s when there was not all this information available about the growing fetus. Moms communicated with each other on the telephone which was in my case tethered to a very long spiral cord so I could multi-task around my kitchen and watch my 1 year old daughter.

I could not shop online or do too many comparisons when it came to baby gear but I was no slouch when it came to shopping for baby clothes in person whenever I could. I remember one of my favorite shops in Florida, where we were living at the time, was the “Purple Turtle” in Palm Beach. It was a always a treat to stop by and see their beautiful items…it was a shop where many grandparents shopped for their grandkids and now I am that grandparent.

Pregnancy generates many memories and now it is my joy to make new memories by remembering the past but enjoying the present.

Pregnancy at 16 Weeks

Posted on March 27, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 16 Weeks

How your baby’s growing

Your baby is the size of an avocado about 4 1/2 inches long and 3 1/2 ounces.

his head is more erect
legs are more developed
his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head
ears are closer to their final position
scalp patterning has begun
toenails are starting to appear
his heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood each day

Life and pregnancy:

the top of your uterus is halfway between pubic bone and your navel
your round ligaments are thickening and stretching as your uterus grows
there is probably less nausea, few mood swings and glowing skin
overall there is a sense of “well-being”
soon you will be feeling your baby’s movement
you may feel the movement between 16 and 18 weeks but maybe not until 20 weeks
the early movements might feel like gas bubbles or little flutters

You probably will gain about 12 to 14 pounds this trimester, with a total gain of 25 to 35 pounds if you began pregnancy at your average weight. Follow the guidelines of your caregiver.

As a couple you might want to plan a romantic getaway because we all know how hard it will be for you to both getaway for even a weekend alone once your baby arrives. By your third trimester, the time might be flying so fast and you might not feel like going away or you might not even feel too romantic. Even planning a stay-cation might be just what you need during the second trimester.

via Your pregnancy: 16 weeks | BabyCenter.

Pregnancy: 15 weeks

Posted on March 21, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 15 Weeks:

I am excited this week because my daughter is expecting our second grandchild. As a maternal child nurse, I was always in awe of the miracle of life.

Thirty plus years ago, we did not have all the ultrasound pictures that new parents-to-be have today but the miraculous changes and the sound of the fetal heartbeat thrilled me just the same as it does now. I particularly love the “fruit” comparison when it comes to the size of the fetus…it makes it all so real in terms of how small and tiny a being is developing right from the beginning of conception. It also amazes me how such a tiny being can physically affect a mom-to-be so soon after conception.

Journey with me and my daughter through the 15th week of gestation.

So much is now going on with your baby. He is around 4 inches from his head to his rump and he weighs all of 2 1/2 ounces. He is the size of an apple!

Here is what is happening with your baby:

amniotic fluid is moving through his nose and respiratory track
legs are growing longer than his arms
there is movement in all of his joints and limbs
his eyelids are still fused but baby can sense light
taste buds are forming
you might be able to see if your baby is a girl or boy if you have an ultrasound this week, although he will have to cooperate and not be curled up hiding his identifying parts from you

What is happening in your life:

you have probably gained about 5 pounds
you may be experiencing a stuffed up nose, “rhinitis of pregnancy”…and yes, this could be from hormonal changes and increased blood flow to you mucous membranes
if you are having an amnio then it might be done between now and 18 weeks
the first trimester is over and you may be feeling overall better, that is a good thing, so enjoy yourself with your significant other

Things for you to do:

Bonding with your baby can begin very early in your pregnancy because of ultrasounds so now, believe it or not you can you can begin to “talk” to your baby. Read a book to your baby and share some of your secrets with him. You might even want to start a blog to keep your family members up on your progress. When your baby is born he will know you better if you play music and talk to him while he is in utero.

via Your pregnancy: 15 weeks | BabyCenter.

Pregnancy at 14 weeks

Posted on March 14, 2015 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy at 14 weeks:

Your Baby is the Size of a Lemon

Here is what your baby can do this week:

squint, frown, make faces, pee, and maybe even suck his thumb
he has brain impulses that are developing which allow him to make faces with his facial muscles…isn’t this incredible?
his little kidneys are making urine, he is actually making urine which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him
he may even suck his thumb because now he can grasp…WOW!
he is the size of a lemon and measures a whole 3 1/2 inches
his body is more in proportion now but his legs have a little catching up to do yet
ultra-fine hair called lanugo is beginning to cover his entire body
his liver starts to make bile, and his spleen starts helping him to make red blood cells

This is an exciting week and the beginning of the second trimester of your pregnancy!

It is true, your life is changing but it can be more than manageable, here are some links at my favorite site for moms and babies.

Your food diary
Secrets of maternity dressing
The basics of good sleep
Great pregnancy exercise: Swimming

Here is what you can expect now that you are in the second trimester.

your energy is possibly returning
your breasts may not hurt as much
nausea and morning sickness may subside
you may be starting to show, with a little tummy

A little worry is not uncommon, but try to focus on taking care of yourself.

Baby at 14 Weeks Gestation

Boy or Girl?
Decision Guide: Should you find out the sex of your baby?
Boy, girl — or big surprise? Sixty-four percent of mothers-to-be in a BabyCenter poll said they wanted to find out the sex of their baby ahead of time, while the rest preferred to wait. “We decided that the surprise of ‘it’s a boy!’ or ‘it’s a girl!’ is the same surprise at 5 months as it is at the birth,” said Jessica. Michael disagreed: “I think the old-fashioned way is the best. Finding out before birth is like opening your Christmas presents before Christmas!” If you’re still on the fence, here’s a look at the pros and cons of each side. A word of caution: If you want to keep your baby’s sex a secret, let your provider and the ultrasound technician know right away so they don’t inadvertently blurt it out in the middle of an ultrasound exam or while reviewing your test results.

via Your pregnancy: 14 weeks | BabyCenter.

I am so excited by this series of articles because we are expecting our second grandchild! Baby Center is a wonderful resource for moms and dads to be.