How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe. He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).
How your life's changing: Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.
How far along? 20w0d
Total weight gain/loss: +11 lbs will find out on Thursday
How big is the baby? Baby H is 6.5 inches and weighs about 10.5 ounces
Maternity clothes? yup!
Stretch marks? Not that I can see.
Sleep: Could definitely use more of it. I'm exhausted!
Sleep: Could definitely use more of it. I'm exhausted!
Best moment this week: We have a doctors appt on Thursday so seeing the baby and hearing the heart beat!
Food cravings: Steak and blue cheese
Food cravings: Steak and blue cheese
Gender: who knows!
Labor Signs: no thank god!
What I miss: nothing right now.
2 comments:
meconium?? What the "f" is that. Sounds yummy and mommy will feel the effect from it! Howz the heartburn treatin' ya?
I know doesn't meconium sound lovely! Mom is good and the heartburn is GREAT as in non-existent since I got my prescription!! YAHOO
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