20 Weeks - Halfway There!

Your pregnancy: 20 weeks

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. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) 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) also contains 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.


Halfway There! Yay!!

I can't believe it still. I know I've said that a million times and I'll honestly say it a million more. But it's crazy to think in just a few short months we'll be a family of five. That's crazy!! 

I'm still feeling pretty good for the most part. I definitely have my moments of being flat out exhausted but I think I'd feel that anyway with being in school and working and having young kids. So I'm not going to dwell on that. 

I passed my first glucose test! Yay! More good news. Except it was very close to not passing so I'll have to be more careful and hopefully I'll pass the next one that I'll take in about a month. 

I've only gained 6 pounds so far but I think I already look huge! I've never been one to take belly shots but maybe I'll throw one in here since I look so big already. 

Dommie continues to talk about his new baby sister, because he's absolutely convinced it's a girl. I kind of am thinking girl too but we're staying strong on not finding out! Annabelle loves to kiss my belly (and Dom's belly too now that I think about it!). But we're all very excited around here. 

This Thanksgiving we'll have so much to be thankful for!

20 weeks down and 20 to go! We can't wait to meet you Baby #3!!