22 Weeks with Baby #3!

 

 

How your baby's growing:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

How your life's changing:

At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It's perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you'd rather they didn't. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate.

What's important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits so she can make sure your baby's growth is on track. You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby.

At least half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.


Things are still going fine. Not great anymore but fine. Nick actually put me on his version of bedrest, which I have to admit is pretty awesome. I've been trying to do way too much. WAY too much. And he has cut me off. He made a good point. The last thing we need is for me to go on bedrest and not finish this 2nd semester of nursing school. So I'm listening and taking it easy. 

The main reason we were concerned is I got sick the other day (dizzy, nauseas, seeing spots) and I had my blood pressure checked and it was 142/90. I freaked out about pre-eclampsia. But I've been resting and my BP is down to 122/78 and the spots and nausea have gone away. Now I just need to continue to take it easy. And I see my doc on Tuesday so I'm sure everything will be fine. 

In the meantime, I'm worrying about work, classes and homework. That I can handle. Or at least attempt to handle. 

I'm still feeling this baby move all the time. This baby is a squirmer! And I love every movement. LOVE every movement. I'm still thinking it's a girl. But Nick is still sure it's a boy, so we'll see! We have two girl names picked out and no boy names so we'll see. If it's a boy, I'll be thrilled, of course, but this baby might not have a name for a few weeks! :) 

Well, I'm off to bed to get some more rest. 

Happy 22 weeks Baby!!