Our baby now weighs about 3.5 lbs and measures about 18 inches in total. Our baby’s increasing size means that he has less room to move around in your uterus. At our last midwife appointment (which took place in my living room, thank you very much!), she thought the baby was for sure head down, and most likely posterior.
Our baby’s lungs are maturing and their lining, which prevents air sacs from collapsing, is growing. This lung development means that Baby C would have a much greater chance of survival if he were born prematurely. About 16 fluid ounces of blood are flowing through the wall of my uterus to the site of the placenta, though my blood never mixes with Baby C’s blood. It is separated by the placental barrier which is a very thin wall. Water, nutrients and waste are exchanged across this barrier at a rate of 0.3 fluid ounces per second. Our baby swallows amniotic fluid and urinates. Our baby’s ears are sufficiently developed to hear and recognize your voice, the voices of other family members as well as familiar musical tunes. I’m sure he knows a lot of nursery rhymes and is familiar with Laurie Berkner and Go Fish, who have been stuck in our CD player for weeks. I bet he loves all the hugs and pokes he gets from his big sisters.
Our baby is probably aware of your Braxton Hicks contractions, which you experience regularly, even when you do not notice them. By this time, our baby is very active and I feel its movements frequently. Our baby is still practicing breathing movements which have now become rhythmic. Sometimes he gets the hiccups –which Aviana and I both can feel–when he accidentally swallows amniotic fluid the wrong way. He is getting fatter and plumper. If we had another ultrasound, we could see your baby’s activities quite easily. Even ten weeks ago we could see him boppin’ around in there.
Our baby has periods of rest and periods of activity now. Our baby is most active when you are trying to rest.
The site I check for these updates had a post about “Staying Comfortable in Hot Weather”. As you can see, Iowa has yet to get that message. It’s May 21 and I am still in long sleeves for heaven’s sake!
Jessica I can relate to the cool weather. I am still wearing jeans, long sleeves and even a jacket when I go outside. I am 23+ weeks right now and I feel like it is never going to be the “summer” weather that I have been anticipating.
How exciting that you are going to have a home birth. I am totally not brave enough to do that as my other two kids have required inductions (late babies with no progression and no labor) but I think it is really cool.
I found you from Life In A Shoe, and was reading some of your earlier posts – boy can I relate to so much!!!!
I don’t think my parents were really okay with my midwife until after I had my second.
My inlaws think my boys being 18mo, almost 19mo apart is too close, and my father-in-law was just telling me how we should tell people “we are done for now” when they ask.
Well, I just found out that we are expecting our third with a spacing of 15.5mo! Guess who hasn’t been told the happy news? 😛
One thought on your daughter – I can’t find where it says how old she is. But my 2yo son needs consistancy so bad. If I give in on the 4th request he’s going to pester me a dozen times for the next thing to see if I’ll change my mind then, too. I *like* to give him things, so I have to be careful that I’m not giving him an answer I’m going to *want* to change in a minute or two!
Anyway, it was just a thought I had. 🙂
Blessings to you!
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Jonash2004
I love the montage of baby belly pics! Please keep us updated with Baby C news! When is your due date?
Congratulations! I didn’t know you were expecting…guess I found your blog after the announcement.
Well, I just hope you’re not planning on having a home birth…
(just kidding. couldn’t resist)
Look at you rockin’ the red!
You look fantastic!
-Andrea
I love the progression of your belly! Where did you take those/how did you get the weeks along the side! I want to do that with my next one!
I think it is so cool that your midwife came to your house. I would LOVE that with my next baby.
What great pics, I love seeing you during each stage! Glad to know all is going well with you and yours!
I enjoyed seeing the pics of your progression, you look great! I love that last one of you in RED!!! And that fun font….pharmacy, eh?
Aw shucks! Thanks guys!
Yay! for home births. Had 5–they all lived! haha
You will NOT regret it!