Week 39

Holy cow we're at week 39! Baby Coady is somewhere between 18.9 and 20.9 inches in length and probably weighs between 6.2 and 9.2 pounds. Melissa is hoping that Lil' C is somewhere in the middle of that weight range! Baby C is readier to meet the world with every passing day (though we're still showing no signs of labor getting started). Patience is a virtue, another week of "cooking" would be just fine...especially since there are a few things that the parents-to-be should finish before the big day arrives. Starting projects a week or so before the due date is a great motivational tool!

Melissa continues to feel well, eat well, and rest well. She's even feeling a bit more energetic, though that could just be her increased excitement!

Week 38

Difficult to believe, but we're in week 38 of our pregnancy with only 2-ish weeks to go (though it could be as long as 4...fingers crossed we don't go that far past the estimated due date!). According to the average figures out there, Baby Coady probably weighs around 7 pounds, measures about 20 inches, and has "plumped" up a bit. Baby's organs have matured and are now ready for life outside the womb. If Baby C is born with blue eyes (most likely since Mom has blue/gray eyes and Dad has green eyes), it's a toss up as to whether or not they'll stay blue/gray or turn green/hazel.

Still no Braxton Hicks contractions to report, just some "relatively minor" swelling of the feet and ankles at the end of the day. Relatively minor is in quotes because that's how the OB referred to it. Melissa calls them cankles. The swelling is likely to disappear within (up to) a month of the baby's birth. Melissa should plan on packing her bag, to the extent practicable, soon (or get it started and make a list at the very least).

Other than the swelling, Melissa is feeling great. Good enough to feel confident in working up through the end of next week and looking at Friday, May 1 as the last pre-maternity leave day in the office. The fun didn't end with last night's meeting (in Auburn) and won't end with tonight's meeting (in Agawam). She has managed to schedule a couple more site visits (tomorrow in Belchertown, Saturday AM in Auburn) and will attend a MEPA consultation session in Raynham next week. None of these are solo and all are subject to reconsideration if anything relative to her health changes. Right now, she's just having fun with feeling so good and seeing the looks on peoples faces!

Week 37

Baby Coady has reached full term! Born any time after this point, Baby Coady would likely be fine and thrive. The average fetus measures 18.9 to 20.9 inches at this point and weighs in between 6.2 and 9.2 pounds. That explains why Momma doesn't have much room in either her belly or her bladder. Baby Coady will spend these last few weeks preparing for life outside the womb. This includes practicing all sorts of neat tricks, such as blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling...hiccupping...Little C is also developing meconium in his/her intestines.

Sleeping continues to be a bit uncomfortable, some nights more than others. The whole hydration battle is still on. Melissa is pretty sure she hits the bathroom at least once every hour or so during the day. Other "issues" that are becoming more noticeable include constant hoisting of britches, difficulty bending to put on socks and shoes, bumping into things with the giant belly. The whole end of the day swollen feet and ankles thing is kind of gross (and won't be missed).

Week 36

Baby Coady is now gaining about an ounce a day. Too bad Mom's stomach, but not appetite, is shrinking. Baby C is shedding most of the downy hair that covered his/her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected his/her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Baby C is also getting ready for birth since he/she is getting into a head down position. Speaking of birth, next week the baby will be considered full term.

Mom- and Dad-to-be are upping the pace of house readiness for the baby's arrival. The crib has been assembled (minus mattress and bedding since there will most likely be another dust-creating project very soon...moving the door to the baby's room in preparation for the major dust creating addition/renovations to come), some bedding (thanks Auntie Moe!) has been washed and is waiting to go, and the blankets, hooded towels, onesies, etc... are just looking unbearably cute.

This baby thing has turned into a really good motivational tool. Freecycle.org was our friend last week. It helped find homes for a bunch of items (e.g. blankets, curtains, throw pillows) that have been living in our basement and taking up valuable storage space for years now. Some furniture has been shifted around the house and a few pieces are finding new homes (either temporary or permanent) outside our house.

Melissa took the baby to Church for Palm Sunday today (Russian Orthodox Easter is next weekend...this year). Baby Coady is going to have lots of surrogate grandmothers and aunts, one of whom has a particularly good sense of humor. She overheard someone asking if we knew whether we were having a boy or a girl. She chimed in with "if it's not a boy, I can guarantee it's a girl." Standing in Church all morning definitely took more energy than expected. Melissa arrived home, to be followed by Dan about 5 minutes later. Dan was pretty chilled and tired after a long, windy, cold ride. It all created the perfect setting for a family nap. Dan, Melissa, Scarlett, Itty...and Baby Coady, of course. We probably sacked out for an hour or more. Life is good.

Week 35

Baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now. Average length is over/around 18 inches and weight is somewhere around 5.25 pounds. Kidneys are fully developed by this point and the liver can process some waste products. Since most of the basic physical development is now complete, baby will spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Mom is definitely feeling the lack of space for baby to move around, but all is well. Baby is especially fond of jamming his/her bum under Mom's ribcage while she's driving. Oh well. Mom is also realizing that she and Dad need to work out the birth plan and get a bag ready for the hospital in the next couple weeks. It would probably be a good idea for Mom to clear stuff (furniture, books) out of the "nursery" so the crib and changing table can be set up. Perhaps the door will be moved (to accommodate future renovation plans) first to avoid contaminating the baby gear with drywall dust. I'm sure we'll get to that before the baby is born...

At this point, the appointments with the OB go from every two weeks to every week (and Mom's trip to the bathroom are at a rate of something like once per hour during waking hours...does that count as exercise?).

Week 34

The baby now weighs about 4.75 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. Baby's fat layers — which will help regulate body temperature after birth — are filling him/her out, making baby rounder. Baby's skin is also smoother than ever. The central nervous system is maturing and baby's lungs are continuing to mature as well.

I've had no signs of preterm, but babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Other general updates include that we've met and selected a pediatrician who we both liked and felt comfortable with and whose office is close to home (less than 2 miles!). Dr. Sue was recommended extremely highly by a couple of my coworkers who are recent mothers. I'm grateful we didn't have to interview multiple doctors. We'll also be submitting our hospital admission paperwork at the OB's office this Friday (ok, that's tomorrow...yikes!) along with paperwork so the baby can be added to our health insurance immediately.

Aside from some mild discomfort sleeping, I still don't have any real complaints. This has been wonderful and as much as I'm anxious about the fact that we've only got about 6 weeks to go, I'm excited to finally meet the little person who has been growing inside me.

Week 33

If the general guidelines are reasonably accurate, Baby Coady is roughly 17.2 to 18.7 inches long and weighing in between 4.2 and 5.8 pounds. Mom and baby are right on track for the rate of third trimester weight gain (roughly 1 pound per week).

The baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and the brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, Baby will be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, Baby's bones are hardening (Mom is making sure to get calcium through her diet in addition to pre-natal vitamins), and Baby has started to keep his/her eyes open when he/she is awake.

Week 32

By now, the baby weighs between 3.75 and 4 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, and is taking up a lot of space in my uterus. On average, women at this stage of pregnancy gain about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to the baby (Too bad I don't weigh myself at home. The doctors office takes care of that every other week now). In fact, the baby will gain a third to half of their birth weight during the next 7 weeks as baby fattens up for survival outside the womb. Baby now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Baby's skin is also becoming soft and smooth as baby plumps up in preparation for birth.

Week 31

This week, baby measures over 16 inches long, weighs about 3.3 pounds, and is heading into a growth spurt. Baby can turn its head from side to side, and its arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath the skin. Baby is moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Things are beginning to get tight in there, and heartburn and indigestion are common. You may have developed the pregnant "waddle"—that happens because pregnancy softens the ligaments in your pelvis, allowing your hips to spread to make room for the baby. Don't worry, you won't walk like a duck forever!

Baby is very active, so we can only assume that space is getting tight. It isn't the activity that's keeping me from sleeping through the night, it's the fact that I get uncomfortable sleeping on one side or the other. I'm a belly sleeper and I really miss that position! Fortunately, I haven't had to cope with heartburn or indigestion. I have noticed that my scrunched stomach can't take as much food at a time as before. Oh well. At least work provides (usually) fresh fruit. This week's grapes were delicious!

Week 30

The little one is about three pounds and nearly 11 inches long (crown to rump; about 15.7 inches long overall). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds baby, but that volume will decrease as he/she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus.

Baby's face looks much like it will at birth, but still needs to fill out more to get the characteristic chubby infant cheeks. Baby can move their head, open their eyes, and make breathing movements through their open nostrils (although no air comes in).

Baby's eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he/she is born, he/she will keep their eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he/she does open them, he/she will respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he/she can only make out objects a few inches from his/her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Week 29

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and the head is growing bigger to make room for the developing brain. To meet baby's increasing nutritional demands, Mom will need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because baby's bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Week 28

Two trimesters down, one to go!

By this week, baby weighs around two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures roughly 14.8 inches from the top of their head to their heels (Melissa is measuring between 27 and 28 cm, right on track).Baby can blink their eyes, which now sport lashes. With their eyesight developing, they may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. They're also developing billions of neurons in their brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Visits to our doctor will now increase in frequency from once a month to every two weeks, with weekly visits during the final month.

Week 27

Welcome to the final week of the second trimester!

Baby's now the size of an eggplant. The average fetus measures between 13.6 and 14.8 inches in length and weighs in between 1.5 and 2.2 pounds (yikes!).

Baby's lungs are going through some major developments these days, which (combined with the opening of previously plugged nostrils) means that baby is now able to practice inhaling and exhaling. The lack of air in the womb means that every "breath" is filled with amniotic fluid, but hey...it's progress. Baby is sleeping and waking at regular intervals, as well as opening and closing their eyes and perhaps even sucking its fingers. Brain tissue also continues to develop, leading to a very active brain right now.

Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

I'm supposed to let Dan put an ear to my belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required)...we'll see how that goes! Also, any tiny rhythmic movements I may be feeling can be attributed to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Maybe that's what I'm feeling right now...

Week 24

Baby is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts baby at just over a pound. Since he/she is almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he/sh cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his/her body is filling out proportionally and he'll/she'll soon start to plump up. His/her brain is also growing quickly now, and taste buds are continuing to develop. Lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help the air sacs inflate once he/she hits the outside world. Skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Week 23

The average fetus measures between 10.5 and 11.8 inches (think of a papaya) by this time and weighs in between 12.7 and 20.8 ounces (ours was estimated at 14 ounces on 12/26...but we have no idea how the ultrasound tech arrived at that conclusion).

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With baby's sense of movement well developed by now, they can feel you dance. And now that baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see baby squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in baby's lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. Baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing them for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze them when they hear them outside the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing.

Baby's little face is fully formed, minus the baby fat. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby is starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

Week 22

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Their lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and they're even developing tiny tooth buds beneath their gums. Their eyes have formed, but the 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 their body and the deep wrinkles on its skin, which they'll sport until they add a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside their belly, the pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Week 21

The average fetus is 10.5 inches long and 12.7 ounces.
Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch. You may soon feel like "she's" practicing martial arts as "her" initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to "her" activity as you get to know "her" better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Week 20

Weighing in somewhere around 10.5 ounces, baby is about 6.5 inches now head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel. Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

Week 19

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Week 18

Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel her movements.

Average fetus is 5 to 6 inches. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, although he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.