Week 21

Dear Sweet Pea,

Today I am 20 weeks along, so that means I'm halfway there! The next 10 weeks will supposedly be a time of major growth for both of us, so I'm anticipating an increased appetite during this time. I can expect to gain half of my total pregnancy weight during these weeks. At this point I've gained about 12 pounds! The top of my uterus is now in line with my belly button, which has made it flat. It will be an outie very soon!

At this point you weigh about 300g and are about 7 inches long from crown to rump (about the size of a small cantaloupe)! You're developing taste buds on your tongue, and your digestive system is developed enough to process water and sugar from the amniotic fluid. Your eyes are still sealed shut, but they should open in a month and a half or so. You still have enough room to move around a lot, and your kicks and punches are getting stronger all the time.

Here's the newest bump photo:

Detailed Ultrasound

Dear Sweet Pea,

Yesterday Daddy and I went for our detailed ultrasound. We were anticipating it big time because we knew lots of important measurements would be taken, vital organs would be examined, and we would find out if your growth is progressing normally. Great news: you look perfect! We were also really excited to find out if you are a boy or a girl. I know in my previous entry, I said that we'd only be telling immediate family, and that I wouldn't mention anything here. But, the technician was 99% sure, and the image on the screen was pretty obvious. So, we made the decision to tell everyone the news....you're a little boy! This came as somewhat of a surprise to both of us, because for the longest time, we were thinking you were a girl (especially me). Only in the last week or so, I began to really think that you were a boy. The night before the ultrasound, I had a dream that as soon as I walked into the exam room, I was told you were a boy, so I guess my gut did tell me! Anyway we are just thrilled and excited to buy you cute little boy clothes!

Here are the pictures of you we received; we especially like the one of your little feet!

Your Coming Home Outfit

Dear Sweet Pea,

It may still be months away from your big arrival, but I picked up your coming home outfit already! I found it at Superstore yesterday for $5 and I couldn't resist getting it for you. It was, however, hard to resist buying one in each size!

Hospital Tour

Dear Sweet Pea,

Yesterday evening, Daddy and I went for a tour of the labour/delivery and maternity wards of Burnaby Hospital. It was recommended that we do this at some point by our midwives, just to find out what we can expect when your birthday finally arrives! We were shown and told exactly where to check in depending on what time of day we arrive, where we should park, and what will happen when we arrive. We were shown one of the birthing suites which are actually quite large, and each one has its own bathroom with a large walk-in shower (easily big enough for two people). There are CD players in case we want to bring our own music, and I was assured that the lighting can be dimmed in the room (this is really important to me - I can't stand the thought of labouring in a room with bright florescent lights shining on me the whole time)!
Next we were taken to maternity, where I'll spend 2 days if I have a vaginal birth (fingers crossed!) or 3 days if a C-section is required. Time spent in the hospital could go up or down though, depending on how well (or not) baby and mom are doing. We were shown the differences between a ward room (3 moms), semi-private (2 moms) and private (1 mom) rooms. I am covered under Daddy's benefits for a semi-private room, but we may pay the small difference for a private room, if one is available. There would be a lot more space and privacy this way.

Its no secret that I'm not really looking forward to being in a hospital. This will be the first time I've stayed in one, and I just don't like the almost institutional feel, or the smell! At least the birthing suites have some color on the walls so its not stark white everywhere. The upside of course is that if there are any complications once I've been admitted, they can be dealt with right away. I do also like the fact that laughing gas is readily available in each birthing suite! It would just be nice to cuddle you in my own bed, get to eat my own food, and just be in a more comfortable environment. Hopefully Daddy will be more open to a home birth for your little brother or sister sometime down the road!

Week 20

Dear Sweet Pea,

Today I am 19 weeks along, and almost halfway there! By now you're probably finished that rapid growth spurt that occured in the last month or so, and resulted in me getting bigger very quickly! You're still about 6" long and weigh about 260g now. Your skin is thickening as the different layers begin to develop. You're covered in vernix, which will protect you from the amniotic fluid. You can now grip with your fists, and hair is beginning to grow on your scalp.

I am feeling well, now that I'm over the cold that I had since I posted last. There were a few days there where I really felt awful! I could really only take Tylenol which helped with the headaches and body aches, but didn't do anything for the congestion (which was on top of the regular pregnancy-stuffiness I've had)! People are definitely noticing my belly now, and aren't afraid to mention it!

On Monday we will be going for our detailed ultrasound. Luckily this time, its in the morning so I don't have to wait all day! The technician will be looking at all of your organs and taking lots of measurements to ensure you're growing and developing properly. This will also be our big chance to find out if you're a boy or a girl! Our fingers are crossed that you will be in a good position, and the tech will be willing to tell us. Daddy and I have decided that if we do find out, we will only be revealing the news to our parents and siblings(and our siblings' significant others). Gender determination at this point is really just a good guess, so we don't want to tell everyone that you're a boy or a girl, and then you turn out to be the opposite! For this reason, we won't be including your gender in this blog. You will be reading it as a book, but before that happens its all online for anyone to read.

One last bit of news is that we've decided on the prenatal/labour prep class we're going to take. Our midwives recommended the Childbearing Society to us. They are based in Vancouver and offer both evening classes (over 7 weeks) or a condensed weekend version. By signing up, I'll also get to take part in a breastfeeding class, nutrition classes, a few postpartum classes, and even a reunion class with all the other parents who are expecting around the same time as us. We'll probably do the weekend course in May so that it will be nice and fresh in our minds.

That's all for now!

Week 19

Dear Sweet Pea,

Today I'm 18 weeks along and starting the 5th month of my pregnancy! You are still growing like a weed, and Daddy comments that I am getting noticeably bigger every few days!

At this point you're up to 6" long and weigh about 200g. Your nervous system is developing rapidly; motor neurons are in place which means you can control your own movements now. Your ears are now in their proper position, and your small body is at birth proportions. Your little feet are just 1" long! By now you can hear my voice and distinguish it from other sounds and voices.

I can feel you moving all the time now, and the sensations are getting stronger (not just like tiny bubbles popping anymore). I'm sure before too long you'll be kicking me all the time!
I am in the middle of my first cold during pregnancy, generously given to me by your Daddy. There is very little I can take besides Tylenol, so I'm trying to take it easy and get lots of sleep (which is hard when your nose is all stuffed up). I am definitely feeling big, but thank goodness my favourite jeans still fit!

And now for a new bump pic...

Week 18

Dear Sweet Pea,

I am 17 weeks along today, and you are in the middle of a big growth spurt. This week you weigh about 150g and are around 5.5" long. You practice breathing by gulping down amniotic fluid, and you might even be sucking your thumb! You are becoming more sensitive and aware of the outside world. By now you can probably hear my heartbeat, and recognize my and Daddy's voices. You might be startled by loud noises, and would be able to see bright light, if only it was sunny outside these days!

By now my uterus is about the size of a cantaloupe, and you still have lots of room in there. I can easily feel the top of my uterus just below my navel. My belly seems to be getting bigger all the time, and I've now gained 5 or 6 pounds. I am still experiencing my fair share of insomnia, some fatigue, stuffy nose and lots of sneezing. And lets just say that my digestive system isn't working as efficiently as it once did, especially since my intestines are being compressed by the uterus. This makes it even harder for food to pass through all those twists and turns.

This morning we visited Beth, one of our midwives, and everything seems to be going well. They say all my symptoms are completely normal, and we got to hear your heartbeat again. It was about 150, so its gradually slowing down as expected.

Lastly, I finally got asked The Big Question yesterday: "are you pregnant?" It was a client of mine that I hadn't seen since February and yesterday was only the second time I've treated her. So its definitely becoming obvious now, but I still felt relieved (for her sake) that I am indeed expecting, and not just getting fat! I've also been told that I have the "pregnancy glow", which was nice to hear :)