Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker

Hmmm... when's this little guy going to join us???

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Week 16

Hello everyone! I can't believe I'm 16 weeks already (check the recently posted blog below for new belly photos). I have a midwife's visit this week, so that should be good. Then our ultrasound is in less than 3 weeks! Someone asked me why we've chosen to get only one ultrasound. Well... (segments taken from "Well Adjusted Babies" by Dr. Floreani)

Ultrasounds carry with them inherent side-effects and dangers. Many people say the risks are minimal and perhaps this is true, but the reality is that no one can definitely say what the effects of ultrasound are for a developing baby. The level of safety and efficacy of ultrasound has long been debated, although it seems to me that women are not made aware of this. They simply assume that ultrasounds are completely safe. I thought so until I did some reading on the subject. The World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine have issued statements that "women should NOT have scans WITHOUT CLINICAL REASON." Why?? Ultrasounds use sound waves or electric fields to produce the picture of the baby. A sound wave is capable of making a change that is either thermal, vibrational or mechanical in nature. It causes heat to be generated in body tissues and the tiny bubbles inside the tissue may vibrate in reaction to sound waves. Research shows that, "sound waves cause interference to nerve transmission with resultant pathology (tissue damage). This occurs in the presence of sound waves or electric fields in the frequency of 0.5 mHz to approximately 70 Hz. Concerns are therefore raised for ultrasound which has a frequency of 3.44 mHz, measured in watts or megawatts per square cm of tissue exposed. Ultrasounds are especially dangerous in the first trimester when cells are rapidly dividing and are undifferentiated. It is the thermal, vibrational and mechancial changes that occur with ultrasound that may potentially cause a mutation of these rapidly dividing cells, resulting in retardation or damage to foetal growth. Studies suggest ultrasound may cause an increased incidence of miscarriage, neurological deficits, developmental delays including delayed speech, and dyslexia. The International Childbrith Education Association has maintained that "Ultrasound is most likely to affect development (behavioural and neurological), blood cells, the immune system and a child's genetic make-up."

Now, having said this, I completely realize that ultrasounds can serve a good purpose, if used in moderation. Of course they are helpful in determining things like a multiple pregnancy, to confirm foetal viability, imminent misscarriage or death of foetus, to detect foetal abnormalities, to detect foetal masses or placental abnormalities, and to identify any other possible problems. What I do not think they are healthy to be used for are 'just to see the baby another time'. I'm sure it's amazing, and I'll let you know how ours goes. Like I said, we're getting ONE to determine the sex and any foetal abnormalities (so we could prepare our hearts and minds).

Now to some more lighthearted updates-

How my baby's growing:
At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, my baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. My baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of my pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

15 weeks, 5 days...

Well, I'm almost 16 weeks now, almost into my 5 month of pregnancy, but you couldn't tell. I'm getting a little belly, but I haven't gained any weight. It seems crazy that in 3 1/2 weeks we'll be going in for our first (and only) ultrasound! Yes, we decided to get just one, to determine the sex of the baby and to find out if it has down's or any other disorder/disability. We're excited to know the sex of the baby to mentally and physically prepare, and to make it easier on all you folks that might be sending gifts from overseas (as we couldn't easily return anything). Also, if the baby should have something out of the ordinary I would especially love the time to mentally prepare for that. A friend of a friend didn't have an ultrasound, and her baby did have down's (it was her 3rd child) and when the baby came out she was confused because she knew it didn't look right. And then it was just a bit of a shock. She still loved the baby, but it was difficult as she was unprepared for it.

Here's the baby at week 15:


About my baby... he or she now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If I shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for my baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if I was to have an ultrasound this week, I might be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! Although, like I said, we're waiting a few more weeks.

Enjoy the pics below of my growing belly...

Notice it's a nice sunny autumn day here!









OK, I am SUPER excited about these jeans (as seen in all the photos above as well). They are my first official item of maternity clothes I have bought. I know many of you are thinking, "She's still so small, how could she need maternity jeans of all things?!" Well, I can still fit into my other pants, but they were getting snug. Everytime I sat down I would unbutton the top bottom and then akwardly and sneakily try to fasten everything back up when I got up in hopes that no one would notice. Enough of that. We went to an outlet store in Melbourne last weekend (with our new-found car freedom!) and I decided to just try some maternity jeans on. Well, when I put these on I seriously felt like I was in Heaven. OK, not really, but you get the drift. They are that much more significantly comfortable. The price tag said $70 and although I never spend that much on clothes, I was prepared to for these jeans because they are just that much darn comfortable. When we got to the check out, they rang up $20!!! I was ELATED all day. I love a good bargain =) I'm also pleased I bought them now instead of waiting until I really really needed them, because I'll get that much more wear out of them (I've worn them everyday since!).

Notice you can wear the strechy fabric bit at the top over your tummy as a tummy warmer (which I love) or you can stylishly fold that bit down.

Hooray for comfy pants =)