How my baby’s growing

At 11 inches and almost 1 pound (about the size of a spaghetti squash), your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she’s even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her 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 her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she’ll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her 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 to 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 pregnant women 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 moisturizing your skin will help with itching.

BABY STATS:

How Far Along?

22 weeks !

How Big Is The Little One?

My little angel is the size of a spaghetti squash and weights 14 oz this week per the doctor.

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

Still no weight gain.  I have lost 27 pounds since the beginning of this pregnancy and have held steady for the past two months.

Maternity Clothes?

My regular jeans and clothes still fit and are a bit baggy.  I have a pair of maternity leggings and a few pair of maternity pants that fit, but they slide down 😦  Once my belly is much bigger, they will fit.

Sleep?

I have insomnia, however the past two nights, I slept most of the night.  I think it was due to the traveling to NY and not getting much rest prior to the trip.

Best Moment of the Week?

The best moment of the week was finding my baby’s heartbeat on the fetal doppler monitor and then seeing her and hearing the heartbeat at my late anatomy scan.

Symptoms?

I have had a few bouts of nausea and have more of a gag reflex when brushing my teeth.

Food Cravings?

The only thing I have craved this week are plums.  I am going to Mom’s Organic tomorrow to get a bunch of organic plums.

Food Aversions?

Anything greasy, salty or overly sweet.

Gender?

Female

Labor Signs?

None !

What I Miss?

The occasional glass of wine.

What I Am Looking Forward To?

Meeting my daughter !

Bump?

On Tuesday night, my belly felt weird.  It felt like my organs were shifting around.  While walking around Manhattan on Wednesday, my belly felt like it popped.  I looked down and the baby was sticking out.  My belly has slightly popped ! Now I have a little bump.

Navel In/Out?

In

Baby / Mommy Purchases?

I ordered my breast pump this week.  I ordered the Medela Pump In Style.  They will ship it to me  at the end of this  trimester