Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.
This week, your baby weighs 10 ounces and is 16 centimeters crown to rump. Your blood is moving around your body ever more slowly in order to bring nutrients to your growing child. Now you can hear your baby's heartbeat with a special device called a Delee stethoscope, which some health-care providers use instead of a Doppler. It may also be possible for your partner to hear the heartbeat by placing his or her ear against your bare lower abdomen. If he can't hear it right away, have him try the other side. Listen every day, and you will be rewarded with a tiny, fast, rhythmic beat.
How far along? 20 weeks
How big is baby? About the size of a cantaloupe. For the record, this is the fruit comparison that scared me the most at the beginning. In fact, we were in Costco over the weekend and I did a side-by-side with a cantaloupe and my belly. The comparison is to show the length from head to rump, which isn't quite as intimidating. I think average length including legs is about 10-10.5 inches at this point. Now my scary fruit comparison is, of course, watermelon.
Sleep: I had maybe two nights of sleeping like a rock, but dreams have returned. I really need a full 8 hours and more would be nice.
Best moment this week: Shopping for Kaelyn. We've also received quite a few gifts from family and friends...this little girl definitely won't be naked!
Movement: She's definitely getting stronger. She was all over the place on Friday night at the (very loud) Mercury WNBA Finals game and again at the Coyotes game on Saturday night. That seems to be her most active time of day. I can just picture her doing somersaults.
Food cravings: My craving for a teriyaki chicken bowl was resolved x2. (We had a buy 1/get 1 at Samurai Sam's so I had it for dinner and lunch.) Oranges and OJ taste really good now...unlike during the first half of this pregnancy! Other than that, not much is jumping out at me at the moment because it changes constantly.
Gender: Girl! We shall confirm once again on the 23rd at the anatomy scan.
Belly Button in or out? In and it looks goofy under tighter shirts. My theory that she was having a growth spurt seems to be accurate--my belly is suddenly big.
What I miss: Not having "lightning" pains. My hips started hurting this week too, like a dull ache all the time. (Little one, while I know you like to lay across my belly and your room to stretch out is getting more limited by the day, my hip bones are permanent fixtures and are curved out enough as it is.)
What I am looking forward to: New floors in the nursery this weekend! Getting more cleaning and organizing done around the house.
Milestones: Halfway there! Also had my first non-family belly rub. George at George & Son...still as awkward as to be expected, but he's such a nice guy. I'm also told I definitely look pregnant, which is better than people just thinking I've been eating too many cheeseburgers. Also, progress is being made in the nursery.
Weekly Wisdom: Ripping out baseboards can be fairly therapeutic. Respiratory masks to protect the babe from paint fumes aren't very comfortable. I'm not sure what "wisdom" that really offers though ;)
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