20 Weeks

19 July 2013, Friday

How far along: 20 weeks - the halfway point!

How big baby is: 10 to 10 ½ ounces, 6 ½ inches long from head to rump or 10 inches from head to toes

Baby is the size of: a banana

Baby's development: Her uterus is fully formed and she even has primitive eggs in her tiny ovaries. Wow!

Mommy’s weight gain: one pound this week, making nine pounds total

Mommy’s belly: round - I seem to carry baby A high. Most pregnancy books and websites say that by 20 weeks my uterus should just now be as high as my belly button, but at last week’s ultrasound the PA confirmed that mine is 2-3 inches higher than that already. I like to think that I am just a great hostess who gives her lots of room to stretch and wiggle. :)

Not my favorite photo of myself, but a “belly shot” nonetheless...

Baby’s movements: She is very wiggly! Her most active time (that I’m awake for, anyway) seems to be around 9:30 in the evening. It’s neat to notice how differently her movements feel compared to the way Penny’s felt. With Penny I had an anterior placenta, meaning the placenta was in front of the baby, towards the front of my belly. Her kicks and movements were somewhat muted compared to how Ariana’s kicks feel. Ariana’s placenta is posterior, or on the back of the uterus, behind the baby. So her movements feel very sharp compared to what I was used to when pregnant with Penny. There have already been a few times that the baby’s swift karate chops have almost hurt and most certainly taken me by surprise!

Symptoms: I’m still quite tired most of the time, but I feel pretty great overall.

Food cravings: I haven’t had any cravings this week, but I do feel extra hungry. I have a hard time making it from one meal to the next without needing a snack in between. I have really enjoyed “Flavor Ice” popsicles this week - the ones in the plastic sleeves. Yum!

Emotions: Feeling Ariana’s movements make me so happy. But sometimes they remind me that I missed out on this part with my babies who have already gone to heaven. It can feel bittersweet at times.

Sleep: Still sleeping great at night and taking naps when I have a chance.

Anything else: I love that at twenty weeks the doctors stop calling her a “fetus” and start calling her a “baby.” The halfway point is a great milestone to reach and I’m so thankful for a healthy baby and pregnancy!