Tight Tummy

In these days, I feel that my tummy is getting harder and harder like a stone. I do not know what is baby doing inside of me. Why my tummy gets so tight? Who knows the answer? For the next appointment, I will ask my doctor and see what he will say about it.

Andrew 29 Weeks

I went to see Andrew today. He is getting bigger and bigger. He is now 1460 kilograms compared to last month, he was 1040 kilograms. He gained 420 kilograms in one month. I was worried that he won't get any bigger. I am glad that he is growing inside of me. I need to eat more and he will be big enough when he comes out on Feb. 21st, 2010.

Moving

Andrew is moving all the time in my tummy. No matter what I am doing, he is kicking very hard. I wish I could know what is he doing in my tummy. Every time when I go to see him, he is just playing with his little feet and toes or he will touch his face. It is so funny....

Worrying

The docotr said my baby is 1,080 kg. I do not know if this size he is too small or not. When Alan was born, he was 2,600 kg. In 7th month period, Andrew is just about one thousand. I really need to eat more for him to grow up bigger. There's three months more to go. Andrew will be born soon, I am planing that in these 7 months, he can grow as big as Alan.

Second Blood Tests

This is Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan city. Here is where I am going to have my second baby. I wish I could have my second baby in USA, but with the economic situation and the new house, I do not think I could go there for the second baby.

I arrived at 7:30 A.M. The blood test is located on the second floor. I thought, I was too early, but there're a lot of people waiting in line already. For this test, I cannot eat for 8 hours before the test. Early in the morning, I wasn't feel hungry but after that, I felt very hungry.

The first test I did was at 7:45 A.M. and after that they gave me two bags of sugar to drink after the first blood test.

The test took entire day. The first two tests will be each 30 minutes. The second test would be at 8;30 A.M. and the third one was at 9:00 A.M. Each blood they took like 30 cc. from my body. After drinking two bags of sugar with two cups of water, I really fell not very comfortable.
This are the first three tests from the same arm. I was hurting too much for doing this.
The last two should be 60 minutes. After one hour, I did the fourth blood test. It was around 10:00 A.M. already. The last test of the day, I did at 11:00 A.M. After that I felt dizzy and very hungry. I really want to eat more and more. I did not have energy for anything else.

After the test, I went to the restaurant which is located closer to the hospital. I had a lot of vegetables and fish with a bowl of rice. I ate my meal which wasn't very cheap. For this meal I spent $90 NT dollars. After eating this, I still felt a little hungry.

I had time before I go back to my school. I bought a drink for Alan and I brought to his chool. I chose the day where I can go to the hospital becuase we were on the midterms exams. I was very glad that I finished my blood test for the day already.

Embarazo y diabetes gestacional

Si no eres diabética y no tienes antecedentes familiares de serlo, pero aún así podrías presentar diabetes gestacional durante el embarazo.

No se sabe por qué ocurre la diabetes gestacional, pero la respuesta podría estar en las hormonas de la placenta que permiten el desarrollo del bebé, que también impiden la acción de la insulina en el cuerpo de la gestante. Esto se llama resistencia a la insulina.

Esta resistencia a la insulina hace que el cuerpo necesite hasta tres veces más insulina. Si no hay insulina suficiente, la glucosa no puede separarse de la sangre y convertirse en energía. La glucosa se acumula en la sangre y puede alcanzar niveles muy altos, a esta condición se le llama hipoglucemia.

Por lo general se presenta en el último trimestre de embarazo, cuando el bebé ya está formado, y por tanto no causa efectos de nacimiento como en el caso de madres que tienen diabetes antes del embarazo.

Sin embargo, si la diabetes gestacional no es controlada a tiempo sí puede llegar a afectar al bebé. La principal consecuencia es que el bebé nazca con exceso de peso, y pueda desarrollar diabetes tipo 2 en la adultez. Es por ésta y ora razones más, que el control prenatal es muy importante.

Andrew 27th Weeks

Tonight, I went to the hospital and the doctor said Andrew is growing very well. He is now 27th week with 1,080 kilograms. He is very big now. My tummy is getting heavier and heavier and it is not only that, my tummy is also getting bigger and bigger, rounder and rounder.

After shower, I need to rub my cream in my stomach, to prevent stretch marks in the future. Also, I am getting tired easily, I want to sleep all the time.

I am hopping that Andrew can get bigger enough, I will eat a lot, so he can grow in my tummy. I am very happy to have this child. He came by surprise and being my lovely son.

The bad news is my sugar is too high, it is 177, the normal is 140 around. The doctor said it is possible to have gestational diabetes. The doctor suggested me to do another compleate blood test. Before the test, I cannot eat for 8 hours.

I am not eating a lot of sugar or cakes, the doctor told me that it is not only that but also, rice, noodles and bread will let me to have a high sugar in my body.

I always think eating or having too much sugar will have diabetes, but I did not even think rice, bread, or noodles will also can have diabetes. It is so scary.

Six Months Tummy

Now, I am six month pregnant. this baby is still small. It is only 1,080 Kg. This baby gives a lot of things. I have acne on my entire face, I have leg cramps at night, I have a lot of water in my legs, and more. The worst thing is acne on my face.

My six months tummy is not big enough. Other people wil have huge tummy now. My tummy is still small.

Here I am pregnant with Adnrew. Alan is taking a picture for me.

Week 22

Myself
I can eat more. I feel more confrotable compares to early days of pregnancy. The problem is now, if Andrew is kicking, it is hard for me to sleep. It is easy for me to wake up in the middle of the night.

According to the expert:
The grow must go on! No wonder you're getting so big, you're now housing a wonder-baby who weighs nearly a pound and measures nearly a foot in length. Their perfect little pancreas is now further developed and they've also started producing their own hormones! Your baby's future in the circus as a world-famous tight-rope-walker is secure: their inner ear is now developed to the point that they have their own sense of balance. Lucky for your little explorer, balance also promotes physical dexterity, which has them actively feeling out their surroundings where skin, body parts, and the resident umbilical cord are the big sensory experiences. Your foot-long baby, is looking a bit like an oversized raisin right now as more and more wrinkles are showing up each week. Not to worry, all that excessive wrinkling is just their skin's way of planning ahead for the time when they'll start piling on that irresistible baby chub.

And how's mom doing?
Take a moment to think about this: your uterus has now stretched to such unholy proportions that it extends beyond your navel! The not-so-exciting part of this remarkable fact is that growth like this tends to leave stretch marks and can itch like nobody's business. If it makes you feel any better, Don't get suckered into buying really expensive creams that supposedly make stretch marks magically disappear.'Stretch marks are scars on your skin and won't disappear with a topical cream

Week 21

Myself
I can feel strongly my baby's movement. He kicks so hard on my tummy. Now, I can feel hungry then ever. I have a good appetize but I am worry that my baby is too small. The doctor says it is ok too big is not easy to deliver the child.

My first baby, Alan was very small. He just had 5 pounds. He was very tiny when he came out. Now, he is big enough to do things by himself.

I am hopping that Andrew will be like Alan. I wish Andrew can come out safety and healthy.

According to the experts:
beautiful little miracle-grow baby will be putting on a full ounce and a half this week (and weighing up to 16.5 ounces), but that is just the beginning! Within the next five weeks, they will really be packin' it on! For now, we're pleased to report the addition of rapid eye movement (REM) a key component to any healthy baby's sleep schedule. While in the dermatology department: their thin soft skin is very red, rather translucent, and a bit wrinkled. Not to worry, it is not a premature aging disease. It's just their clever little body setting them up with extra space that will smooth out once your little one starts packing on the baby-fat. That won't be for a few more weeks, though. So for the time being, your munchkin is still a little lean mean growing machine! The beginnings of what is commonly called “brown fat” is just starting to fill in to help your baby retain some body heat, which is crucial as they're not yet capable of regulating their own body temperature.

And how's mom doing?
Most moms are feeling pretty good right about now. Funnily enough, you may already be noticing some mild uterine contractions—don't panic, this is completely normal. Actually, your uterus contracts throughout your whole life—only now determining the sex early on makes it easier to plan ahead, prepare the nursery, inform the family and purchase the right colored cigars. Of course to some parents, that's not the point. You're going to love your little one whether they've got a cheeseburger or hot dog that there is enough pressure on the uterine muscles you can feel them more distinctly when they contract.

Horrible, Horrible...

I was sleeping until 4 A.M. in the morning and sundenly, I had this terrible pain in my legs. It is cramps. Since then, I could not even sleep well.

According to the experts, cramps are unpleasant, often painful sensations caused by contraction or over-shortening of muscles. Cramps can be caused by cold, overexertion or low calcium level in blood (especially for adolescents, who need calcium for both blood and bone maturing) though the most common reason is low sodium and potassium levels in blood accompanied by excessive dehydration.

When I woke up this morning, my legs are hurting very much. I do not know why is this happen to me. I really do not know. I just felt horrible.

With this new baby in my tummy, it is really hard on me. I have horrible acne came out on my face, I have a lot of water in my legs, and now cramps. I do not know how this situation can be worst. It is so hard to be pregnant.

I really want to reach to 9 month, so I can deliver my baby soon.

Week 20

Now, at this time, I fee hungry each day. My baby now it is size of a banana. It is healthy and normal. I am very happy to know that my baby is normal. My tommy is not very noticeable now. Nobody knows I am pregnant. I can feel my baby is moving all the time.

According to the experts:

How Big is the Baby at 20 Weeks Pregnant?
By pregnancy week 20 your baby is now almost 10 to 11 ounces and is 10 inches long! The pregnancy week by week changes occurring at this stage are truly remarkable. Note - starting at 20 weeks length measurements are calculated from your baby's head to it's toes.
Your Baby's Growth and Development
By pregnancy 20 weeks your baby is now practicing breathing and swallowing on a regular basis. Your baby continues to grow and fill out, with the head becoming slightly more proportional to the rest of the body.

Your baby's skin is becoming more complex at the end of pregnancy week 20, forming different layers. The epidermis, or surface of your baby's skin now has four layers that contain ridges for fingertips. The layers that form in your baby's palms and feet will provide him with his own unique fingerprint later in life.

Your Growth and Development
By pregnancy 20 weeks time you are at the midpoint of your pregnancy, and onlookers are definitely starting to notice your bump! After pregnancy week 20 your uterus has likely reached your bellybutton. Growth typically starts to become more regular from this point in time on, so you should be noticing regular changes in your belly.

Remember that you are halfway through your pregnancy by 20 weeks pregnant, only 20 more weeks to go! Some ladies will deliver slightly sooner than 40 weeks, while others will delivery shortly after. A typical pregnancy usually lasts anywhere from 37-42 weeks. Where you fall in this spectrum will depend on a number of factors, including the accuracy of your due date, the health of your baby and even your genetics!

Changes in You
By pregnancy at 20 weeks you may be feeling slightly less dainty and slightly more bulky as your belly continues to grow. By now your physician or healthcare provider will start taking regular measurements of your belly to help confirm your baby's growth and development.

4D Ultrasound

Today October 14th, 2009, I was so excited to see my unborn baby. I finished my class on time and I went to the hospital right away. Before going to the hospital, I knew that my baby will be a baby boy and yesterday the nurse confirmed that it is baby boy.

Alan is so happy to have a little brother who can play with. Alan really wanted to go to the hospital with me, but he had to stay at school. He asked me to pull out of the class, so he could go to the hospital with me.

My Alan is very cute because he istaking care of me all the time. He prepared a lunch box for me today.

I never saw 4D ultrasound in my ife. This is the first time for me to see it. It is so amazing to see clearly a unborn baby inside of me. I could also see clearly what he is doing inside.

The nurse looked at the brain first, after that she checked tha face. I could see my baby has a big nose. It looks like his father a lot. Neither Alan or Andrew do not look like me.

After we looked at the brain and face, we moved to the body parts. It seems everything is normal and healthy. He will be a helathy baby. Thanks life for giving me a such wonderful baby.

When I saw him, he was moving all the time, he was playing with his legs, toes and finers. He is very cute. Even the nurse said he is so cute.

I really had a great experience for just looking at him. 4D ultrasound is much better then black and white ultrasound. 4D ultrasound has more color and it can capture the baby into a video.

Even the health insurance does not pay for it, it is worth to pay a lot of money $1,500 NT dollars to see my baby. It was great experience, I really enjoyed it. I whish I could see him in 4D everyday for free.

I will name my baby boy Andrew, Alan and I like the name "Andrew". When he is comes out, we will choose his Chinese name.

19th Week

Now, I am 19th week of pregnancy. My baby is moving all the time in m tummy. I can feel he is moving so strong. I do not know what he is doing inside of me. Now, I feel more hungry then before. In two days, I am so excited to see how my baby will look like. Now in this new generation, technology changed and we can see how the baby will look like before he will born. This is so cool. I cannot wait for it.

Alan is so excited to have hos little brother. He is really very happy and excited to see him. he wants to take care of him and he will give him eat and change diapers.

Result of Amniotic Fluid Test

After three weeks of Amniotic Fluid Test, finally I got the result of my test yesterday. The test came out that my baby is normal and it is 46 XY. When I heard the doctor saying that my baby is normal, I felt much less presure. Thanks God for giving me a normal baby with two arms, two legs and a healthy body.

As before, I did not even know I was pregnant, I took a lot of medicine such as Acne medications, constipations, and loosing weight pills. When I knew I was pregnant, I stoped all these medications. At the same time, I was eager to know if my baby will be healthier or not.

Now, I can relax and do not worry about my baby anymore. Also, I asked the doctor what is 46 XY? He said 46 is the number that shows it is normal. If it is abnormal it will be 36 or below. XY means, you will have another baby boy. If it is 46 XX that means 46 is normal and XX means it is girl. Alan was there, he listened to what doctor said, at that time, he was so happy.

Now, I am week 19th. I am very happy that my baby is normal. Last time I did the Amniotic Fluid Test, I was worried about the results. Today when I went to the doctor, the doctor said, I will have a normal child. I am very happy to hear that.

Also, the doctor showed me ultrasound, the baby's head is really big. his arms, hands are big also. He is growing well in my tummy, I am very happy. Alsn went with me to the doctor and he was also happy but at the same time, he is very sad because of his test.

The doctor also suggests me that on the 21 week, I need to do 3D ultrasound. So we can see baby's organs. I am very excited about it.

Experts says:
How Big is the Baby at 19 Weeks Pregnant?
By pregnancy week 19 your baby may be as big as 6 inches long and may weigh up to 8.5 ounces! Between 19 weeks pregnant and the time you deliver your baby it will increase in size by more than 15 times! The growth that occurs each week by week from here on out is truly remarkable.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
By pregnancy week 19 your baby is starting to produce meconium, the baby's first bowel movement. When your baby is born she will start passing meconium the first few days of life. Meconium is very normal but can sometimes turn dangerous. Typically when babies are developing they ingest and then excrete amniotic fluid every day. Meconium is a combination of this build-up of material including amniotic fluid that occurs during pregnancy. Typically it is greenish-black in color and tarry upon excretion. Usually your baby will pass this after delivery. There is however a risk if your baby passes meconium while you are still pregnant. Usually this is a sign of fetal distress. Meconium passed in utero can mix with amniotic fluid and sometimes get into the baby's lungs, which can cause complications after delivery including pneumonia.

Typically the only way to tell if the baby has passed meconium is after the birth. When your water breaks if the water is clear your baby should be fine. If your baby has passed meconium the amniotic fluid may be yellowish or greenish. Your healthcare provider will use a DeLee suction to remove the meconium from your baby's airway prior to their first breath, to prevent aspiration of the meconium in the respiratory system.

There is no way to influence whether or not your baby will pass meconium in utero. The good news is that most babies do not, so you shouldn't worry about it. Your healthcare provider will be well equipped to handle the situation should it arise at delivery.

Your baby is also producing vernix during 19 weeks pregnant, which is a white sticky substance that covers your baby's skin to protect it from it's environment. Remember your baby is packed in fluid for nine months. The vernix will keep your baby's skin looking soft and supple.

By pregnancy 19 weeks your baby's brain is also forming pockets to specialize in smell, taste, hearing, vision and even touch. By pregnancy week 19 if you are having a girl she already has produced six million eggs in her ovaries, though this number will decrease by 4 million by the time your newborn baby is born.

Your Growth and Development
By 19 weeks pregnant your uterus should now be just below your belly button. You may notice that your lower abdomen is somewhat achy due to its increased size and pulling on the round ligaments. Round ligament pain is a very common discomfort at 19 weeks of pregnancy.

Changes in You
It is not uncommon to find your balance shifting during pregnancy at 19 weeks. Remember your center of gravity is off. You may notice it is more difficult to walk down or up hill with your changing center of gravity. You may also start feeling dizzy or lightheaded, which is a fairly common side effect of pregnancy. Typically you'll notice these symptoms when you change posture, a condition referred to as postural hypotension. This is low blood pressure that results from a change in position, such as a sudden leap from sitting to standing.

Sometimes the uterus also places pressure on the aorta and vena cava, two large vessels that supply blood to the body. The aorta transfers blood from the heart to the body and the vena cava brings the blood from the body back to the heart. When these vessels are compressed, you get hypotension due to the slowing of blood circulating through your body. This is called supine hypotension, which may result in a feeling of being faint or dizzy when you lie down. Typically you can relieve the symptoms of dizziness or faintness resulting by supine hypotension by lying on your side instead of your back. Either side you lay on will relieve the pressure on the large vessels and increase your blood flow back to your heart. In a few minutes, you will feel like yourself again.

Other causes of dizziness or light-headedness may include too low or too high blood sugar. Be sure that you are eating several mini meals per day and not skipping any meals. This should help alleviate the problem.

Acne

Since I am pregnant with Andrew, my face changed dramatically. I am having so much acne on my face. As before I did not have any acne, but now it is horrible that my entire face is all with acne. I am so scared of it, I want to get out of this already.

Week 18

Now, I am feeling much pressure. Alan started his school already and he has some problem in his math. 5th Grade math for him is very difficult. If he can do it much better, it will be better for him. I am very worry about Alan.

Also, I need ot take care of my unborn baby. I cannot get too much stress on many things. I should take things easily, so my baby will be healthier.

Tips form experts:

How Big is the Baby at 18 Weeks Pregnant?
By 18 weeks pregnant your baby is now 5.6 inches long and weighs 6.7 ounces!
Your Baby's Growth and Development
By pregnancy week 18 your baby's heart is developed enough to show some signs of defects. Ultrasound may be used to help detect any structural abnormalities that might exist. Most babies will be born without any congenital abnormalities. If an early ultrasound does detect something abnormal, you can plan ahead for any interventions or surgeries that may be necessary to support your newborn baby after birth.

At pregnancy week 18 your baby is now starting to produce a protective covering along the nerves, called Myelin. This substance will be produced through the ninth month. By now your baby's genitals should be distinguishable, though you may not yet have the opportunity to view them at your health care practitioner's office.

Your Growth and Development
You should be able to feel your uterus now just below your bellybutton. You should definitely be showing a bit by now. Most women will have gained anywhere from 10 to 15 pounds at this point in time, though some will have gained less and some more. Your uterus is the size of a small melon by this point in time.

Changes in You
Sleeping might start to get a bit more uncomfortable as your belly continues to expand during pregnancy 18 weeks and beyond. One of the best things you can do during your pregnancy is lie on your left side, particularly during the third trimester. This will help prevent your uterus from compressing a vein in your body called the inferior vena cava. This vein helps return blood back to your heart. If you haven't invested in a whole body pillow at this point, you might consider one soon.

Most women will undergo an ultrasound sometime between 18 weeks pregnant and 20 weeks pregnant. An ultrasound is typically ordered to help detect birth defects and ensure that the baby is growing properly. Your healthcare provider will examine your baby's placenta and umbilical cord and also determine whether or not the due date you have estimated is likely to be correct.

Many women have their husband join them during their ultrasound visit so they can enjoy the experience of seeing their miniature newborn baby together.

Week 17

My unborn baby should get bigger and bigger. In this 17 weeks, I do not feel that my tummy is getting bigger. I am just feeling a little movement in my tummy. I can eat much better. I am hungry all the time, but I am afraid if I ate too much, I will have very difficult delivery.

When I had my first child, I did not have any problems in terms of eating, but this one, I do not know why I did not feel eating in the early weeks.

I need to get more healthy food for the baby and myself. My son Alan is always helping me to take care of me. He is worrying about me all the time, too.

In the following are some tips from experts:

How Big is the Baby at 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is 5.1 inches by pregnancy week 17 and weighs almost 5 ounces! If you were to hold your baby at 17 weeks pregnant, she would fit snuggly in the palm of your hand.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby during week 17 is now very mobile, gleefully moving his joints here, there and everywhere and will continue to do so as you continue your pregnancy week by week. The cartilage making up the skeleton in your baby's body is starting to transform into bone. At pregnancy 17 weeks time your baby should be hearing things. Your baby will start putting on some layers of fat in the weeks to come, though at this point in time your baby is made up of primarily water.

You may be feeling your baby move intermittently after pregnancy week 17, though as your pregnancy progresses you will likely start feeling your baby move more and more.

There are many natural health practitioners that believe in the power of touch. Though your little one is still very small, your touch may do much to help him feel safe and warm inside the womb. If you haven't started already, you might consider rubbing your 'pooch' in calming circular motions. This will not only help comfort your little one, but will help initiate the bonding process with you and your newborn baby throughout your pregnancy and after.

Other women find comfort when playing music to their unborn children. There is evidence suggesting that your baby responds to music even while in the womb. Thus, there is no harm in playing some calm and engaging music to your baby even while they are in the womb.

Your Growth and Development
At 17 weeks pregnant your uterus will start changing shape as your pregnancy progresses, to resemble an egg shape instead of a round ball. It will gradually grow to inhabit most of your pelvis and abdomen. While this happens your organs, including your intestines get pushed to the sides. By this point in time you will likely be showing a little bit, though some women are still able to hide their pregnancies for many weeks to come.

By pregnancy at 17 weeks your uterus should now be about 1.5 to 2 inches below your bellybutton, so you should be showing a little in your lower abdomen.

Changes in You
You are probably steadily gaining some weight by 17 weeks pregnant. Most women welcome the feel of their baby moving by this week in pregnancy, but movements are still fairly erratic and won't seem regular for a few more weeks.

You may be having more vaginal discharge now. Many women have more vaginal discharge during pregnancy. The increased vaginal discharge is referred to as leucorrhoea, it is odorless and a milky or clear color that is normal during pregnancy. Part of the reason you produce more is your body's increased estrogen production and more blood flow in the genital area.

You will actually notice even more vaginal discharge during the latter half of your pregnancy. Sometimes it is difficult to discern whether you are leaking discharge or amniotic fluid. Typically amniotic fluid will be more clear and abundant. If you are not certain if your discharge is normal, or if it is bloody at all you should contact your healthcare provider right away, as this might be a sign of pre-term labor.

The best thing to do in order to address excessive vaginal discharge is wear panty liners to absorb it. Tampons aren't safe to use. Avoid douching as well, as this can introduce air into the vagina, which may seriously complicate your pregnancy. Douching can also increase your risk of contracting vaginal infections or vaginitis.

If you are having discharge that is accompanied by itching or burning you might have a yeast infection. Foul smelling discharge may also be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection or other vaginal disorder. It is important that you contact your health care provider if you think you may be suffering from any of these conditions so you can acquire the appropriate treatment.

It is important if you work in a stressful environment that you start taking measures to reduce your stress level. Stress can have a devastating impact on pregnancy and childbirth. There are actually some studies that suggest that stress can contribute to complications during pregnancy, including preterm labor. Some studies have also indicated that high levels of stress particularly between weeks 18 and 20 can result in higher levels of a hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone, which has been linked to preterm labor. This hormone may promote your body to release prostaglandins, which may result in contractions. Thus it is critical you do everything possible to limit your stress whenever possible.

Some stress simply can't be avoided. However there are many things you can do to cope with the ordinary stress that occurs in life during pregnancy. The most important things for you to do include taking care of yourself, resting as much as possible and taking the time to exercise when you can.

Remember that stress can also cause you to behave erratically, particularly during pregnancy. If you find yourself overly worried, talk to your healthcare provider. They might recommend some classes for you to take to help you cope with your situation. Prenatal yoga and meditation are two wonderful alternatives for dealing with stress during pregnancy. Be sure you also communicate your needs to your partner who can help you relax and address unnecessary stress during pregnancy.

Week 16

How Big is the Baby at 16 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is even larger by pregnancy week 16, a little over 4.5 inches long, and probably weighs close to 3.5 ounces.
Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is planning on doing some major growing in the next few weeks. By pregnancy 16 weeks she'll be able to hold her head slightly straighter, and her eyes are finally moving into their final position in the front of the head. The ears are doing the same, and now your baby is focusing her attention on complicated circulatory matters. Your baby's heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood every day, not bad for someone smaller than a grapefruit!

Your baby is also starting to grow hair and will continue to do so as you
continue your pregnancy week by week. You won't be able to tell what color hair your baby has until after birth, and even then your baby's hair may fall out and change colors completely at least once during the first few months of life! The same is true of our baby's eye color. Some baby's are born with blue eyes that gradually turn darker during the first couple of months of life!

By pregnancy week 16 the umbilical cord is now firmly attached to your baby's belly as well, providing numerous nutrients to your little one. At this point in time your baby's legs are starting to grow longer than the arms!

Your Growth and Development
You should no longer have a discernable waist by pregnancy 16 weeks. Don't fret; it will come back some day. Most women revel in their blossoming roundness. While you are not huge by any stretch of the imagination, you are starting to look more and more pregnant each and every day. By now you might consider shopping for some maternity clothes, though you may not be able to fill them out for a few more weeks. Some stores offer maternity clothes in varying sizes that can accommodate second vs. third trimester babies.

Your maternity size will generally correspond with the size you were before you got pregnant, provided you have not gained an unusual amount of weight.

Changes in You
Perhaps the most exciting part of pregnancy is feeling your baby move. You might be able to discern tiny movements by pregnancy week 16. Many women have described this feeling as akin to butterflies fluttering away in the stomach at 16 weeks pregnant though some will feel this later. At first you might dismiss this feeling as gas, but watch out, your baby is actually swimming up a storm!

Even at 16 weeks pregnant not all women will feel their baby's movement, so don't panic if you don't recognize your baby's movements during pregnancy at 16 weeks. It may take a few more weeks before you feel the first fluttering of your baby. If this is not your first baby, you are more likely to feel movement early on in the pregnancy.

Some time between weeks 16 and 18 you will undergo an alpha-fetoprotein test (AFP). This is a protein that comes from fetal urine and resides in the amniotic fluid. Your physician can measure the amount of AFP in the amniotic fluid with a simple blood test.

High levels of AFP can indicate a problem with the fetus, including an elevated risk for spinal cord problems the two most common of which include a condition called Spina Bifida, which involves the central nervous system or Down Syndrome, which involves an abnormal number of chromosomes. An abnormal test does not mean that there is something wrong with the fetus; it simply indicates to your healthcare provider that something might be awry. If your AFP test comes back positive your physician might order an amniocentesis or ultrasound to confirm a diagnosis.

An amniocentesis is one of the more common genetic tests performed to test for chromosomal abnormalities and genetic birth defects. Your healthcare provider will use an ultrasound to guide a thin needle through the abdomen and withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid. There is a small risk of miscarriage, spotting or leaking of amniotic fluid associated with the procedure. An amniocentesis can among other things confirm the sex of your baby. It is far more accurate than an ultrasound because it measures the genetic components that determine whether your baby is a boy or a girl. It is not routinely used however simply to determine sex, because the procedure is considered somewhat risky.

Amniotic Fluid Test

I am now 16 weeks of pregnancy. The doctor suggests me to have amniotic fluid test. This test will help me to know if my baby is OK or not. I really want to do this test is because I took so many pills during pregnancy.

At that time, I did not even know I was pregnant, so I took some loosing weight pills, acne pills and constipation pills.I do not know these things are right for the baby or not. For my security and for the baby health, I need to check if I am OK.

The doctor also suggests me that because I am older now, it is good for me to take this test. The problem is that the insurance company in Taiwan do not pay for this fees. I have to pay it myself.We have schedule on Monday morning. I could not even sleep on Sunday night. I was awake and waiting for the test.
On Monday morning at 9:15, I went to see the nurse. The nurse told me to wait a little bit, she needs to prepare things that they need for the test. She told me to pull up my clothing that I can just show my tummy. After that when the doctor came, he saw the baby in ultrasound. He as finding a good position, so he could inject the needles.

The doctor wanted to inject from baby's legs. I do not know if it is secure or not. I asked him so many questions. After that, we were so lucky, baby moved to another place so the doctor could inject form the empty part.

First, the doctor was cleaning my tummy to prevent to have infections. After that he checked again the position of the baby and after that he injected the needles inside.the doctor took 20 cc form my amniotic fluid.

The color of the fluid is kind of yellow like picture above. The test took not even 5 minutes to finish.

After finish the test, the doctor puts and bandaged on my tummy.

I have to wait for 2 to 3 weeks to know the results of the test. The cost of the test is between $6,000 to $8,000 NT dollars. I am hopping everything will be OK.

The nurse also suggests that after the test, I have to lie down and I cannot talk, walk and carry heavy things.

Week 15

How Big is the Baby at 15 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is 4 inches long and weighs more than 2.4 ounces now!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is growing rapidly as always as you continue your pregnancy week by week journey. You would still be able to see your baby's blood vessels through his paper-thin skin if you were to peek inside your uterus during pregnancy week 15. In fact the vessels forming in your baby's body make him look rather like a map! This week your baby will start producing lanugo, which is fine hair that will cover your baby's body up until a few weeks before birth. Lanugo covers every part of your baby in utero, except for the palms, soles of the feet, lips, penis, nails and inner fingers and toes. Typically babies will shed this hair by the 8th month of pregnancy, but it can persist in some after birth for a short period of time. Pre-term babies are more likely to be born with lanugo than full term babies. Your baby might start sucking his thumb this week.

The bones in your baby's body are also starting to get harder during pregnancy at 15 weeks and will continue to do so throughout your pregnancy. Your baby is spending most of his time practicing breathing, by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. Believe it or not, the very act of doing so will help your baby's air sacs develop during pregnancy. Your baby continues to form taste buds at this point in time.

Your Growth and Development
You should start noticing a more bloated abdomen by pregnancy 15 weeks time. Most women have gained anywhere from five to ten pounds by now. Your uterus has now risen or is starting to rise past your hipbones by pregnancy week 15. Your healthcare provider will be able to actually feel it about three inches or so below your belly button.

Later in your pregnancy your healthcare provider will start taking measurements of your uterus, which they will refer to as the "fundal height". This measurement can help confirm your due date, as it usually correlates with the number of weeks you are pregnant. The fundal height is formally defined as the distance between the top of your uterus and the pubic bone.

Changes in You
At 15 weeks pregnant you are starting to feel more pregnant. Some women start experiencing some unexpected side effects well into their pregnancy. For example, excessive salivation is not uncommon during pregnancy. This is nothing to be alarmed about, though it can be a bit inconvenient at times.

Other women start experiencing more stuffy noses during pregnancy at 15 weeks. This is due to swelling in the mucous membranes of the nose, largely the result of increased hormonal production. You may also find however that you have a cold at 15 weeks pregnant. Pregnant women are more susceptible to common illnesses, in part because their immune systems are compromised during pregnancy. Be sure that you take great care to wash your hands religiously when out in public.

Many women find themselves the victim of an unwanted urinary tract infection during pregnancy. Unfortunately for some this is another unpleasant side effect of pregnancy. Believe it or not urinary tract infections are more common during pregnancy, particularly because the muscles of their ureters are relaxed due to increasing levels of progesterone. The uterus can also compress the ureters causing urine to flow more slowly to the bladder, which can allow bacteria to accumulate. Some women also have more concentrated urine during pregnancy that can contribute to UTI's.

Your healthcare practitioner will actually test your urine for bacteria that is associated with a UTI during your first prenatal visit. Generally most women whose test is negative at this point will not contract a UTI during pregnancy. However, it is possible that you still might. If you have bacteria present during the first prenatal visit, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe antibiotics to help clear it from your system. IT is important that your infection is cleared out. If it is left untreated, there is an increased risk that you will develop a kidney infection during your pregnancy, which can be very serious in some situations.

There are some tell tale signs of a UTI in most women. These include: pain when urinating or burning, lower abdominal pain, a frequent urge to urinate though little comes out, blood in the urine or cloudy urine. The symptoms may be different during pregnancy however, and may include nausea or fever. The symptoms of a kidney infection are more severe, and typically include high fever, pain in the lower back or abdomen and nausea or vomiting.

Fortunately there are many things you can do to help prevent a UTI during pregnancy. These include: drinking at least 10 8-ounce glasses of water ever day, peeing as soon as you feel the urge and wiping yourself from front to back. You can also drink cranberry juice to help discourage bacteria from forming in the urinary tract.

Personal Feelings:
Now, I do not vomit anymore, but I still cannot eat fish. If I heard the word fish, I will be very bad, my stomache will feel bad also. I do not feel heavy in myself. My tummy still is not big enough. Sometimes I am not feeling my baby moving inside of me. I do not know if this is normal is not or not. We will see what the doctor says.

Week 14

How Big is the Baby at Fourteen Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is 3.4 inches long by pregnancy week 14, and likely weighs close to 1.5 ounces! Every day of your pregnancy week by week your baby is growing more and more proportional.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
By pregnancy 14 weeks your baby's body is growing quite rapidly. During pregnancy week 14 his length is catching up with his slightly larger head. The ears have started their move to the sides of the head, and the eyes continue to get closer and closer together.

During pregnancy week 14 your baby's neck will elongate, and the chin will start to rise up off the chest. Your baby's reflexes will also continue to develop this week. By pregnancy 14 weeks your baby should be receiving their nutrition directly from the placenta. Remember that everything you put into your body can cross the placental wall and impact your fetus. This includes not only things you eat such as food preservatives, but also things that may come into contact your skin, such as house sprays or other cleaning agents. Remember that lotions penetrate the skin, so why wouldn't household cleaners? At this time more than any other time in your life it is important that you make safe and healthy choices with regard to your health and well being.

Anything you eat or inhale could directly or indirectly affect the health and well being of your baby. Eating a healthy diet is vital to the well being of your child. Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy as well as avoiding certain foods is important to ensure a happy, healthy environment for your unborn baby. If you are smoking during your pregnancy please stop now.

One thing that you should never do when pregnant is change a cat's litter box. Doing so could put you at risk for contracting a disease called Toxoplasmosis. This is an infection that can occur via contact with the stool of an infected cat. The risk to your baby is substantial. Cats are often infected from outside sources including rodents. Most pet owners that have had cats for a long time have likely already been exposed to the disease at some time or another in their life, and this will not necessarily result in an increased risk for your baby. However during pregnancy, you do have an excuse to have someone else change the litter pan for the time being. You should also avoid gardening to some extent, as outdoor cats sometimes prefer to leave their stools in the soil of a garden.

If you absolutely must garden or change a cat box, be sure you wear gloves and a mask, and carefully wash your hands after performing any of these higher risk activities.

Your Growth and Development

At 14 weeks pregnant your tummy should start pouching a little bit now. Some women find this a welcome change. You may also notice that you start having additional symptoms such as constipation during pregnancy at 14 weeks. Constipation is fairly common during pregnancy, and among other things may be related to the increased amount of iron you are consuming to stave off anemia during pregnancy.

Fortunately there are many things you can do to alleviate constipation naturally. You'll want to do this, because chronic constipation can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids during pregnancy. First and foremost you'll want to be sure that you are drinking lots and lots of water. If you are thirsty then you are probably already dehydrated. Eating high fiber foods can also help reduce constipation… but be careful. Incorporating too many high fiber foods all at once can lead to excess gas, which is extremely uncomfortable during pregnancy. Start incorporation high fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables into your diet slowly, so your body can adapt to them and break them down more easily. This will lead to less discomfort and less constipation.

Changes in You
In addition to your expanding belly, at 14 weeks pregnant you might find yourself more eager than ever to exercise during your second trimester. Most women will have much more energy during the second trimester to embark on a fitness program.

If you have never engaged in a physical fitness program before, be sure to get your doctors clearance before doing so during pregnancy. It is important that you start out slow. Do to the increasing levels of hormones in your body you are more prone to injury during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester when your body starts releasing a substance called relaxin. Relaxin helps soften and lengthen the cervix and the area of the body called the pubic symphysis, or the place where your pubic bones come together. This will help ease your transition into labor. It also improves the likelihood for injury due to falls or sudden movements. Be sure that you take things slowly.

Your healthcare provider will likely recommend that you keep your heart rate below 140 during pregnancy. This will help ensure that you don't get over fatigued and allow your baby to get an adequate supply of oxygen during physical activity.

While it is safe to lift weights during pregnancy, you'll want to be sure that you aren't lifting heavy weights. If the weight you are lifting causes you to hold your breath and push hard, then it is too heavy. Lifting weights that are too heavy can cut off the oxygen supply momentarily to your uterus, something you want to avoid during pregnancy.

You'll also want to avoid any exercises that cause you to lie flat on your back during the second trimester. When you are in a supine position the weight of the uterus presses on a large vein called the vena cava. This large vessel carries blood from the legs to the heart. When you lie on your back you might decrease the blood flow to your heart, and your heart may start to race. This can result in shortness of breath. You can and will pass out if you do not change your position.

My Personal Feelings
In these 14 weeks of pregnancy, I felt very nervous about my baby. I am eager to know the gender of my baby. The doctor cannot even see it from the ultrasound. I am very happy to able to have a baby now. Alan is so excited also.

During this week, sometimes I am feeling eating and sometimes I feel eating a lot. I do not know what is wrong with me. I wish I could know better my own body.

The problem with acne is not gone. It is getting worse and worse. In this pregnancy, I changed a lot in my body. I am getting bigger and bigger, but my tummy did not grow as much as it should be.

Week 13

How is baby's growing:
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.b

How your life's changing:
This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. More good news: Many couples also notice a distinct libido lift around this time. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow.

Questions About Eating for two

Q1.
How much more should I be eating every day?

You need only 300 or so extra calories a day when you're pregnant. Make those calories count: Skip the junk food and have a glass of milk and a couple of slices of whole-wheat toast instead.

Don't get too hung up on numbers, though. As long as you're making healthy food choices and your provider is happy with your weight gain, there's no need to agonize over calories.

Q2.
What are some important nutrients?

Protein, iron, and calcium are three nutrients you need now to keep you healthy and fuel your baby's development.

Protein: Aim for 71 grams a day. Lean meats, eggs, and dairy products, as well as nuts, beans, and soy products like tofu, are all good sources. Three servings a day should help you meet your goal. Fish is a good source of protein (as well as vital omega-3 fatty acids), but because of concerns about contamination, experts debate how much and what type of fish you should eat.

Iron: Getting 27 milligrams of iron every day is especially important to help ward off iron-deficiency anemia, a common problem among pregnant women. Iron found in animal products (called heme iron) is absorbed more easily by your body than iron found in plants (nonheme iron). The best source? Lean red meat. If you're a vegetarian or can't stomach meat, you can get some iron from vegetables such as spinach and legumes like lentils. It can be tough to get enough iron from these sources, though, so your provider may recommend an iron supplement. (Hint: Vitamin C enhances the absorption of nonheme iron, so eat foods rich in vitamin C — such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and sweet peppers — at the same time you eat non-meat iron-rich foods, or down your iron supplement with a glass of orange juice.)

Calcium: Four servings a day of dairy products will help you get the 1,000 mg of calcium you need (1,300 mg if you're 18 or younger). Your baby needs calcium for the formation of his bones and teeth. If you don't get enough of this nutrient, he'll take what he needs from your body and you'll lose calcium stored in your bones.

Personal Feelings:
I am feeling much comfortable now compares as before. I just want my baby to get healthier and heltier each day. I am feeling tired all the time. I do not know how this situation will get better. Also my acne on the face will still appear each moment. I want them to stop, but I just cannot do it.

Week 12th

After work, I went to see the doctor right away. I was number one in the evening group. When I arrived at the hospital, I did not know the maternity section had changed to another building. I was waiting for 10 minutes and I knew something was wrong. So I was looking around for the maternity section.


After I found it, a lot of pople were there waiting in line. I put my insurance card over there also. Almost 15 minutes to 6 PM, nurses started to call one by one. When they called me, the started to ask my name, how many weeks am I, I hate people to ask me the same questions over and over again.

After 10 minutes of asking questions, finally, they gave me a pregnancy booklet. I can write how big is my baby, how is my baby doing and growing.

I am so excited to see my baby. I cannot wait he or she will come out.

It is 6 PM already, my doctor just arrived to his room. It is time for me to go and see him. When I entered to the room, the doctor asked me how am I doing? I answered him, I still have morning sickness. He could not even believe what I just said. He said, you shouldn't have morning sickness at this time.

The nurse asked me to lie down. When the doctor came inside, he was ready to check my baby on the ultrasound. He asked me to see the baby. He explained to me that my little one has a head, two arms, two legs, and the body also he or she has a bottom. We do not know the sex of the baby yet. The doctor said it is very tiny still. However, it is growing in my body.

According to the ultrasound, my baby is 12 weeks and 2 days. It is 49.9 m m, last month the baby was only 19.0 m m.

According to the experts

Week 12

How Big is the Baby?
At 12 weeks pregnant your baby is just about two and a half inches long and weighs up to half an ounce!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby continues to grow and develop tremendously during pregnancy week 12. You'll be amazed at the pregnancy week by week changes that start occurring within your baby in the upcoming months. Your baby's genitals will start showing signs of being either male or female soon. During pregnancy week 12, your baby's brain is starting to make hormones, and nerve cells are multiplying at a rapid rate. Your baby may be sucking as early as this week, and your baby's kidneys may even be producing urine.

By pregnancy 12 weeks if you stimulate certain points of your uterus your baby may move in response, though you won't be able to actually feel your baby moving for another few weeks!

Your Growth and Development
You are growing and expanding! By the end of pregnancy week 12 your uterus will pop out of your pelvis, and appear just above the pubic bone. It will continue to grow into your abdomen. While it may take nine months for your uterus to grow large enough to hold your baby, it will return to its pre-pregnancy size just weeks after delivery!

Your uterus will also weigh more and more as your pregnancy at 12 weeks continues to progress. By the end of your pregnancy your uterus will weigh up to 2 pounds, compared to 2.5 ounces prior to your pregnancy!

Changes in You
You might be noticing some skin changes during pregnancy 12 weeks. If you have a lot of freckles during pregnancy, they may start to darken after pregnancy week 12. Some women form a dark vertical line that runs the length of their abdomen during pregnancy. This is called the linea nigra. It usually appears sometime during the second trimester. It will gradually fade within a few weeks of delivery. The skin surrounding your nipples and areolas will likely darken as well.

Other women have patches of brown skin that form on the face and neck. These are commonly referred to as the mask of pregnancy, and usually disappear completely or become lighter after you deliver. You should always wear sunscreen during pregnancy to protect your skin, which may prove more sensitive throughout your pregnancy. There are many chemical free versions of sun block available on the market today, which are perfectly suitable during pregnancy.

Some women religiously use wrinkle creams and other skin firming lotions prior to pregnancy. If you typically use a product with high concentrations of Vitamin A, you should stop during pregnancy. Too much vitamin A can be harmful to you and your developing fetus. Vitamin A is found in prenatal vitamins up to 5,000 IUs. This is a beneficial dose for helping promote bone growth and support and strengthen the teeth. Larger doses of vitamin A however can cause liver damage and jaundice. If you aren't sure whether or not a product is safe, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before continuing its use.

You may find that you are experiencing more heartburn than normal at 12 weeks pregnant. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the throat, chest and upper abdomen. This is a very common complaint during pregnancy at 12 weeks. It is caused by an increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy. Progesterone relaxes the valve between your stomach and esophagus. This relaxation allows stomach acids to enter the esophagus and cause severe irritation, which gives you the sensation of a burning feeling. Some great suggestions to relieve and prevent heartburn are as follows:

1. Eat less at each meal and have six meals a day instead of three.
2. Chew your food adequately and eat slowly.
3. Drink liquids before and after your meals and not with them.
4. For heavens sake stay away from fatty and greasy foods which will only make the problem
worse.
5. Stay away from fizzy drinks, citrus juices and spicy meals.
6. Do not eat before going to bed.
7. Raise the head of your bed or prop yourself up with pillows which will help minimize
heartburn.
8. Consider liquid antacids… they work much better than the tablet forms.

Week 11

In this week, I still have morning sickness. Sometimes my tummy feels very tight with pain. However, most of the time, I feel nauseas. Tomorrow night around 5:30 PM, I will go to see the doctor. I am hopping that the baby is growing well.

Tomorrow's test is very important because I will do the high risk pregnancy test. If something is wrong with my baby, I have to take it out right away. If everything goes well, I will keep the baby.

According to the experts:

How Big is the Baby at Eleven Weeks Pregnant?
Your little one is growing larger and larger as you continue your pregnancy week by week. By pregnancy week 11 your baby is big enough to hold in the palm of your hand. Between 1.75 and 2.4 inches long your little bean weighs almost .3 of an ounce, and is probably about the size of a small plum.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
By pregnancy 11 weeks you can still see right through your baby's skin. In fact, your baby's skin will remain paper thin throughout much of your pregnancy, until you come closer to term. If you were to look directly at your baby during pregnancy week 11 you could see her blood vessels through the skin. By this point in time your little one should be able to open and close her fists, and is starting to form little buds that will one day pop out as teeth!

By pregnancy 11 weeks your baby's fingers and toes have lost their amphibious like resemblance, now separated instead of webbed. Your little one is taking advantage of the huge space she is floating in by pregnancy 11 weeks, by kicking and squirming about. In the next three weeks your baby will go through a tremendous growth spurt, almost doubling in size. At no other time in your baby's life will she undergo as many rapid changes as are occurring during this stage of your pregnancy.

Your Growth and Development
You may be starting to show a bit by 11 weeks pregnant at this point (but not very much unless you have already had a baby). You are almost at the end of your first trimester by pregnancy at 11 weeks but you still may not look pregnant to onlookers, which some women find frustrating. Take comfort knowing that your uterus however is now just about big enough to fill your pelvis and is probably poking up above the middle of your pubic bone. Before you know it your tummy will pronounce to the whole world that you are pregnant!

Changes in You
By 11 weeks pregnant you should be feeling pretty pregnant, even if you don't look very pregnant. You might start to notice that your hair and fingernails start growing very rapidly. For some women this doesn't happen until closer to the third trimester, but others notice it right away. However, some women also find that their hair is more unruly than normal, so don't count on thick locks during pregnancy necessarily. If you have been suffering from terrible morning sickness, take heart knowing that in just another week or two you should start to feel remarkably better. Many women start gaining weight, about a pound per week during the second trimester, as they find their nausea subsiding.

You might be continuing to have mixed emotions about your pregnancy during pregnancy at 11 weeks. Many women find themselves tuning into parenting and health channels that talk about pregnancy. Keep your spirits up as much as possible as you follow your pregnancy week by week, and remember that shedding an occasional tear is perfectly normal and healthy.

Week 9

In this week, I still feel tired and no feeling eating anything. My tommy is gettin gbigger and bigger. I go back to teach and it is so hard to take a little rest in the afternoons. I still have long way to go. It is so hard to control morning sickness still.

I am hopping that my baby will turned out save and healthy that is the most important. Alan really wants a baby brother. I am hopping that this baby is a baby boy. If it is a baby boy, I will save a lot of money and I the baby could use all the old clothing of Alan.

Alan and I are so excited. He is a good boy, he goes with me to the doctor all the time.

According to the experts:

How am I feeling in these days?

In this 8th week of pregnancy, I feel morning sickness. Sometimes I feel very uncomfortable and sometimes I feel tirering. I do not feel eating anything. The bad side, it came out a lot of acne on my face. Nothing good on me now in these days.

I am getting fatter and fatter. Bring a new life into this world is not easy enough. I do not know how am I going to face the rest of 32 weeks.

Dr. told me I cannot stressed out, otherwise it is not good for my baby. Anyways, I have to take care of myself and my new baby.

Alan is so happy to be a big brother now. I must develop a healthy baby boy for my son, Alan.

Pregnancy Week 8 - The Period For Formation Of Four Chambers In Your Baby’s Heart

By this week, you get one whole inch of baby inside your womb. Finally, the little embryo reaches the one-inch mark. Know the changes that you observe in you and your baby here.
What are the physical changes that occur in your body during pregnancy week 8? Do you feel bloating? Bloating, heartburn and indigestion are the most common problems during the pregnancy.

A sluggish digestive process leads to cause these symptoms, thus making your bloodstream less likely to absorb the nutrients, which again passes to your baby [Pregnancy symptoms]. If the heartburn becomes annoying and makes it difficult for you to eat properly, then visit your doctor. He/she may recommend you antacid.

By the end of this week, your waistline slightly expands. There is a chance to appear pimples and some skin problems. You will experience mild cramping during the mid of first trimester and this will continue for some weeks. Cramping is usually mild and it does not cause any harm for you.

In this period, your fetus stretches and causes some discomfort over time. If you experience any cramping along with bleeding, make sure to contact your health care provider immediately.

By this time, you will experience lower back pain. This is the most common problem in almost all the pregnant women and it is due to the pressure of the uterus on the lower part of the spine.

In the buttocks and the side of your thighs also, you will get sharp pain. This is because of the pressure of the uterus on the sciatic nerve, which stimulates the buttocks and your leg sides. If you feel any trouble with these problems, then you need to take plenty of rest and physical therapy.

Care you need to take during pregnancy week 8:
Wear loose fitting clothes as possible as you can. You will get great relief from this.
Eat small and frequent meals.

Chew the food carefully and avoid consuming high fat foods. Do not try to take any medications without your doctor’s prescription [Prescription medications during pregnancy]. Purchase a supportive maternity bra if you have tough time with your sore breasts. Take plenty of rest and stay off your feet to get relief from abdominal cramping.

What are the changes that occur in the fetus during pregnancy week 8?
Your baby’s head becomes slightly big because of the rapid brain development. Upper limbs are similar to the paddles. The heart of the baby starts to break into four chambers. Blood circulation takes place throughout the body.

The formation of intestines takes place within the umbilical cord. Later this will migrate into abdominal cavity. The foot plates, with the slight beginning of toe rays, form within the next few days. By the end of this week, external ears will appear.

During this week, the cells, which become either ovaries or testes, will arrive. However, there will not be any sign of gender. The contractions of the muscles start, but these premature movements are not yet noticeable. There is a growth in the arms. Elbows and wrists start to appear clear. By pregnancy week 8, the lungs also work hard at maturing. The tubes, which are primary from the throat to the lungs, start to develop branches.

Facts about pregnancy week 8:
Good prenatal care is very much essential for the health and safe delivery of your baby. So, make sure that the prenatal appointments are the top priority.

Be aware of environmental factors, which lead to miscarriage as they have a great influence in carrying the pregnancy to term. Therefore, you need to do everything that can avoid exposure to harmful toxins and environmental hazards.

Week 8 (Baby's Heart Beat)

We woke up at 5:00 A.M. and we left Taichun, my grandma's house at 5:30 A.M. We arrived to Tainan city at 7:30 A.M. Luckily, we found free parking space. We parked and we walked to the Chi-Mei Hospital. It is not too far from the parking space and the hospital, it is just 5 minutes or less walking.

When I arrived to the hospital, I found a lot of people were waiting in line. I am not the fist early bird. Some people were earlier than me. At 8:00 A.M. nurse started to open the computer and they started the registration. Luckily, the doctor that I want was available for me.

After registration, I went to the maternity building which is located on the second floor. I put my medical insurance card over there and the nurse asked me some information. Nurse said 9:00 A.M. will start checking up with the doctor.

It is 8:45, I saw Dr. Wang coming from the other door. He was ready to see his first patient. After three minutes, he called his first patient to go inside. I am number 40 so now it is number 1, that means I have to wait for a long time.

After one hour and half of waiting, Dr. Wang called me to go inside. He put me in another ultrasound. I could see my baby. According to the doctor, I am in the 8th week and 6 days of pregnancy. That means I am two months and 6 days, wow!

At this week, the doctor checked baby's heart beat. He says my baby is developing very fine, its heart beat is just beautiful and normal. I am very glad to heard that. Also the Dr. treated me very kindly.

This Dr. even he seems very old, but I think he might have a lot of experience. I am glad that I choose the right Dr. for my maternity.

Week 7 - First Trimester

Your Baby This week your baby is undergoing some extraordinary changes and developments. The head, heart, spinal cord, and some of the larger blood vessels begin to form. As these blood vessels form, the heart begins to pump fluid through them, and your baby's first red blood cells are created. Your baby is about 7 - 9 mm or 0.27 - 0.35 inches in length, (approximately the size of a grain of rice), and weighs about 1/30 of an ounce - less than a breath mint Your baby's brain, bladder, tongue and esophagus are all developing and transforming, while his eyes are moving to the front of the face and his tiny eyelids are forming.

The bones of his tiny limbs have started to form and all of your baby's major organs - heart, intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs and pancreas -- are forming and growing. In fact, your baby actually goes through 3 sets of kidneys during development with this week's development, being the second set. Both the hand plates and the genital tubercle are present this week, but you can't tell whether it's a boy or a girl by sight at this point. Nasal pits are also forming. In your womb, your baby has already become active swimming around inside the amniotic sac and kicking.

However, as he's much too small and well-cushioned by the uterus and the new amniotic fluid you won't be able to feel him yet. But don't worry. In a few months you'll be able to feel him constantly.

Your Body
If you've ever had facial breakouts or acne, I'm sorry to say that you may get to experience this again. Due to the hormonal changes in your body, you may end up with a few breakouts over the next few weeks. It's okay though. Using a good, gentle facial cleanser and hypoallergenic make-up will keep these to a minimum. And these breakouts will go away either when you enter your second trimester or when you deliver. You may have either gained or lost a few pounds, but are not showing yet. The good news? Your pregnancy symptoms may start to decrease. While the heartburn, morning sickness and breast tenderness may continue, the backaches and headaches usually do subside at least a little after this week.

Pregnancy Symptoms You May Experience
Cramping: You may experience slight menstrual type cramps around the time you would normally be expecting your period. They should only last a day or so, and are usually moderate in nature. If the cramping should become severe, or if you have spotting, be sure to call your doctor and let them know.

Tender Breasts: Your nipples may appear darker, and more prominent. Be sure to wear a good support bra. You may require a larger cup size as your pregnancy advances.

Frequent Urination: You may find that you are making very frequent trips to the bathroom. This will continue throughout your pregnancy, but is usually not as bad during the 2nd trimester.

Week 7

I am week 7 of pregnancy. I went to another hospital and I chose the best doctor over there. This doctor is kind of old but he is very kind also very busy. I was number 47 and I was waiting for a long time. Finally, it is my turn, I went inside and the doctor said that he cannot help me to deliver my baby. He is very busy now.

I do not know where I want to go and see the doctor. Everybody says Sin-Lau is good but there's no doctor to choose from.

This doctor helped me to check the baby and he said the baby's heart beat is normal. I am relieved for now.

I have to go back next week, I do not know where I will go to see, if this doctor cannot see me.

It is an exiting week for a woman who is 6 week pregnant. Your baby’s first heartbeats have started in this week. By this weekend, your baby will be about 4-5 mm from CR (crown to rump).

This week is the beginning of the embryonic period. This embryonic period continues for ten weeks. This is a rapid growing week of your baby and in this week, most of the important growth takes place.

The baby’s brain also starts to develop and the activity can be monitored by electroencephalogram. The embryo that started developing in three layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) during fifth week continues to grow in the sixth week.

In this sixth week, your baby will have head and trunk and the baby starts to develop facial features as indentation that will turn into eyes, ears, and mouth. The inner ear also starts to develop during your 6 week pregnant. The laryngotracheal groove develops and also the opening for the mouth and digestive system will begin to form.

During this period, bulging of the heart takes place as well as baby begins to have blood circulation. Upper and lower limb buds start to appear and the primordia of the pancreas, liver, stomach, and lungs.

If you have ultrasound when you are 6 week pregnant, the baby’s heartbeat is visible as the heart is bulging and transvaginal ultrasound shows up to eighty-six percent of heart motion and hundred percent yolk sacs.

In this week, you will need to take care of yourself as you have chances of having miscarriage. You may find many changes in your body.

The size of the uterus will be changed and also you will notice changes in your breasts. The changes in breasts include tingling sensation of the breast, breast tenderness, darkening of areola, and breast heaviness.

You might have gained some weight by this week. Morning sickness is the most common problem in some women.

If you have experienced such problem when you are 6 week pregnant, you may lose weight and you may experience this at anytime. It can be either during the day or night. During this week, your nausea and headache may even get worse.

During 6 week pregnant, the pregnancy hormone that measures the human chorionic gonadotropin levels are enough that urine test will confirm your pregnancy at this point.
Avoid drinking alcohol [Fetal Alcohol Syndrome], smoking cigarettes, and also taking drugs if you have not stopped yet, as this week is the most important week for your baby’s development and such things may effect your baby’s development.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the problems during pregnancy, which not only affects you, but also your newborn. Since neural tube will start to form at your six week pregnant, take folic acid in order to prevent spinal cord defects.

Week 6

Now, I am week 6 of pregnancy. I went to the doctor today and the doctor checked everything that it needed to check. I saw my baby and its heart beat. It is a size of the grain with heart beat. According to the doctor, the baby seems ok. He wants me to go back in two weeks.

I am Pregnant

Six weeks of pregnancy, I did not know. When am I pregnant? This is a very good question. If I knew I am pregnant, I would not take a lot of medications. I do not know how my baby will come out. I am very worried.

At end of May, David bought me a pregnancy test. I tested and it came out negative. Now, my baby is changing and I felt different, so I decided to test myself again. However, at this time it too late.

I am happy to have this baby. Alan is also very happy about it. I am just hopping that this baby will come out normal and healthy. I need to find a doctor and make an appointment with him.