13 Weeks

How far along: 13 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a kiwifruit
Total weight gain/loss: - 4kg
Stretch marks: None
Maternity clothes: None
Sleep: Some nights I get a few hours and others I'm out of it for up to 11! 
Food cravings or aversions:  Still battling heartburn but I've definitely got my appetite back. Next to no nausea or belching, so maybe it's true about the second trimester being the best.
Gender: Too early to tell (but I have a feeling it's a ...)
Movement: None
Belly button: Innie
Exercise: Still on strict pelvic rest so not doing much of anything except lying on my back
Diet:  Trying to eat healthy foods, although I did have a moment of weakness with a big bowl of pasta followed by chunky chocolate cheesecake for dessert
What I'm loving: My growing bump and hearing bub's heartbeat at home using our new Doppler
What I'm not loving: The bumps all over my face
What I miss: Sexy time with my man... been 3 long months!
Sickness and symptoms:  Round ligament pain
Notes:  I'm now into the second trimester!

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 13

Your Baby

How big is my baby?
This week you baby is approximately 65-78mm (2.6-3.1 inches) long and weighs about 14-20 grams (0.5-0.7 ounces).  
This week your baby starts to grow rapidly, and his/her body is now growing faster than the head. Maturation of the tissues and organs continues. The heart is beating at about twice the rate of a normal adult heart and can be detected by using an ultrasonic device or Doppler.

Nuchal Translucency Scan

Words can't describe how relieved, happy and blessed we felt at our Nuchal Translucency Scan today. We had some concerns beforehand, of course the health of our baby was one, but also the sub-chorionic hemmorhage and cervical length as well. Seems we had nothing to worry about because everything, including our beautiful baby, looked perfect.

James and I, along with the ultrasound technician, laughed as our little one did somersaults, kicked its very long legs, waved its hands and flipped upside down. Measuring just over 5cm and with a heartbeat of 169bpm, bub was right on target. The nuchal thickness was only 1.4mm, well within normal limits, and the nasal bones were visualised. Still need the official blood results to confirm, but based solely on this scan our baby has a very low risk of Down Syndrome or any other chromosomal abnormalities. Such a relief! We got a good look at baby's 'bits' as it wasn't shy about spreading its legs haha. But it's probably too early to say for sure, so will have to hold off a little longer on the baby clothes shopping spree.

The sub-chorionic hemmorhage was seen and thankfully has reduced significantly since the last scan, and my cervix was of normal length so at this stage we have nothing to worry about.

Here are some of the ultrasound photos of our beautiful baby. The blurry ones are action shots, as bub barely sat still the entire time.

12 Weeks

So excited that we've made it to 12 weeks. I can finally see a baby bump and am nearly at the end of the first trimester. Can't wait to see bub at our Nuchal Translucency Scan later today.

How far along: 12 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a plum
Total weight gain/loss: - 3kg
Stretch marks: None
Maternity clothes: None
Sleep: Having weird dreams which wake me in the middle of the night
Food cravings or aversions:  Getting my appetite back slowly but battling heartburn
Gender: Too early to tell (but I have a feeling it's a ...)
Movement: None
Belly button: Innie
Exercise: Still on strict pelvic rest so not doing much of anything except lying on my back
Diet:  Almost back to eating 3 meals a day, although nowhere near as much as I used to
What I'm loving:  My growing bump
What I'm not loving:  The bumps all over my face
What I miss: Sexy time with my man... been 3 long months!
Sickness and symptoms: Nausea and round ligament pain
Notes:  Get to see baby at the Nuchal Translucency Scan this afternoon!

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 12

 

 

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

Your baby is approximately 60mm (2.5 inches) in length and weighs between 9 and 14 grams (0.3-0.5 ounces). The baby is moving about a lot but is still too small for you to be aware of the movements.

From this week onwards your baby is recognisable as a human being and is now called a fetus as opposed to an embryo. Now, or close to this time, you should be able to hear your baby's heartbeat with a Doppler (a special listening device).

The fingers and toes develop, and nails and teeth are beginning to form. The skeletal system, which began developing earlier, now has centres of bone formation (ossification) in most bones. The external genital organs are growing. The amount of amniotic fluid is increasing.

The nervous system has continued to develop, and the digestive system is now capable of making the contractions that process food.

11 Weeks

While it may only be small, there's no denying I have a baby bump. Much more noticeable when I'm naked but nobody needs to see that!

 

 

 

How far along: 11 weeks

How big is baby: Size of a fig
Total weight gain/loss: - 2.5kg
Stretch marks: None
Maternity clothes: None
Sleep:  Had a massage yesterday which helped relieve my sore neck and shoulders, so I actually got a full night's sleep for a change
Food cravings or aversions: Nausea hasn't been as bad but my appetite is still M.I.A
Gender: Too early to tell (but I have a feeling it's a ...)
Movement: None
Belly button: Innie
Exercise:  Still on strict pelvic rest so not doing much of anything except lying on my back
Diet: Eating small but healthy snacks 3-4 times per day
What I'm loving: Hair is thicker, boobs are bigger
What I'm not loving: My skin resembles that of a teenager who's just hit puberty :/
What I miss: The days when my only skin 'blemishes' were freckles
Sickness and symptoms: Nausea and round ligament pain
Notes: Can't wait to see our baby at the Nuchal Scan next week!

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 11

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

Your baby is approximately 44-60mm (1.75-2.4 inches) long and weighs about 8 grams (0.3 ounces). Rapid growth occurs during this time period, so it's not surprising that you're feeling tired!

The head is still large, and takes up almost half of the entire length of the body. The eyes are formed, although the eyelids remain closed while they continue to develop. The rest of the face is also formed. Your baby's body has straightened out, and bones and ribs appear.

Although your baby can now respond to touch, you won't yet be able to feel it move. Nutrients pass from your body into the placenta and umbilical cord to feed your baby and support his/her rapid growth.

Ultrasound 10 weeks 4 days

Today we saw Dr Naguesh, our Obstetrician, to check on baby's progress and we're relieved and happy to report that everything looked perfect. Bub was measuring right on target at 10 weeks 4 days, 3.71cm and had a strong heartbeat of 168bpm. We got to hear it thumping away and it was very special for James who had never heard it before today. Our little one didn't stop wiggling around and waving its arms and legs the entire time but we did manage to get a few photos in the end. Dr Naguesh also had a look at the sub-chorionic hemmorhage inside the uterus and was pleased to see it was much smaller than the last ultrasound so that's a good sign. Our next ultrasound will be for the Nuchal Translucency to test for abnormalities in 2 weeks.

10 Weeks

How far along: 10 weeks

How big is baby: Size of a date
Total weight gain/loss: - 2.5kg
Stretch marks: None
Maternity clothes: None
Sleep: Still getting up once a night but otherwise sleeping well
Food cravings or aversions:  Loved my Christmas lunch of roast turkey and vegetables so much that I had it the next day for dinner as well
Gender: Too early to tell
Movement: None
Belly button: Innie
Exercise:  I'm on strict pelvic rest due to hemmorhage so not doing much of anything
Diet: Eating small but healthy snacks 3-4 times per day
What I'm loving: I'm nearing the end of the first trimester
What I'm not loving: Sore boobies, hormonal breakouts and sleepless nights
What I miss: Ehrmmm... sex. It's been over 2 months!
Sickness and symptoms: Nausea, slight cramping, occasional heat and numbness in right leg
Notes: Baby has gone from being an embryo to a fetus

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 10

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

This week your baby is between 31 and 42mm (1.25 - 1.68 inches) in length and weighs approximately 5 grams (0.18 ounces).

All organs are now present and most major structures have been formed. As your baby becomes fully formed, its weight gain will rapidly increase and its structures will continue to grow and develop to maturity. The head is still large compared to the rest of the body, but the body begins to lengthen and straighten.

Although your baby can now respond to touch, you won't yet be able to feel it move. Nutrients pass from your body into the placenta and umbilical cord to feed your baby and support his/her rapid growth.

9 Weeks

How far along:  9 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a grape
Total weight gain/loss: - 2kg
Stretch marks: None
Maternity clothes: None
Sleep:  Surprisingly good. Only getting up once to use the bathroom.
Food cravings or aversions:  I'm nauseous until my medication kicks in and then can manage a few mouthfuls of each meal or on a good day can polish off the entire plate!
Gender: Too early to tell
Movement: None
Belly button: Innie
Exercise:  I'm on strict pelvic rest due to hemmorhage so not doing much of anything
Diet: Eating small but healthy snacks 3-4 times per day
What I'm loving: Being pregnant again and having thick shiny hair that doesn't fall out
What I'm not loving: Nausea
What I miss: My appetite and the ability to eat whatever I wanted
Sickness and symptoms: Nausea and feeling tired

Notes: Hoping the sub-chorionic hemmorhage stops and sorts itself out

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 9

 

Your Baby

How big is my baby?

At the start of week 9 your baby is approximately 22-30mm (0.9 - 1.2 inches) from crown to rump.
Your baby's neck region is becoming more defined and developed, enabling lifting and turning of the now rounded head. The eyes are still forming, and while tiny, they are now covered by eyelids (they were exposed until this stage). The eyes will then remain closed for a large part of your pregnancy. Tiny external ears are still forming and are visible. The nasal passages are opened this week, and the tongue starts to form (although the mouth is still just a flat line on the surface). Your baby's organs are also forming.

First visit with Obstetrician

Today was my first visit with Dr Naguesh, our Obstetrician. He took really good care of us last time so it was only natural that we wanted him to manage this pregnancy too. The ultrasound showed our precious little one, measuring 8 weeks 2 days, and with a strong heartbeat of 172bpm. We're booked in for another scan in 2 weeks so will keep our fingers crossed that all goes well until then.

8 Weeks

How far along: 8 weeks
How big is baby: Size of a raspberry
Total weight gain/loss: - 1.5kg
Stretch marks: None
Maternity clothes: None
Sleep: Getting up a couple times each night to use the bathroom but otherwise sleeping well
Food cravings or aversions: Nauseous almost all day and can only manage a few mouthfuls of each meal (hence the weight loss)
Gender: Too early to tell
Movement: None
Belly button: Innie
Exercise:  I'm on strict pelvic rest due to hemmorhage so not doing much of anything
Diet: Eating small but healthy snacks 3-4 times per day
What I'm loving: Being pregnant again
What I'm not loving: Nausea
What I miss: My appetite and the ability to eat whatever I wanted without the risk of it coming up after the first mouthful

Sickness and symptoms: Nausea and feeling tired

Notes: Can’t wait to see our little one again at this Friday's ultrasound

Weekly Guide to Pregnancy: Week 8

Your Baby

How big is my baby?
Your baby is approximately 14-20mm (0.56 - 0.8 inches) in length and continues to grow quickly.

What changes are happening with my baby this week?
The head is large compared with the rest of the body and your baby's face is beginning to take shape (forehead, nose, cheeks, upper and lower jaw and lip and chin are forming). Eye muscles and eyelids have emerged, and by the end of the week the nasal passages have formed and the nose tip is visible. The internal and external parts of the ear are also forming. Ear openings are present, and the middle ear (hearing and balance) is there, but hearing is not yet possible for your baby. The arms continue to grow longer, and bend at the newly formed elbow. Fingers and toes formed as notches on the hands and feet. The valves in the heart that started forming last week can now be distinguished as the aorta and pulmonary valves. Lungs are developing and the bronchi are branching out. The skeleton has also started to form.

8 weeks with a big scare

Last night was the scariest experience of my life. I had severe cramping and heavy bleeding for around 6 hours. I passed a few very large clots and feared I was miscarrying. James and I cried ourselves to sleep, fearing the worst. The next morning we had a scheduled scan that we nearly cancelled, but ended up going along to, just to confirm the loss really. Well it turns out we saw much more than we expected. Firstly, we saw an active sub-chorionic hemmorhage. And then... our baby. Alive and well. With a strong heartbeat and measuring 8 weeks. To say we were shocked is an understatement. I remember looking at James, wide-eyed and in total disbelief, but feeling like I'd just won the lottery. We felt so lucky that our little one had survived such an ordeal and seemed happy and healthy.

Baby on the left, hemmorhage on the right

Baby had a strong heartbeat of 155bpm