Week 13
Hello little baby!
Well, we are now officially in the second trimester. Each day, I can imagine you growing and becoming more like a baby now.
I know that you are the size of a small lemon now, and I can believe it. My belly is definitely getting bigger and Daddy and I are going to have a special pic taken of us and then add your latest scan pic to it. This is how we are going to let the Granny and Grandpas and cousins all know you are here with us. I know they are going to be soooo excited. You are going to be so loved, all lemon size of you!
I am now feeling so much more energetic. Yesterday I woke up and started getting ready for my day, and then I realised I don’t feel nauseous anymore! I was beyond relieved that I am one of the lucky ones, because some moms to be still feel nauseous for weeks to come. And that’s quite normal.
My friend who is pregnant with twins is still nauseous, but she is starting to feel better. She looks so cute with her preggy belly now. She has shown so much quicker, which is also normal.
Even though we have gained some weight in our first trimesters, it’s not you, or her two babies, that are really registering any of our weight gain yet. It’s mostly from our breasts, uterus and some tissue growth to allow the energy for you to grow. A weight-gain for a mom with a normal BMI of 18.5 -24.9 is around 11-16 Kgs. It all depends on mom’s stature and genetics of course, and the final weight of the baby at term. My twin friend is allowed to gain.
Now that I have some energy, I have joined a Pregnancy Yoga class to help strengthen my pelvic floor and improve my posture for when you are much bigger and heavier. I go for a walk in the late afternoon to keep fit for labour and the endorphins help me to relax and sleep well at night.
Hello my Mommy,
Well, I am just growing in the most unbelievable rate in here! I am starting to practice breathing and even get hiccups. I have taste buds and can begin to appreciate what you had for dinner through the amniotic fluid. I can hear you and Daddy talking and laughing. My kidneys have started to function and my bone marrow has started producing white blood cells so I can protect myself from infection. My pancreas, gallbladder and thyroid have started developing. I am 7.4 cm long. I am now measured from my head (crown) to my feet. I weigh 23g!
Week 14
Hello little baby,
So we are entering into the “Honeymoon Phase” i.e. the second trimester. I am feeling relaxed, energetic and starting to definitely look pregnant. I am so excited and so many people are happy for us that you are coming. I am soooo hungry so I guess you must need some extra energy inside there? It’s quite normal and even though I am eating well and know that there is no need to “eat for two” as that can make me gain excess weight which could make me a risk factor for something called Gestational Diabetes or Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension. So a good balance of eating well and exercise is on the cards. Eating around 300 extra calories a day is plenty. My hair is thicker and shinier and my nails are growing so easily. Feeling really good! I take my pregnancy vitamins as prescribed and that also helps with my energy levels.
Hello Mommy!
Well, I am just peachy this week. I am the size of a peach and 8.7 cm and 43 g.! Look how much weight I packed on this last week. So thanks for the good diet out there.
I have a new skill now that the roof of my mouth is fully formed and I can start sucking! I really enjoy it and it will help my cheeks fill out.
My face is like a real baby now. My ears moved up from my neck area and are sitting on either side of my head. My eyes were on the side, and have moved to the front. I am no longer curled up like a cooked prawn and can stretch out. My head is now in more proportion to my body. It was outpacing my body but now that is catching up this week. My legs are still short, but my arms will grow nicely this week. That’s why I can now reach my mouth and suck my thumb!
I can wiggle around and sometimes Mommies who have had a baby before may recognize my little movements.
I have started to grow my lanugo which is fine baby hair, like down, on my body.
My intestines have moved into my abdomen, my liver and spleen are functioning. My pancreas is producing insulin.
Basically all my organs are in place and starting to function.
Been a good week!
Pregnancy tips
Carry on with exercise. Listen to your body. Round ligaments are stretching now and can easily be pulled, and that is quite sore.
Watch for and report any urinary tract infections.
It is normal for you and Daddy to feel relaxed and sexy around now. It’s quite safe and I feel close to you when your love hormones are all up and running there….
Our Diary of a Pregnancy series is written by Sr Des Meyer, a Perinatal Educator, in private practice, who is based in Durban North. Sr Des has been a Childbirth Educator and Well Baby Clinic sister since 1991. Her passion lies in educating new parents to enable them to achieve their goals as confident parents. “Knowledge is power and a good foundation for the exciting years ahead.”
