24 weeks

We are now 24 weeks and 3 days. I am feeling Baby K moving more frequently now. We use a fetal doppler to listen to the baby's heart beat and movements about once a week. Supposedly, our baby's nose, mouth, and chin are distinct now and eyebrows are now visible. Our baby's bones are growing harder and stronger because they are storing calcium now (maybe that is why I am craving milk...chocolate milk...every day???!!!). When I push on my abdomen, I get a response from Baby K nine times out of ten. Loud noises are beginning to cause a stir in the belly too! Our baby's lungs are getting stronger every day preparing for his/her first breath. Within the next few weeks, our baby will be estimated at 10 inches in length and one and a half pounds in weight per the baby magazines. Isn't that amazing?? The next 3 months will allow the baby to put on more weight and have lung maturity. I am feeling well except for a return of fatigue due to restless nights with increasing heartburn and low back pain. Our next appointment will be on July 8...stay tuned!

Week 21 Ultrasound

Here is our ultrasound for Week 21! Turn up the volume of your computer so you can hear the heart beat. The tech measures the rate but the writing is very small. The fetal heart rate is 150 beats per minute. You will clearly see the arms, hands, legs kicking and head. The face is covered by the hands and Baby K eventually changed position with his/her face facing my back, so we could not get a visual of the facial outline. I am now feeling so much more movement and today even felt a few possible kicks! Baby K's estimate weight is 14 ounces (based on head circumference, leg length, and abdomen circumference). I wish I had gained only 14 ounces during this pregnancy; however, mother nature does not work this way!