Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.) A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.) Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).
Things otherwise are well. We started cleaning up what will be Zachary's room last weekend (boy do we have a lot of stuff to organize, donate, etc.!!) Kim can feel Zachary kick quite often now and Stephen thinks he may have felt the baby move a little bit last night for the very first time. It's a bit early, but it could happen! We go back to the doctor next Thursday for a check-up (and will hopefully get to see our amazing little boy).
Love to all and we'll write more next week!
P.S. Last week the baby was the size of a "heirloom tomato."
No comments:
Post a Comment