Last of the First!!!

Today is not only Antoinette and I's second anniversary, it also marks the beginning of the LAST week of the FIRST trimester, week 13. By the end of this week, the baby should be a bit under 3 inches in length, or about as long as my ring finger, and will weigh a bit over a half ounce or so. Fetal growth continues to be astounding. At this point, hormones are flowing at a steady rate, which should lead to an easing of many of Antoinette's symptoms in the next week or two. She'll be happy to have her energy back. That much I'm sure of. Also, the sockets of all of the teeth are formed and vocal cords have begun to develop.

I've attached one of the pictures of the ultrasound. Sorry, but our scanner doesn't work with Windows Vista, so you'll have to make due with a photo that's loaded up. The black tube is the uterus and the baby is resting at the bottom of it in the picture. The head is to the left, the body is in the middle, and the legs are tucked up pressing on the bottom. During the ultrasound, this little rascal was kicking, bouncing, spinning, twisting, and punching his Mother like crazy in there. Imagine that shape flipping all over the place!!!!

Due to the nature of the picture, remember that you can click on it directly to get a much larger version that has more detail and can be zoomed into.

Week 12 Wrap Up w/ Doctor Visit Update...

Well, tomorrow marks the beginning of the final week of first trimester, week 13. To mark the conclusion of week 12, Antoinette and I took a visit to the doctor's office today. The tests were routine first trimester prescreening tests for chromosomal and genetic disorders. At the visit, they started with a pin prick of Antoinette's middle finger and took five drops of blood to send to the lab, results due back in 5 days. Each of the drops would be used to test for a genetic disorder.

Next, we headed into a private room where they propped Antoinette up on a seat that reclined, gelled her belly, and began an external ultrasound (our first of this type). On a 35"+ plasma TV on the wall, the image was projected of the baby inside of Antoinette's uterus. Well, this was a stark contrast to our visit a couple weeks ago. On that visit (scroll down a couple weeks to see the blurry image of the baby), the little one looked much like a cucumber with flippers laying against an internal wall in there. There was little to no movement except for a beating heart. This time, this baby looked like a fully developed human being, in the sense of having full arms and legs, a head and a rapidly beating heart. The baby was active as can be, bouncing around, flipping, kicking, reaching, and sliding around in there. It was shocking. We also got to hear the heartbeat for the first time, not just see it like last time.

The purpose of the ultrasound was to test for Down Syndrome by measuring the skin fold on the back of the baby's neck. An enlarged skin fold can indicate an increased risk of Down Syndrome. They also look for a fully developed facial bone structure because an undeveloped nose can also indicate Down Syndrome. Our baby tested negative for both, so we're in very good shape. They measured the crown to rump length, tested the heart with a special screen on the ultrasound, and measured the heart rate at 179 beats per minute. All signs are healthy. So much so that we don't have to go back again for another 7 weeks.

Lastly, they tried to check for a gender so we could get working on some names, but were unsuccessful. Its still a bit early for that and the baby would need to be in the perfect position to be able to ascertain. Needless to say, the baby was not cooperative, so we are left in the loop for awhile longer. On November 21st, the Friday before Thanksgiving week, we will learn the baby's gender and the search for the perfect name will begin.

We were having some camera troubles and I left the ultrasound pictures at work like an idiot, so I'm going to leave you with a picture from Week 13, which starts tomorrow.

Doctor Visit on Par for Tomorrow...

Antoinette and I will make our second trip to the doctor tomorrow morning. This time it is to have a little routine blood work done. They will test for a number of things, so rather than listing them all here, I'll simpy update you with an "All Clear" or whatever the tests reveal. So far, Antoinette's pregnancy has been issue free with minimal symptoms. We hope to keep it that way.

Recapping some more on Week 12, as we continue to move toward its conclusion and the conclusion of the 1st trimester, its good to note that the majority of the baby's biological structures have formed at this point. There are very few that will form from here on out. The remaining issues are development and growth. The baby's skeletal system is well on its way to filling the baby's body, as most of the bones have visible formation. The baby's digestive system has begun making its first contractions that will push food through the bowels when the baby is born and can already break down simple sugars. The pituitary gland is online and is functioning as the body's central hormone producing factory. With a Doppler, we should be able to actually hear, and not just see, the baby's heartbeat. I'll let you all know if that's the case tomorrow.

While this week was supposed to be the week that Antoinette began to feel better due to hormone levels peaking and the body adjusting, the reverse is actually true. This past weekend was the worst of her pregnancy. The primary reason, we believe, is that there is an illness going around her office (which is like a large closet with a half dozen nurses crammed into it). The cold/flu type symptoms, without the ability to take anything for it other than Tylenol, have led to a fun and exciting weekend of discomfort. Since this is Antoinette's first pregnancy, she may not noticeably begin to see her belly push out substantially for another week or so, or it could begin any day. On Monday, we'll get out another belly pic of her for everyone with an update on the doctor visit as we put the finishing touches on that first pesky trimester.

Week 12 & I've Got a Surprise!!!!

Be sure to read this whole post for the surprise at the end.

Yesterday began week 12 and our baby has now grown to the size of a man's thumb in both length and width. In just 3 weeks, the baby has doubled in size, is continuing to look a lot more human, and with stimulation from an outside source, would even squint, open its mouth, and wiggle its little fingers and toes. Antoinette's uterus is reaching maximum pelvic capacity, which means after this week, her belly will finally begin to push out as the baby has run out of room in there and her pictures should start looking a bit different from week to week. At this point, the baby's skin is very sensitive and its reflexes have begun to develop. With a fully functional brain, the baby can now feel pain, suck its own thumb, and even squirm around with kicking and jerking arms and legs. Still too soon for Antoinette to feel, the baby has a couple weeks before the first solid kick impacts Mom's belly (feeling like a butterfly, I've been told). Eyelids fully cover the highly sensitive optic nerves, and will remain sealed shut until week 30-32.

Now for your treat. I'm attaching a video clip of a baby at 11 weeks pregnant (9 weeks from conception) inside of the Mother's womb. You are going to get your first close up, for just 26 seconds, of what this little one looks like at this point. This is actually one of the most fascinating things I have ever seen. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q30ao8phNY&feature=related

Week 11 Winding Down...

Today is the last day our baby will be called an embryo. With all major body parts in the right places, for the most part, the baby has completed its embryonic phase of development and will be referred to as a fetus from this point forward. Another crucial milestone. Those finger and toe nails that began as specks in the beginning of this week are almost completely formed already. The external genitalia has begun to transform into that of a baby boy or that of a baby girl. That transformation will be complete within the next 3 weeks. The blood vessels leading to and from the placenta have increased dramatically in size over the last couple of weeks as the baby's thirst for additional nutrients from Antoinette grows as fast as everything else. The ears are continuing their transition from the back of the head to the side of the head. The intestines are growing and man, there's a whole lot of that stuff to grow. As a matter of fact, there is so much intestine, that at this phase of development, they have begun to push into the umbilical cord. As the baby's abdomen continues to grow, the intestines will eventually get pulled back where they belong, in about a week or two. And now for the gross part. The urinary system is now functioning. The swallowing mechanism is now functioning. In a closed liquid environment, you get the idea. The good news is that the baby is basically just recycling amniotic fluid as its systems work through the paces and it begins practicing a vital technique for the future. The baby is kicking and grasping now, but Antoinette can't feel it yet. Not for another couple weeks. All organ systems are functioning and will continue to grow stronger and more efficient over the remainder of the pregnancy. If we're lucky and she feels up to it, Antoinette will provide the next update so you can all hear from her own mouth how she is feeling at this stage of pregnancy. Here's her Week 11 picture. Look at that smile!!! What a trooper!!!

Week 11 Begins & We're All Caught Up!!!!

During this week, the baby will continue to grow at an incredible rate. At the end of the week, he/she will be about the size of a small lime and be approximately 2 inches in length, crown to rump, or about the size and shape of your big toe!!! Over the next three weeks, we'll see an incredible growth spurt as the baby will double in length. Lugging around that massive brain must be difficult as the baby's head is 1/2 the size of its body now. A little top heavy. As Mom approaches the end of the 1st trimester, her internal changes are happening at a slower rate than the baby's. Her uterus has nearly filled Antoinette's pelvis and soon will be able to be felt through the abdomen. During this week, the baby's movement and kicking will increase as the muscle tissue develops and grows denser, but Mom will not be able to feel it for a few more weeks. Antoinette could begin showing new physical symptoms like increased hair and nail growth and her body temperature is likely to rise making her feel warmer as her blood volume has sufficiently increased. Here is a close up of what the little bugger looks like if you were able to peak inside and look around, but you have to use your imagination to picture the little arms jerking and the legs kicking from time to time. The baby is transitioning from embryo to fetus.

Wrapping Up Week 10!!!!

Week 10 is complete in three hours and from a developmental standpoint, a key milestone has been achieved. As of the completion of this week, the baby's mucles should have developed to the point where the baby has begun to move for the first time. The nerves and other organs are continuing their development, as well. Despite those eyes being fully developed now, the baby's eyelids won't open until week 27. The earlobes are tiny, but present, and the mouth, nose, and nostrils have become more distinct. The placenta has reached a developmental moment, too. For the first time, it is capable of producing the full allotment of the baby's required hormones on its own. The baby is swallowing up a storm and kicking away. The liver has begun producing red blood cells on its own and finger and toe nails are beginning to appear. The limbs can now bend and those limbs are becoming coated with a fine layer of peach fuzz hair. Within a week or two, the baby will double in size again and be nearly 3 inches in length, crown to rump. Tomorrow starts week 11 and we'll get you some pictures of what that looks like. Here's the picture of Mom on Week 10 (sorry its so late arriving!!!).

Week 10 update!!!!

So, we're past the half way point of week 10 and at this point, the baby is continuing to develop at a very rapid pace. At the end of this week, the baby will be about the size of a small plumb. The baby's entire body has essentially begun to develop. Every organ, every bone, every feature. They are all set in place at this point and now just need to continue to grow. With the fingers and toes completely apart, the hands and feet are the most distinguishable as they have ever been. The baby has developed tooth buds and now has a sense of taste. Among the most amazing facts is that the baby's brain development is at a rate of 250,000 neurons per minute. Wow!!! The embryonic heart is fully developed and is a complete four chamber organ now. We say embryonic because the baby is not technically a fetus yet. While the genitalia are not distinguishable as male or female yet, if it is male, then the organ has begun producing and injecting testosterone into the embryo.

Doctor Visit Milestone!!!!

Yesterday was Antoinette and I's first doctor visit. It was a crucial one because they would be looking for that first heartbeat that confirms that the fertilized egg had properly attached to the internal wall and was developing on schedule. A failure to do so, and therefore, an inability to detect a heartbeat, typically spells a failed pregnancy. Sure enough, we had a winner. The little guy/girl is in there, developing away right on schedule. We saw the heartbeat and it was fluttering away like you wouldn't believe. Its tough to imagine sometimes, but that sight brings a tear to your eye as it all becomes just a little more real. One more hurdle crossed. Chances of bad news are reduced from 20% to 3% with the detection of a heartbeat. Next hurdle is one month out. If we break through the 1st trimester, which would be in three weeks, detected at our doctor visit in four weeks, our chances of bad news are reduced further to below 1%, but this hurdle was pretty big and I'm ecstatic!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, this blob that I'm posting is the ultrasound picture. The heavy black circle is where the baby lives right now, which is the expanding uterus. The oval shaped gray object laying against one of those walls is the baby. At this point, the baby is approximately 1.25 inches in length, crown to rump. About 1/3 of the way down is where the heart, in an active picture, is fluttering in the baby's chest, detected as a faint rapid flicker on the ultrasound screen. Sometime tomorrow, I will update this again with internal pictures of what a baby looks like at this point and with plenty more info on its development, followed by an updated picture of Mom and how her little belly bump is growing so you can all continue to enjoy this journey with us. We love you all.

Last Entry for Week 9!!!

And its a belly pic for Antoinette!!! Hurray!!! Antoinette has been feeling more pregnant than normal this week with a lot of increased symptoms including a tinge more of that dreaded nausea than in previous weeks. We continue to pray for her comfort. At least I do anyway. As we wrap up week 9, we learn a couple of additional new things about this week and pregnancy in general. For instance, Antoinette's overall circulatory system will change dramatically and her total blood volume will increase by 50%. Want to know why she's so tired? You try making an extra 4 liters of blood in a couple months. Oh, some of you already have done that. Well, then you can relate, right? Its exhausting. Her blood volume has begin to rise dramatically and will continue all the way through the full 40 weeks to term. The additional plasma often triggers temporary anemia leading to fatigue and weakness. Her uterine walls have increased dramatically in size and capacity at this point as her reproductive system literally continues building the home for the baby around the developing fetus. The sheer biological response triggered by a tiny little attached speck 7 weeks ago is quite amazing. Do any of you notice the bump yet? Look out abs of steel, we've got a toddler coming in. Look at that smile. My wife is quite the trooper and with each passing week, its easy to see how amazing a woman she truly is. She glows...

Development Continues at a Rapid Pace...

The baby's back is continuing to straighten out and its "tail" is shrinking, one day to become a tailbone. The baby's neck is developing well as it continues to support a massive brain (in proportion to the rest of the body) and head that makes up nearly 1/2 of the baby's total body mass. The baby's eyes are very well developed, but the baby has a membrane eyelid that is covering the entire eye at this point. It will be quite some time before they begin to open and close on their own. The baby begins to move this week as tiny little muscles are developing quickly, but it will be a little while before Antoinette will be able to feel those movements. The arms and hands have begun to develop at a faster rate than the legs and feet, as the remaining tissue between the somewhat defined finger ridges begins to break down and fall off, leaving completely individual digits. While this baby is clearly a boy or a girl at this point at a genetic level, the clearly visible genitalia is indistinguishable from that of either gender. For insurance purposes, we have been told that it may be 20 weeks before we are allowed to find that out, which we will be, of course. So we've got some time before we start painting rooms, but don't tell the future Mommy that. She's already got ideas swirling around in that big brain of hers.

And Then There Were Nine...

Weeks, that is. This is the final full week of development before our first doctor visit. That trip to the doctor is a milestone for the baby. We have talked about the heart beating for some time now, but that doctor visit will confirm it. When it does, the chances of miscarriage are reduced by about 80%. As you can imagine, we can't wait. So, in week nine, I'll give you a taste of what we've got going on. During week 9, the little one will increase in size by about 50% and the fetus will be about 1.4 - 1.5 inches in length (that's crown to rump). This is also the point where Antoinette's symptoms could begin to really showcase themselves as her hormone levels begin to peak. We'll see how that goes. So far, no sickness, but for some, that didn't show up until week 10. As always, I'll continue to update throughout the week. On Thursday, we'll get you a new belly pick, but you'll have to look close to see the bump!!!!

Some More Week 8 Info?

There was so much happening in Week 8 that we needed two full posts to get it all in there. How about a throat to lung connection, a longer and straighter torso, elbows and shoulders developing, longer arms and legs, and there is a much more developed umbilical cord that now has three distinct blood vessels. The main and central blood vessel brings fresh blood loaded with nutrients and is oxygen rich to the growing fetus, while the two auxiliary cords return the left overs back to the placenta. Still, with all of this fetal development, that kid has a giant head!!!! That melon takes up almost half of the baby's body mass and for Antoinette's sake, let's hope that ratio changes prior to birth!!!!

We're Cruisin' Now!!!

Seems like I was just posting week 7's completion and now we're already through week 8. Amazing. This picture is what this little one is looking like through 8 weeks. Remember that the baby is only about an inch in size, or about the size of your thumbnail. The growth is astounding. We've got eyelid folds and ears developing. There's a nose beginning to poke through and the eyes are continuing their journey to the front of the face. There are two very distinct valves of the heart pounding away, the pulmonary and aortic.