Look at that face. Kind of looks like a Billy, doesn't he? Over the past four weeks, he has quadrupled in weight and is now moving enough to be felt with some regularity. Last night, as a matter of fact, Antoinette was laying with her hand on her belly and felt the first real "kick" that didn't feel like fluttering. We tried to coerce him into duplicating that feat so I could feel, but of course, this was an issue of comfort, not performance, so we had little luck. As movements increase, Antoinette will soon realize if the baby is awake or asleep simply by the way he feels in there. Lung development makes a substantial leap this week as the little guy's lungs kick into gear. They are immature and underdeveloped, so he'll begin stretching them out as he begins to "breath" amniotic fluid. The constant inflation and deflation of the lung tissue from now until birth will help strengthen the respiratory system so it can be fully functional at birth and he can let rip that telltale cry we are all listening for. Hearing is improved yet again and he can now easily hear all uterine sounds internally and even pick up Mom's voice a bit clearer than before.
At the moment, Billy's organs and internal structures are all in place, so he begins a period of simple growth that will dramatically increase his size over the next several weeks. Also, we usher in the first appearance of meconium, which is a dark green substance consisting of cell loss and partially digested amniotic fluid, mixed with some digestive secretions from the rudimentary digestive system. In other words, its the first baby poop.
This week, a Mom's weight gain should kick into high gear and Antoinette can expect a half to a full pound of weight gain per week. Itching can begin to affect Mom as a result of fluctuating PH levels, as well, and Antoinette has been experiencing this a bit, too. Water intake becomes crucial as the baby's movements will slow if his Mother is not taking in proper fluid levels.
We will begin working on the baby room a bit this weekend, possibly getting it painted, so that may be the updated picture on Sunday/Monday to close out Week 20. Have a good weekend, everyone.
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