Weeks 30-31

Week 30 (16th August)

It feels like another milestone really. I have no idea where the time has gone really, it seems like only last month that we were trying.

Overall i've been feeling alright, same old stuff really, tired and got heartburn but hey, its just the joys of being pregnant and it'll all be worth it. Its been a good week overall, we went for our 2nd attempt at a 4D scan and it was just amazing! (see my other journal for more info and pics). It was the best scan i've ever had. This was my favourite picture, its my little man playing with his foot:

We also went shopping in High Wycombe this weekend which was good. We got a few more baby bits like some blankets, muslin squares and bits for my hospital bag. It makes me feel that little bit more prepared.

Our little man's lungs and digestive tract are almost fully developed. His growth in terms of length will soon slow down but he will continue to gain weight until he's born. He can open and shut his eyes. He can probably see what's going on inside my uterus, distinguish light from dark and even track a light source. Supposedly if i shine a light on my stomach, he might move his head to follow the light or even reach out to touch the moving glow.

Week 31, omg, only 9 to go!! (23rd August)

I find myself touching my belly more often now and sometimes its itchy, i guess thats just my skin stretching.

The only thing thats happened this week is that i went for my GTT. It was awful! I never ever wanna have another one if i can help it. The way my hospital do it, is cruel. I arrived just before 9, they took a vial of blood, then i had to drink the glucose solution which was just like fake fizzy lucozade. They then took vials 1 vial of blood at 9:30, 10, 10:30, 11. 11:30 and 12. They didn't put anything in my arm, she just used the needle thing each time. As i have bad veins, i only really have one good one that they can get my blood from so she took all 7 vials from the same place! OUCH!! She tried the other arm but didn't have much luck.

Bump pictures:

We also went out with some friends that i used to work with on saturday night which was lovely. I haven't seem them for a while and they seemed all excited about our little man too which was nice. We didn't get in until half 12! Way past my bed time. lol.

Our little man's legs and body continue to fill out and they are finally proportional in size to his head. He weighs about 1.5kg and looks more like a newborn. He measures about 41.1cm from crown to toe.

His organs are continuing to mature and he is passing water from his bladder. Also the bone marrow has taken over from the liver in producing red blood cells. This week marks an incredible milestone in his lung development too. Before now, the air sacs and branches in his lungs were present but not functional. His lungs were not able to inflate properly. However, now there is surfactant being produced in his lungs.prevents his lungs from collapsing outside of the uterus and the he is able to take in air and breathe properly. Awww!!

3/4D scan (11th August)

Wow! What a day. I am feeling so amazingly happy right now after going for my 4D scan this morning. Today was the 2nd attempt as at the last appointment he'd hid his head down in my pelvis and would not move, tried everything but he just wouldn't move at all, he was obviously very comfy.

The first attempt was on the 1st of August at 27 weeks and 6 days. We didn't get any pictures but we did get some measurements though:

Head Circum. - 25.34cm
Abdomen Circum. - 22.87cm
Femar Length - 5.04cm
Measuring at 28 2 days (3 days ahead) and weighing 2lb 9oz

We went to a place called Future Babies in Reading and it was great. The people there were absolutely lovely and we didn't have to pay anything extra for our 2nd appointment which was great.

Here are some pictures, i know some people will think these are a little scary but i love them.

Midwave:

Eating his hand:
Playing with his leg & foot:

Close up:He is still snuggled into the placenta, its almost as if he is using it as a pillow/blanket which makes it a bit harder to get fantastically clear pictures but hey, he's still my gorgeous little man.

The measurements for today were:

Head Circum - 26.99cm
Abdomen Circum - 26.10cm
Femar Length - 5.43cm
Measuring at 30 weeks, 5 days (i'm 29+2 today) according to my dates so 10 days ahead now) and he weighs about 3lb 8oz.

This was the best scan that i've ever had and well worth every penny! The DVD is just amazing.

Week 29 (9th August)

I went for my 28 week MW appointment on tuesday at 28+2 and she measured my belly, the first time she said it was 34cm, then she listened to the heartbeat and measured me again and it was 30cm. Weird! She asked me to get it remeasured when i saw the saw the consultant which was the next day. Everything else was absolutely fine, she took my blood to test the iron levels, thats about it really.
Went for my consultant appointment on wednesday and he didn't measure my belly, he wasn't concerned that it was measuring big as he said he wouldn't do anything about it at the moment anyway (hmmm, weird view in my eyes, he could of at least measured it as the mw requested!).
Oh well, he did say i had to have a Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) though, boooooo!!! Its booked in for 20th august when i'll be 30 weeks and 4 days.

Bump pictures:
My lower back has been really sore this week, it started on sunday and i could barely move let alone walk on monday, i stayed off work for 3 days and rested. Also i spoke to the mw and consultant about it and he told me that i could have some stronger pain killers that paracetamol which helped thank god!

Our little man weighs 1.1kg and measures about 38.6cm from head to toe. Head hair is beginning to grow and his testicles have descended from near the kidneys through the groin en route to the scrotum, awww! Truely a little man. lol.

Week 28 (2nd August)

Well we went for a 3/4D scan on the 1st of august (27+6) and our little man did not cooperate what so ever! He had his face down low and his hands up in front of his face. He would not move at all. We didn't get any pictures because of this but we did get the whole experience on a dvd. His measurements were:
Head Circum. - 25.34cm, Abdomen Circum. - 22.87cm
Femar Length - 5.04cm
Overall measured 28+2 (3 days ahead) and weighing 2lb 9oz.

We're going back on the 11th August to try again, please cooperate little man!!

At about this time, he can open his eyes and turn his head in my uterus if he notices a continuous, bright light shining from the outside. His brain continues to develop and is now forming the folds and grooves of a fully developed brain. The amount of tissues within the brain also continues to increase in large amounts. His hair that covers his head is also getting longer.

Week 27 (26th July)

Our little man is being a little bit of a monster this week, i think he is going to be a night owl. He's been so much more active these last few nights and he's been keeping me awake. I've felt some kicks right up by my ribcage which really isn't comfortable. On the positive side my boyfriend has been able to feel some of the kicks too and i've been able to watch him kicking from the outside which makes me chuckle.I have also found that i get out of breath a little easier and that my legs are still getting a bit crampy at night.

This week our little man's crown-to-rump length is about 9.6 inches and his total length is approximately 15.3 inches! He now weighs about 2 pounds 3 ounces and is going to grow rapidly during this last trimester. 13 weeks left to go. Some experts believe that babies begin to dream by the 28th week. How random is that? I wonder what my little man is dreaming about? If he is anything like his mummy it'll be nice things like cake and long cuddles in bed. He can also develop hiccups too.

Belly picture for this week :D

Weeks 25-26

Week 25 (12th July)
Well this week i turned 25. My birthday was on the 11th of July when i was 24+6. It seems so weird to think that this was my last birthday where i wont be a mummy. Many people said to me that it'll be the quietest birthday that i'll have in while.
Belly pictures for this week:

This week out little man weighs about 1.5 pounds (660g) and is approximately 13.5 inches (35cm) long from crown to heel. He makes breathing movements but has no air in his lungs yet. He can do more with his fingers now and can make a complete fist. As he becomes more dexterous, he will be able to touch and hold his feet. Also he will begin to prefer his left hand or right hand at this time. How cool is that!
We still haven't really thought of any names for our little man yet, we are struggling although i haven't really been thinking about it these last 2 weeks. Also i am getting a bit fed up of people giving me advice. Oh you should get a flat car seat (even though they don't last very long at all!) as its better for their back and posture, alternatively don't leave them in the car seat for ages, surely that makes sense! I know i should probably just get used to it being a first time mum and all.

Week 26 (19th July)

Overall not been too bad at all, heartburn is really kicking in now so Gaviscon Advance really is my new bet friend, for those of you who haven't tried it do!! I got some stuff through from the NCT too, i've got a place on the course in my village during september. Sounds weird but i'm really looking forward to it, not only the time off work but getting to meet other local mums due at the same time as me as i don't know any local mums at all.

Our little man this week crown-to-rump length is approximately 9.2 inches and he weighs almost 2 pounds. His eyes are blue at the moment but may change colors later in life. How weird is that, its true for all races because the pupils do not have their final color until a few months after birth, the shade of blue can vary though. I love random pieces of information like that.

Weeks 23-24

23 weeks (28th June)

Where on earth has the time gone? It sounds mad but i still don't feel that pregnant. This heat is mad. I just wish i could get some sleep at night, we've got a fan but it isn't helping that much.

These are some fetal MRI scans i found for 23-24 weeks, they are amazing!


If you fancy checking them out they are here:
http://radnet.bidmc.harvard.edu/fetalatlas/atlas.html

For 23 weeks our little man is supposed to weigh a little over one pound/ 500 grams, when we had the scan at 22+6 his estimated weight was 547g so not far off really. Weirdly the sonographer said that he was a little small but from that weight, he sounds good to me. He is supposed to measure about 11.4 inches (29 cms) from crown to heel. His hearing is well established and he can make out a distorted version of my voice, the beating of my heart and my stomach rumblings. Supposedly some studies indicate that unborn children prefer classical music, so maybe i should start listening to some and seeing if it makes him move around or anything.

Not much news, i'm still suffering with heartburn and Gaviscon advance is my new best friend. It tastes horrible but it works which is the main thing. Also i counted the days left until i go on maternity leave, 64 more working days left (13 weeks). It doesn't sound that much really.

24 weeks (5th July)
Overall not a bad week for me, not much happened, no appointments or anything. Have been feeling alright, sleeping ok mostly.

This week our little man weighs more than 1.3 pounds (600g), he still has little body fat and his skin is thin and fragile, he's now well-proportioned. His brain is growing rapidly, and he is starting to fill the space in my uterus. From crown to heel he could measure 11.8 inches (30 cm). His eyes are still shut and his ears are now in their final place.

I took some pictures of my belly again this week:

Rescan at 22 weeks and 6 days

Well i had another scan at 22+6 and it was amazing!! My little man has grown so much in the 2 weeks since we saw him last. We had an absolutely lovely sonographer this time, she explained everything to us and the scan wasn't rushed at all. It was sooo much more relaxed.

His estimated weight was 547g which is 1lb 3oz. All the measurements looked a bit better this time too. His belly isn't measuring as big this time, he appears to be measuring a little small for my dates though, the sonographer said it was nothing to worry about at all, he'll probably be about a 7lb baby thats all but there is plenty of time for that to change. I've got no problem with that, as long as he is healthy, thats all that matters.

This is one of my favourite pictures, just by the arrow is his little boy bits!! lol

We also got some lovely shots of his face too
Side profile:
We actually got a reason as to why our pictures aren't as clear as some others, i have an anterior high placenta which means the images they are getting is going through a bit of me and then the placenta which it makes it more difficult.

Weeks 21-22

Week 21 (14th June)
Firstly this week has been a good week, had my scan on friday, all is well with my little man! Wow that still sounds weird, i'm going to have a son. Our son's crown-to-rump length is 7.2 inches and he weighs about 10.5 ounces according to some places although at our scan they estimated 14 oz. He is about the size of a large banana.

His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed and the fingernails cover his fingertips. Also he can now hear our conversations. Also our little man has decided that mummy's bedtime is a good time to have a good old wriggle. I don't mind but it is making it that little bit harder to get to sleep. lol. He is also getting stronger and i'm sure some of his stronger movements are kicks, they do feel like it.

Week 22 (21st June)
Just a little update for the time between 21 and 22 weeks everything is good. Nothing too exciting to report in fairness. Little man is doing well. moving around and giving me heartburn but other than that he is good.

Our little man now looks like a miniature newborn and weighs almost one pound (430 grams), measures nearly 11 inches (27 cms) long from crown to heel. His lips are becoming more distinct and his eyes have developed; though the iris still lacks pigment, his eyebrows and eyelids are in place. His pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily and the first signs of teeth are showing beneath his gum line. Our little man's senses are developing daily, he now has a full complement of neurons in the brain and is learning about his body and surroundings through touch. Touch is one of the first senses to mature and he may stroke his face or feel his arms and legs. He is already starting to make antibodies too.
Also i'm getting another scan done!! My boyfriend's mum rang this week too as she was out with some girly friends, one of whom used to live across the road from her and works at the hospital where i had my scan actually in the ultrasound department. Then my boyfriends mum mentioned that i'd had my 20 week scan done and i'd had a bad scan experience. I was really disappointed with the pictures that the guy doing the scan didn't talk us through what he was looking at all the time which we found disappointing. She said that they'd had some complaints about the male radiographers recently (so it wasn't just me) and that if i wanted she could get me another scan organised for free WOOHOO!!! So excited!!

20 week scan

I had my 20 week scan on friday at 20+5, we found out we are on TEAM BLUE! Woohoo. I was right! I said to my boyfriend when i was about 6 weeks that it was going to be a boy.
My appointment was at 1.40pm, we got called in about 1.50 so only running 10 minutes late. Not bad at all.

Everything measured fine, all normal, well other than the belly measuring a little big but nothing to worry about in the slightest, the organs and everything were all fine. We got to see some great shots on the screen, especially one from above where our little boy looked like he was waving or doing jazz hands, lol. It was so nice seeing our little man again. It felt like it had been ages!

The only major disappointment was our pictures that we came away with. The man (yeah we had a male sonographer, never met one before) said he'd done some but when we went to go he couldn't find them so i had to get back on the bed for him to do a couple quickly. They were really rushed so not that good at all!
You can make out his head and chest and the blob by his mouth is his hand as he is sucking his thumb. We didn't get any full body shots or shots of the spine which i am quite disappointed with, I kinda feel a bit left out if that makes sense. No point complaining though, nothing i can do about it now.

18-20 weeks

18 weeks (24th May)
It was a bit of a busy weekend with the cheese rolling and everything. The tiredness has returned, boo!! Also the heartburn is becoming more frequent which isn't a good thing either. My belly is changing more now, changing shape and starting to look a bit more like a baby belly rather than just a bit podgier. lol. This was a picture i found for this week (although looking back i think its the same picture they use on the smoking during pregnancy posters, oh well).

Our tiny cakies is about 6 inches (14.2 cm) long and weighs about 7 ounces (190g). His/her chest moves up and down to mimic breathing but he/she's not taking in air, only amniotic fluid. I can feel him/her moving a lot more now and i find myself talking to my belly more, mad i know. Its around this time that so he/she will start to hear me though which i find so exciting. At the moment all he/she can hear is my heartbeat and the flow of my digestive system but soon he/she'll be able to detect noise outside the womb and identify my voice.
My boyfriend has started touching my belly a bit more often now which i think is quite sweet.

19 weeks (31st May)
Feeling alright, i was absolutely shattered yesterday, the heat is making it worse too. Went to my cousins wedding on friday and it was really nice, it was so nice to spend some time with my family.
This was a picture of my boyfriend and i there:
You have to excuse my hair by this point as it was towards the end of the day and the wind had blown it all over the place.
I took another belly picture too, from the side:

And from above:I have been feeling the baby move more too, Lee felt him/her move this week in my belly too, it was a special moment for him. I think he is feeling a little more involved now. I'm also definitely feeling more hungry too now. I guess our little one is stealing more of my food, i know he/she is stealing my energy. lol.

This week our little one is about 6 inches/15cm and weighs about 9oz at the moment. Sensory development reaches its peak this week. The nerve cells serving each of the senses -- taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch -- are now developing in their specialised areas of the brain. Nerve cell production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.

20 weeks (7th June)
Halfway!! Woohoo!!
I'm so excited! I've got my 20 week scan on friday (12th) when i'll be 20 weeks and 5 days but hey, its all good. I really hope our little one cooperates with us and shows us whether they are a girl or boy. Fingers crossed!! I'm so looking forward to being about to call our little one he or she.
We went shopping in Birmingham yesterday too which was rather tiring but my boyfriend was a star and carried the bags and everything bless him.
More belly pictures:


This week our little one is about 7 inches (18cm) long and weighs about 300-350g (10.5-12.3 oz). He/she is swallowing more this week, good practice for the digestive system. After he/she takes in amniotic fluid, his/her body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel.
Roll on friday!!

Cheese Rolling

Here's some pictures i took at the cheese rolling at Coopers Hill, Gloucester

Use your 4x4 for what its meant for!!

Uphill race - mental!!

In the bottom field - look at all the people, these were just the ones in this field, there were more behind us and even more actually at the foot of the hill.
Someone being brought down on a stretcher, they'd fallen out of the tree i believe, stupid person shouldn't of been up the tree in the first place.

You really do have to be mad to do this!!

Pretty Buttercup