Your baby is no longer an embryo! Though she's barely the size of a kumquat — just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, she now has completed the most critical portion of her development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in her body rapidly grow and mature. Her vital organs — the liver, kidney, intestines, brain, and lungs — are now in place and starting to function (although they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy). Her liver continues to make blood cells, and the yolk sac, which previously supplied these cells, is no longer needed and begins to disappear.
During the next three weeks, your baby's length will more than double to nearly 3 inches. Her head is proportionately smaller now than it was a few weeks ago, but it's still almost half the length of her entire body. Her forehead temporarily bulges with her developing brain and sits high on her head; it will later recede to give her a more human appearance. Each day, more minute details — including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair — start to appear on her body. Her fingers are now completely separated; her arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart; her legs are lengthening; and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. She is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking her legs.
If you could take a peek at your baby this week, you'd be able to clearly see the outline of her spine through her parchment-thin skin. Spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from her spinal cord.
Jennie is still encountering nausea each day after taking her vitamins. Last night, she had some "twinges in her hinges", but I think it was just gas. She should not feel the baby kicking for at least another 5 or 6 weeks, I believe.
"Top-selling product alert: a foldable, mirror brush..." - hehehehe
BEWARE if this product unfolds in your pocket, ouch!
LINK OF THE DAY: The Idea Generator...
Until tomorrow,
Dave T.
1 comment:
Dave- have Jennie ask her doctor if it is ok to take those vitamins @ night- sometimes the iron in the prenatal vitamins will cause nausea- just a thought! Take care!
Lizz
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